The City of Philadelphia’s initial contract proposal for its blue collar workers was dismissed yesterday as “Totally Ridiculous.” Marcia Gelbart of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports this morning that the city is offering zero wage increases and reductions in benefits for new hires. DC 33 union leader Pete Matthews says the economic crisis is temporary and he says  ”it seems like the city wants to do a permanent solution to temporary problems. We want temporary solutions to temporary problems.”

The city’s first contract proposal for DC 33, which represents 7,258 members include corrections officers, sanitation workers, and clerical employees, is considered a starting point for negotiations. The two sides have until June 30 to reach a new contract.

The city will also have to reach a labor agreement with its white collar union DC 47. The two other major city unions, that represent the city’s Firefighters and Police officers, also need new contracts but those will be settled through abitration.