PHILADELPHIA — Almost 10,000 metropolis staff in Philadelphia who acquire trash, reply 911 calls, keep metropolis swimming pools and carry out different jobs went on strike Tuesday after contract negotiations broke down.
District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees introduced the strike on its Fb web page early Tuesday, saying “HOLD THE LINES.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker stated town would droop residential trash assortment, shut some metropolis swimming pools and shorten recreation middle hours, however vowed to maintain town working. Police and firefighters will not be on strike.
Parker, a pro-labor Democrat, promised that Fourth of July celebrations within the nation’s birthplace would go on as regular.
“Preserve your vacation plans. Don’t go away town,” she stated at a Monday afternoon information convention that adopted hours of last-minute negotiations.
Parker stated in an announcement early Tuesday that town had “put its greatest supply on the desk” however District Council 33 hadn’t accepted it.
“The Metropolis of Philadelphia stays dedicated to reaching a good and fiscally accountable contract with our municipal staff who’re part of DC 33,” Parker stated. “We’re prepared, keen and capable of resume negotiations with the union at their comfort.”
Metropolis officers urged residents to be affected person and never cling up ought to they should name both 911 or town’s nonemergency helpline. They stated they might open drop-off websites for residential trash.
Parker stated she had provided raises that quantity to 13% over her four-year time period and added a fifth step to the pay scale to align with different unionized staff. District Council 33 is the most important of 4 unions representing metropolis staff.
Union leaders, of their preliminary contract proposal, requested for 8% annual raises annually of the three-year contract, together with cost-of-living hikes and bonuses of as much as $5,000 for many who labored by the pandemic. The union additionally requested town to pay the complete price of worker well being care, or $1,700 per particular person per 30 days.
“District Council 33’s members contribute as a lot blood, sweat and tears as does anybody else,” they stated in a requirement letter. “All of us make town work. Our contract should mirror that actuality.”
In November, town transit system averted a strike when the events agreed to a one-year contract with 5% raises.