Philadelphia city workers strike after contract talks fail

PHILADELPHIA AP Nearly city workers in Philadelphia who collect trash answer calls maintain city pools and perform other jobs went on strike Tuesday after contract negotiations broke down District Council of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees communicated the strike on its Facebook page early Tuesday saying HOLD THE LINES Mayor Cherelle Parker noted the city would suspend residential trash collection close several city pools and shorten recreation center hours but vowed to keep the city running Police and firefighters are not on strike Parker a pro-labor Democrat promised that Fourth of July celebrations in the nation s birthplace would go on as usual Keep your holiday plans Don t leave the city she reported at a Monday afternoon news conference that followed hours of last-minute negotiations City bureaucrats urged residents to be individual and not hang up should they need to call either or the city s non-emergency helpline They explained they would open drop-off sites for residential trash Parker announced she had offered raises that amount to over her four-year term and added a fifth step to the pay scale to align with other unionized workers District Council of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees is the largest of four unions representing city workers We believe it s a fair offer and still fiscally responsible for the people of this city declared Parker who took office last year Union leaders in their initial contract proposal solicited for annual raises each year of the three-year contract along with cost-of-living hikes and bonuses of up to for those who worked through the pandemic The union also sought the city to pay the full cost of employee wellness care or per person per month District Council s members contribute as much blood sweat and tears as does anyone else they reported in a demand letter We all make the city work Our contract must reflect that reality In November the city transit system averted a strike when the parties agreed to a one-year contract with raises Source