Day 8: Philadelphia’s largest city workers’ union is on strike. Here’s the latest

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Philadelphia’s largest blue-collar union is on strike following weeks of negotiations over pay.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 represents 9,000 city workers, including sanitation workers, city mechanics, 911 dispatchers and school crossing guards.

This is the union’s first major strike in nearly 40 years, when a 20-day strike led to trash piling up on city streets.

What is the status of negotiations between AFSCME DC33 and the Parker administration?

Union members with Philly’s AFSCME District Council 33 are expected to go back to the negotiating table with city officials on Tuesday, July 8. This follows a meeting between city officials and union members on Saturday, July 5, at which the two groups failed to reach an agreement.

The union’s most recent request was for a three-year agreement with 5% wage increases each year – down from 20% over four years. At a Port Richmond sanitation center Monday, Greg Boulware, the president of DC33, told picketers that he has since adjusted the deal for new negotiations with the city. He explained he would not disclose the new deal details before presenting them to the city.

The Tuesday meeting will mark the eighth day of the strike. The union continued to negotiate with the city last week, but DC33 president Greg Boulware had not sounded optimistic anything would come of the talks.

In earlier reporting, Boulware also spoke to the city being granted an injunction that limits picketing.

“Clearly the city doesn’t want to negotiate in good faith with us by doing tactics like this to make sure that they diminish any opportunity for us to have an effective strike on the side of this city,” Boulware said.

Striking workers to residents: Don’t cross the picket line

Boulware says he hopes residents will refrain from dropping their trash at the temporary drop-off sites.

”I would hope that Philadelphians understand our plight,” he said, citing the city’s blue-collar roots and moniker as America’s “poorest big city.” DC33 workers are “taking a stand,” Boulware said. “Philadelphia is understanding about making stands.”

City sues to force some DC33 workers back to work

Most recently, a judge has ordered eight dispatchers working on the Philadelphia airports’ emergency response system to report back to work beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Terminal 3111, which is essentially the 911 for airport premises, has been operated by non-DC33 staffers since the beginning of the strike.

Eight DC33 dispatchers in Terminal 3111 were ordered to return to work to “ensure around-the-clock coverage.”

This is the fourth group of workers ordered back to work during the strike. On Tuesday, July 1, the city filed three requests for preliminary injunctions in the Court of Common Pleas related to the DC33 strike, which officials say were “successfully litigated.” Law Department representative Andrew Richman confirmed that 911 call center employees will return to work after a temporary restraining order was granted in that case. The injunction preventing the work stoppage of 911 employees was originally set for a week, but has now been extended indefinitely.

Essential Philadelphia Water Department workers who perform key functions were similarly ordered to return to work, and DC33 picketers were prohibited from blocking or obstructing access to municipal buildings.

Another hearing rescheduled for Thursday will address a petition filed by the city asking the court to hold DC 33 and Boulware in contempt of violation of a court order limiting picketing.

Why is AFSCME DC33 on strike?

Boulware says the city isn’t offering enough money for union workers to be able to live in Philadelphia.

“We got people that work and repair the water mains and can’t afford their water bill,” Boulware explained. “We got people that repair the runways at the airport and can’t afford a plane ticket. I don’t want to be rich. We just want a comfort inside the city that we serve daily.”

“When inflation is up and the cost of living is up 2%, 3% raises don’t change the narrative,” Boulware said.

When talks broke down late Monday night, the city was offering an 8% raise over three years. The union was seeking an 8% raise yearly.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement that the city “put its best offer on the table.”

“Unfortunately,” Parker wrote, “DC 33 did not accept it.”

Parker said the city remains committed to reaching a “fair and fiscally responsible contract” with the affected municipal workers.

No curbside trash or recycling collection; city opens temporary drop-off sites, as residents voice concerns

Sanitation and trash pickup services are operating with “modified capacity,” Parker said. The city is asking residents not to place trash out curbside.

“It’s going to pile up, pile up, pile up,” said Katie Williams, whose normal trash pickup day is Tuesday. By midday, trash bags full of garbage lined her West Philly street. “I hope they can come to some kind of agreement. They deserve more money.”

Williams worries the trash will attract rodents and other animals.

“It’s going to be mice and everything in your house,” she said, “and all kinds of insects — maggots everywhere.”

Trash has continued to pile up around the city, with some residents calling the system of dropping off trash and lack of trash collection “embarrassing and shocking.”

Where can Philly residents drop off their trash during the strike?

Residents may instead bring their trash to temporary drop-off locations across the city. The city is encouraging residents to do so on their regular trash day.

The drop-off sites will only take bagged trash and will not accept larger items like tires or construction debris. Officials are asking residents not to put recycling at the curb or the special drop-off sites.

If the work stoppage lingers and more capacity is needed, additional collection sites would be added, Parker said.

Grass clippings can be dropped off to be recycled into compost, which can be used for gardening, according to Carlton Williams, the city’s director of clean and green services. He also urged people to use garbage disposals instead of bagging leftover food waste.

West Philly resident Jack Day says the drop-off sites are not a realistic option for people like him who do not own vehicles. He hopes the city gives sanitation workers the raise they’re seeking.

“Most people don’t have cars and those that do, I doubt will be willing to bring it to one of the stations to get rid of it,” he said. “So, it’s just going to pile up.”

Scott Slade took his and some of his neighbors’ trash to a dumpster at a drop-off site in West Philly Tuesday. The retired correctional officer is a member of DC 33 and sees the drop-off sites as a good option.

“I hope the strike doesn’t last long,” he said. “Because this is going to be a real ugly situation.”

Parks & Rec services — including public pools — impacted

More than 60 city pools were expected to be open by the end of next week, according to the city. Only 26 will be fully available during the strike due to limited maintenance staffing. City spraygrounds remain available.

Recreation centers are open for reduced hours — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening programs are suspended, but summer camps will continue as scheduled.

Permitted events in park spaces should also expect limited cleaning, maintenance and gate access.

Philly library closures

All Philadelphia libraries — outside of branches experiencing long-term closures due to cooling issues or renovations — are closed due to the work stoppage as of Wednesday morning.

Prepare for slower 911 pick-up times

Emergency 911 call centers will remain operational, according to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, with officers being moved to handle complaint calls. However, he warned residents of longer-than-average pick-up times.

“One of the things we do expect is some wait times for 911 due to some of the shortages. Do not hang up,” Bethel said.

Reduced PWD workforce

The Philadelphia Water Department is operating with a reduced workforce. Staff will be “cross-training” to ensure drinking water and wastewater services continue uninterrupted, Parker said, though the mayor warned of service impacts and longer wait times for repairs.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health delays

Most services under the city public health department will remain available, but some health center services may be temporarily unavailable or delayed. Patients with upcoming appointments will be contacted regarding their status, the Parker administration said in a press release.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.