PHILADELPHIA (AP/ KYW Newsradio) — About 9,000 city workers in Philadelphia who collect trash, answer 911 calls, maintain city pools and perform other jobs went on strike Tuesday after contract negotiations broke down.
AFSCME District Council 33 announced the strike on its Facebook page early Tuesday, saying “HOLD THE LINES.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city would suspend residential trash collection, close some city pools and shorten recreation center hours, but vowed to keep the city running. Police and firefighters are not on strike.
Parker, a pro-labor Democrat, promised that Fourth of July celebrations in the nation’s birthplace would go on as usual.
“Keep your holiday plans. Don’t leave the city," she said at a Monday afternoon news conference that followed hours of last-minute negotiations.
Parker said in a statement early Tuesday that the city had “put its best offer on the table” but District Council 33 hadn't accepted 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," Parker said. “We are ready, willing and able to resume negotiations with the union at their convenience.”
City officials urged residents to be patient and not hang up should they need to call either 911 or the city’s non-emergency helpline. The city said services provided by the Public Health, Water and Streets departments could also face issues like slower response times.
There’s no trash pickup, but the city has opened 60-plus drop-off sites. Recycling is only accepted at six sanitation convenience centers.
Only 24 of the city’s 60-plus pools are open, and rec centers have limited hours.
At the airport, flights shouldn’t be affected, but custodial and maintenance in the building will be.
Parker said she had offered raises that amount to 13% over her four-year term and added a fifth step to the pay scale to align with other unionized workers. District Council 33 is the largest of four unions representing city workers.
Union leaders, in their initial contract proposal, asked for 8% annual raises each year of the three-year contract, along with cost-of-living hikes and bonuses of up to $5,000 for those who worked through the pandemic. The union also asked the city to pay the full cost of employee health care, or $1,700 per person per month.
“District Council 33’s members contribute as much blood, sweat and tears as does anyone else,” they said in a demand letter. “We all make the city work. Our contract must reflect that reality.”
This is the first DC 33 strike in nearly 40 years. The last strike lasted 20 days — and garbage piled up in the summer heat. It’s not clear when the union and the city will sit down for more talks.
In November, SEPTA averted a strike when the parties agreed to a one-year contract with 5% raises.