Philly's On Strike Is Your Trash Going to Rot?

Philadelphia Faces Disruption as Thousands of City Workers Go on Strike

Philadelphia is grappling with significant disruptions to essential city services as nearly **10,000** blue-collar workers represented by District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have walked off the job. The strike, which began on Tuesday, stems from a dispute over wages and benefits and is already impacting trash collection, recreation facilities, and even emergency services.

The strike was announced early Tuesday morning on the union's Facebook page, with a rallying cry to "**HOLD THE LINES.**" Striking workers have since been seen picketing at key locations, including:
* City Hall
* Libraries
* Police Stations
* Various other workplaces

Impact on City Services

Mayor Cherelle Parker has acknowledged the strike's impact, announcing the suspension of residential trash collection and reduced hours for recreation centers and city pools. While police and firefighters are not part of DC33, the union's membership includes vital personnel such as 911 dispatchers and water department workers, raising concerns about potential delays in emergency response and other critical services.

Mayor Parker's Response

Despite the strike, Mayor Parker, a Democrat with a pro-labor stance, has assured residents that the city will continue to function and that planned Fourth of July celebrations will proceed as scheduled. "Keep your holiday plans. Don’t leave the city," she stated at a recent news conference.

Parker maintains that the city has presented its "best offer" to the union, which includes raises totaling **13%** over her four-year term, incorporating a 5% increase from last year. The city also proposed adding a fifth step to the pay scale to align with other unionized workers.

Key Points of Contention

The union's initial contract proposal includes several key demands:
* **8% annual raises** for each year of the three-year contract.
* Cost-of-living adjustments.
* Bonuses of up to **$5,000** for workers who served throughout the pandemic.
* The city to cover the full cost of employee health care, estimated at **$1,700 per person per month.**

District Council 33 argues that its members deserve fair compensation for their dedication and hard work. "District Council 33’s members contribute as much blood, sweat and tears as does anyone else," the union stated in a demand letter. "We all make the city work. Our contract must reflect that reality."

Lessons from the Past

The current situation evokes memories of a previous DC33 trash strike in 1986, which lasted three weeks and resulted in significant public health concerns due to uncollected garbage piling up across the city. City officials are now urging residents to be patient and have announced plans to open drop-off sites for residential trash.

As negotiations continue, the people of Philadelphia are left to navigate the disruptions caused by this labor dispute. The outcome will undoubtedly have lasting effects on the city's workforce and the delivery of essential public services. The city has urged residents to be patient and not hang up should they need to call either 911 or the city’s nonemergency helpline. They said they would open drop-off sites for residential trash.

Ultimately, a swift and equitable resolution is needed to restore normalcy and ensure the well-being of both the city's workers and its residents.

Tags: Philadelphia strike, city workers, labor dispute, wage demands, union strike, public workers, job action, city services, AFSCME, Cherelle Parker

Source: https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-labor-strike-trash-911-july-4-969cfa2d8f9695b199013690ad694555