PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s blue-collar city workers strike enters its fourth day as the city holds its Independence Day celebrations and other events across the city.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel assured that the AFSCME District Council 33 strike would not impact safety for Fourth of July revelers.
“We are very, very skilled at putting on large-scale events,” he said. “We have four major events that will be occurring. We’ll have a large, large number of men and women down at the Art Museum and throughout Center City to address any issue.”
In addition to the parade and Welcome America concert and fireworks show on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, there is also a Phillies game and a FIFA soccer game on Friday.
“We have enhanced our posture beyond just the normal July Fourth,” said Bethel. “We are doing a little more than that just because of the elements at play,” like the strike and overall political climate.
“We work to that heightened alert. … The enhancement of police officers on location is to protect them.”
State troopers and other agencies are also on hand to assist.
The city promised festivities would go on without a hitch, though officials conceded that clean-up would be a challenge without sanitation workers on the job.
Several roads around the Parkway and Fairmount Park are closed throughout the day, including the stretch of Kelly Drive in and out of the city. SEPTA will have extra train service, but buses will be detoured.
“We will have an enhanced presence downtown to address anything that could unexpectedly occur,” Bethel added.
Strike enters Day 4
Mayor Cherelle Parker urged visitors and residents to enjoy the events, but she seemed stressed as she briefed reporters on Thursday, expressing outrage over misinformation about her own salary, which she said is less than the leadership of DC 33.
“I’ve been working for you, City of Philadelphia, and I’m not perfect, but for anyone saying to you that your mayor is not providing a fair offer for members of District Council 33, it’s just not right,” she said.
Parker said her offer of nearly 9% in raises over the next three years would cost the city $117 million, and that’s not including other perks she said she has offered. She said she refuses to put city finances in jeopardy.
“If that means I’m a one-term mayor, then so be it,” she said.
The union is seeking a four-year deal with 20% raises.
Meanwhile, the city’s trash drop-off sites will be closed on Friday due to the holiday.