Philadelphia's largest public sector union has successfully negotiated a new contract with city officials, concluding a significant strike that disrupted services and generated widespread community impact.
Philadelphia Public Workers Strike Ends with New Labor Agreement
Philadelphia Public Workers Strike Ends with New Labor Agreement
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 reaches a deal with the city, restoring services after an eight-day work stoppage.
Philadelphia's public workers can finally return to their duties following a tentative labor agreement reached early Wednesday morning between the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 33 and Mayor Cherelle Parker. The eight-day strike, which began on July 1, led to major disruptions in municipal services, including garbage collection, leaving trash piled high across the city.
The AFSCME District Council 33, representing approximately 9,000 municipal workers, including many sanitation employees, announced the end of the strike on their Facebook page around 4:30 a.m. Eastern. Mayor Parker expressed her relief in a social media statement, stating, "I have good news tonight for the hard-working men and women of AFSCME District Council 33, and for every taxpaying resident and business in Philadelphia."
The strike forced the city to make tough decisions, such as closing public libraries, limiting agency programs, and extending repair times for city infrastructure issues. As garbage overflowed on the streets, the city faced criticism for its plan to hire private contractors and nonunion workers to manage the situation.
The newly negotiated three-year contract includes a substantial pay increase of 14 percent for union members during Mayor Parker's administration. However, the agreement must still be ratified by the union's members. Prior to the strike, workers were on a one-year extension that expired at the beginning of July and were pushing for a longer-term contract to address wages that officials claimed were failing to keep pace with rising inflation.
This strike marked a notable event in the labor movement, as it was the first prolonged work stoppage by the union in nearly four decades. With the deal in place, both city officials and union members are hopeful that normalcy will return to Philadelphia's public services.
