In a significant development for Philadelphia's labor landscape, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced on social media early Wednesday morning that the work stoppage involving District Council 33 (DC33) and the City of Philadelphia is officially over. This announcement follows a marathon negotiation session that took place on Tuesday between city officials and the union representing blue-collar workers responsible for essential services like trash pick-up.
After a grueling 12-hour negotiation session, DC33 President Greg Boulware expressed his exhaustion but emphasized the necessity of the discussions. “We did what we had to do,” Boulware stated. He highlighted the complexities surrounding the negotiations, asserting that the union ultimately acted in the best interests of its members. The tentative contract agreement appears to be a significant victory for the city, as it aligns closely with Mayor Parker's objectives.
The agreement includes a 3% raise each year over the three-year term of the contract. When factoring in an additional 5% increase that the city agreed to last year to extend DC33’s contract by one year, the total pay increase for union members during Parker’s four-year term will reach 14%. However, this increase falls short of the 32% total pay hike the union initially sought.
Despite the progress, Boulware reminded his members of the challenges they faced during the negotiations. “Your union stood up and fought for you, and we did the best we can with the circumstances we had in front of us,” he said. One of the pressing issues was the looming paycheck that workers were set to miss on Thursday, which added urgency to the negotiations.
Union officials have advised workers to return to their jobs while awaiting a ratification vote on the new contract. This strike, which began on July 1, involved approximately 9,000 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33. It has led to significant consequences, including the accumulation of trash across city streets and designated drop-off sites.
The strike also affected local events, most notably altering the city’s annual Fourth of July concert. Headliners LL Cool J and city native Jazmine Sullivan both withdrew from the event, highlighting the widespread impact of the labor dispute.
As the city and union move forward, the focus will shift to the ratification of the agreement and the restoration of normal services for Philadelphia residents. This tentative agreement marks a pivotal moment for city workers and the administration as they seek to rebuild trust and cooperation.
