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Philadelphia’s largest blue-collar union could strike Tuesday, potentially disrupting essential city services like trash collection. However, city officials say they have a contingency plan ready.
On Monday, AFSCME District Council 33 walked out of contract talks, saying the city’s offer was insufficient to justify continued negotiations. Disagreements appear to be over wages and work rules, with the city offering 7% over three years and the union seeking nearly 20% over the same period.
AFSCME District Council 33 President Greg Boulware held up a list of pay raises members of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration received during her first term so far, including herself receiving a 9% pay increase. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
During a rally at City Hall, Union President Greg Boulware criticized the actions of city leaders, specifically Mayor Cherelle Parker, holding up a list of various pay increases implemented throughout her administration.
“The workers who provide all the comforts for people don’t have any comforts of their own,” Boulware said. “We’ve got people that work and repair the water mains and can’t afford their water bill. We’ve got people that repair the runways at the airport and can’t afford a plane ticket.”
The union represents 9,000 city employees, ranging from sanitation workers, city maintenance staff, 911 dispatchers and school crossing guards. If an agreement isn’t reached, it would be the first time the union has walked in almost 40 years, when a 20-day strike resulted in trash piling up on city streets.
“We are prepared to stay at the table to achieve a contract that honors our employees while safeguarding the city’s financial stability for all Philadelphians,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said Monday.
Boulware said a new contract would be “a victory for Philadelphia.”
“We need to continue the groundwork to move forward and that’s where we are,” Boulware said. “We’re taking a step forward, not backwards. We can’t go backwards. We can’t afford to go backwards. We don’t want to go on strike, we’ve got to go on strike.”
911 will remain operational, but prepare for slower pick-up times
City leaders said they are prepared for the potential work stoppage. 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.