PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s largest union representing blue-collar workers has called for a strike vote next week as it negotiates with the city for a new contract.
AFSCME District Council 33’s contract expires at the end of this month, but it’s getting out in front on the strike threat strategy with this authorization vote, scheduled for Tuesday, June 10. The announcement on its website says “enough is enough” and “prepare to fight,” but President Greg Boulware was not available for comment.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said she is pro-labor and wants fair contracts for all four municipal unions. In fact, she has asked City Council for a $500 million labor reserve fund to provide for increases in the new contracts. Police and firefighters could get a big chunk of that as they will likely go to arbitration.
“[The] first time in the history of the city that you’ve ever seen such a significant pot appropriated in advance in the budget that the mayor proposed,” she said.
District Council 33 was the last union to agree to a one-year extension when its contract expired in 2024.
Parker said she is negotiating in good faith.
“I’m committed to do everything that is possible to ensure a fiscally responsible and fair multi-year contract,” she added. “That’s the goal of this administration.”
All four municipal unions have contracts expiring at the end of June.