AFSCME District Council 33 President Greg Boulware said in a video posted Saturday on social media that the union's members are deserving of their "fair share." As of Monday morning, no agreement in the strike negotiations has been reached. (Credit: AFSCME District Council 33 Facebook)
AFSCME District Council 33, representing 9,000 Philadelphia city employees, rejected Mayor Cherelle Parker's wage proposal Monday night as negotiations reached an impasse ahead of Tuesday's deadline, setting the stage for a potential citywide strike, FOX29 reported.
The union announced the breakdown in talks through a social media post declaring "NO DEAL!" in bold red letters, stating that despite "minor agreements made on less significant issues," the city's financial offer failed to meet workers' core expectations regarding wages, pension improvements and healthcare benefits.
Mayor Parker had promoted her administration's offer as the largest wage increase proposed by any Philadelphia mayor during their first term in over 30 years. Historical data shows previous first-term mayors delivered varying increases: Ed Rendell provided 5%, John Street offered 9%, Michael Nutter implemented no wage increases and Jim Kenney approved an 11.5% raise for District Council 33 members, FOX29 reported.
"I am unapologetically a pro-union, pro-labor, and pro-worker mayor," Parker said in recent statements. "I will always support the men and women in our city who pick up our trash, clean our streets, care for our most vulnerable citizens, provide healthcare to residents, run into burning buildings to save people, and put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve the people of our great city.”
However, union representatives indicated that wage percentages alone were insufficient to address their members' concerns. DC 33 represents critical city workers, including sanitation employees, water department staff and 911 dispatchers, who have demanded both higher wages and significant pension improvements, NBC10 reported.
In their statement, the union expressed regret over the failed negotiations, noting that "the city administration remains firm on its stance and is still unwilling to present a financial offer that meets our expectations and is acceptable to our valued members." The union emphasized that key issues affecting workers and their families "were not adequately addressed."
AFSCME DC 33 President Greg Boulware said the city’s wage offer falls far short of the union’s demands. In a video posted online Saturday, he vowed to keep fighting for what he called workers’ “fair share.”
“Our members of DC 33 make an average salary of $46,000 a year. The cost to live in Philadelphia for one single person is $60,000 a year. Our members do not make enough money to afford those costs,” Boulware said. “We recognize the mayor has signed a 5 percent agreement just back in the fall. We had to fight for that. We now are having to stand up and fight for more.”
The union announced plans to proceed with a Monday rally and expects to begin striking at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning, if no agreement is reached. Essential city services, including garbage collection, water services, and emergency dispatch, will face significant disruptions.
The union’s last strike occurred in 1986, when piles of trash, reportedly amounting to tens of thousands of pounds, sat uncollected on Philadelphia streets for over two weeks.
As of Monday morning, District Council 33 posted on their social media pages that they are still at the negotiating table. The union will host a rally at 5 p.m. Monday at City Hall.
Both sides acknowledged the challenging period ahead, with the union stating they would "strive to achieve a fair and equitable agreement that honors your contributions and secures a brighter future for everyone involved."
A DC 33 officer told phillydaily.com that they are not yet ready to make a statement.
The breakdown in negotiations marks a significant early test for Parker's administration and her stated commitment to labor relations in Philadelphia.
