NEED TO KNOW
- Negotiations between union District Council 33 and the City of Philadelphia fell through, prompting a strike action on July 1
- The union is seeking an 8% pay increase annually as part of a four-year deal
- Mayor Cherelle Parker said that the city is “laser-focused” on providing essential city services to residents amid the work stoppage
One of Philadelphia’s largest unions that represents about 9,000 city employees — including sanitation workers, crossing guards and 911 dispatchers — is now on strike after negotiations with the city were unsuccessful.
The work stoppage went into effect right at 12:01 a.m., local time, Tuesday, July 1, according to District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, whose Facebook post read: “DISTRICT COUNCIL 33 IS NOW ON STRIKE!! HOLD THE LINES.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker also confirmed the strike in a news release issued early Tuesday morning, writing: “The City of Philadelphia put its best offer on the table tonight; unfortunately, DC 33 did not accept it.”
“The City of Philadelphia remains committed to reaching a fair and fiscally responsible contract with our municipal workers who are a part of DC 33,” she continued.
As reported by ABC affiliate WPVI, District Council 33 is asking for an 8% pay increase annually as part of a four-year deal. The city, however, is proposing a 7% raise over three years.
The local outlet reported that union members were seen rallying outside of City Hall as the midnight deadline approached.
Greg Boulware, the president of District Council 33, said, per public radio station WHYY, that it has become difficult for union workers to reside in Philadelphia when the city is not paying them enough.
“We got people that work and repair the water mains and can’t afford their water bill,” Boulware said. “We got people that repair the runways at the airport and can’t afford a plane ticket. I don’t want to be rich. We just want comfort inside the city that we serve daily.”
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A recent attempt at negotiations stalled, said District Council 33 in a letter to members posted on Saturday, June 28.
“Despite our best efforts to advocate on your behalf,” the union wrote at the time, “the lack of progress on critical matters such as fair wages and comprehensive healthcare benefits remains a significant concern. These issues are at the core of our negotiations, and we are committed to ensuring they are not overlooked.”
The union’s 9,000 members work in such areas as sanitation, street maintenance, police dispatch and the airport, NBC affiliate WCAU reported.
Meanwhile, Mayor Parker said in her recent statement that the city is “laser-focused” on providing essential city services to residents following the strike.
“We will continue to ensure that public health and safety is our number one priority,” she said. “This includes, but is not limited to, police and fire services, sanitation services, water services, water, recreation, and streets — all of these essential services and others will continue to be provided by the City of Philadelphia to all of our residents and neighborhoods.”
At a news conference on Monday, June 30, Parker said that the city’s Fourth of July celebrations would continue as scheduled, per The Associated Press: “Keep your holiday plans. Don’t leave the city.”
The city had previously shared a contingency plan in case the strike happened. It announced there would be no residential pickup of trash and recyclable materials effective Tuesday, and that 63 temporary drop-off locations will be open for residents to drop off garbage.
The city also said that 911 call centers for emergency dispatch will remain open, and operators will continue to take calls. It added that Philadelphia International Airport will still be operational.
Municipal pools will be affected by the stoppage, the city said, with only 24 of its 62 pools being fully available.
Parker said in her statement that despite the strike, the city will be “ready, willing and able to resume negotiations with the union.”
Asked by a reporter on how long the strike will last, union president Boulware said, “Hopefully the city understands how pivotal our people are and come to the table soon with a deal that makes sense for all of us.”
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