Philadelphia’s largest public sector union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33, reached a tentative deal with Mayor Cherelle Parker early Wednesday morning, effectively ending an eight-day strike that significantly impacted trash collection and various municipal services. At approximately 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time, the union announced, “The Strike is Over!” via its Facebook page, marking a significant achievement for the approximately 9,000 municipal employees it represents, including around 1,000 sanitation workers.
“This is great news for the dedicated men and women of AFSCME District Council 33 and for all tax-paying residents and businesses in Philadelphia,” Mayor Parker expressed in a social media statement. The strike began on July 1 and resulted in reduced municipal services, with public libraries closing and prolonged repair times for issues such as water main breaks and street cave-ins across the city.
The most pressing issue during the strike was the overflow of garbage, emanating unpleasant odors throughout neighborhoods. In an attempt to manage the growing trash heaps, the city resorted to employing private contractors alongside nonunion municipal staff, a strategy that faced significant criticism for its inefficacy.
Under the newly negotiated three-year contract, agreed upon by union representatives and city officials, union members would receive a total pay increase of 14 percent throughout the duration of Mayor Parker's four-year term. However, this deal remains contingent on ratification by the union’s members, who had been negotiating for a multiyear contract after the expiration of a one-year extension at the start of the month. While some union members were concerned about the wage increases not keeping pace with inflation, this strike represents the first substantial work stoppage by the union in nearly four decades.
This article was authored by Claire Moses, a Times reporter based in London, covering current events and breaking news.
