PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — AFSCME District Council 47, the union that represents thousands of white-collar workers in Philadelphia, has reached a tentative agreement with the city, the trade union announced early Tuesday morning.
Union President April Gigetts, sitting with about a dozen other union officials, said the deal was made after a marathon session of negotiations.
“Council 47 family, it is now 5:30 in the morning. We’ve been going all night. Good news — we have got a TA!” Gigetts said to cheers. “And you’re gonna love it.”
The announcement came hours after Local 2187, the only chapter of DC 47 that can legally strike, wrapped up a four-day period of voting on a strike authorization. Union leaders recommended that members vote “yes” because the city’s offer was considered unacceptable.
The union had been pushing for annual raises of 8%, but the city’s offer was a combined 8% over three years — 2.5% in Year 1 and 2, and 3% in Year 3.
In a statement, Mayor Cherelle Parker said this deal is good news for DC 47 members and the Philadelphia taxpayers. Including the one-year extension DC 47 signed last year, she said workers are getting a 13.5% raise during her term in office.
The workers got 4.4% last year, so it averages out to about 3% a year for the next three years.
The union also wanted changes to health care as well as work and scheduling rules. It is not yet clear if there was any movement on those issues.
The union represents about 6,000 government employees, including librarians, social workers, and staffers with the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Philadelphia Housing Authority, and other agencies.
This tentative agreement comes on the heels of the end of the District Council 33 strike that lasted for eight days. DC 33 and the city reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract with 3% annual raises.
DC 33 members began voting on ratification on Monday. They have until Sunday to cast their ballots.