Philadelphia Largest City Workers' Union Begins Strike Impacting City Services

Philadelphia's largest blue-collar union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 (AFSCME DC 33), began striking at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, marking the first major city worker strike in nearly 40 years after contract negotiations with Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration failed. The union, representing about 9,000 municipal workers including sanitation, 911 dispatchers, and water department staff, is demanding an 8% annual pay raise over four years and improved health care benefits, while the city offered a total 12% increase over the same period. The strike has led to the suspension of regular trash and recycling pickup, with the city setting up 63 temporary drop-off sites and urging residents not to place trash at curbs. Essential services like 911 call centers, water, and wastewater services continue to operate but with potential delays and reduced staffing, and public pools will be partially closed. Mayor Parker emphasized that Independence Day celebrations will proceed as planned despite the strike. Union president Greg Boulware highlighted that members, who are among the lowest-paid municipal workers and predominantly Black, feel undervalued and cannot afford to continue without better compensation.