Teamsters Local 174, representing garbage truck drivers in King and Snohomish counties, appear to be on the brink of a settlement, which would avoid a strike affecting Maple Valley, Covington, Black Diamond and the surrounding area.

Reports came in about 6 p.m. today, March 31, the union had settled with Allied Waste Services, one of the companies involved in the negotiations.

The union has been negotiating with Allied, which is owned by Republic Services with corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Ariz. and Waste Management, which is based in Houston, Texas.

Peg Mulloy, spokeswoman for Republic Services and Michael Gonzales, spokesman for Local 174, confirmed a tentative agreement had been reached between the union and Allied.

The agreement will need to be ratified by the members.

“Both sides agreed there will not be a work stoppage and there will be no interruption in services,” Mulloy said.

The drivers’ contract expires at midnight tonight, March 31.

Talks are continuing with Waste Management.

“We see this as a critical time in the negotiations,” Jackie Lang said, spokeswoman for Waste Management. “We are ready to make the deal happen.”