Philadelphia City Workers Strike Concludes with New Agreement

PHILADELPHIA -- A significant strike involving city workers in Philadelphia has come to an end as a tentative agreement was reached between the city and the union representing nearly 10,000 employees. The work stoppage began on July 1 and had a major impact on residential trash collection and other municipal services. The union, District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, had initiated the strike in pursuit of improved wages and benefits following unsuccessful contract negotiations with the city.

The announcement of the agreement was made on what would have marked the ninth day of the strike, a period that coincided with the Fourth of July holiday weekend, leading to a significant accumulation of waste in the city. Overflowing drop-off centers were reported as residents struggled with the halted trash collection services. Mayor Cherelle Parker shared the news of the strike's conclusion via social media, indicating a resolution had been achieved.

"We have reached a tentative agreement with District Council 33," the Mayor stated. "This new three-year contract, combined with the one-year extension we agreed to last fall, will result in a 14 percent salary increase for union members over my four-year term."

Details of the agreement are expected to be disclosed at a later date. District Council 33 stands as the largest of the four major unions representing city workers, encompassing a diverse range of employees, including 911 dispatchers, sanitation workers, and water department personnel. Notably, police and firefighters were not involved in this strike.

In the days leading up to the agreement, courts had intervened, ordering certain essential city personnel back to work, particularly those involved in the management of the 911 centers, water services, and airport operations. Following the announcement of the deal, the union confirmed the end of the strike through their social media channels, indicating that further details would be forthcoming.

Union President Greg Boulware addressed the media briefly, expressing that they had maximized their efforts under the current circumstances. During the strike, the city had designated approximately 60 locations for residents to drop off their trash, but many of these sites became overloaded as striking workers urged community members not to cross the picket lines. Additionally, many public libraries remained closed due to the absence of support staff and security personnel.