District Council 33 goes on strike after not reaching deal with City of Philadelphia
Mayor Parker says DC-33 turned down city's 'historic' offer
Mayor Cherelle Parker says the District Council 33 union workers have turned down a 'historic' offer from the city that she believes is 'fair and fiscally responsible.'
PHILADELPHIA - The City of Philadelphia’s largest union, District Council 33, has not reached a deal with the city, prompting an immediate strike.
What we know:
Contract negotiations resumed at 8 p.m. Monday as the threat of a strike to begin at midnight loomed.
Despite Mayor Cherelle Parker touting the city's latest contract offer over the weekend, as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, a deal has not been reached.
DC 33 is now on strike until the union and the city can agree on a contract.
The mayor said the previous offer would have given District Council 33 the largest pay raise that a Philly mayor has ever extended in their first term in over 30 years.
In her first year alone, Parker said the city and the union agreed to a 5% pay increase – the largest one-year wage bump that the union has seen in three decades.
"For an average District Council 33 worker, that means an average annual pay increase of $2,383," Parker said. "If the workforce of District Council 33 accepts the proposal that we have already put on the table for them, their pay increase will total over 12%."
Parker doubled down on Monday, saying the city remains at the negotiating table and believed their offer was "fair and fiscally responsible."
However, Mayor Parker's offer was not enough.
The DC 33 union encompasses more than 9,000 Philadelphia City workers.
What will happen if DC33 goes on strike?
From trash pick-up to 911 calls, many services will be impacted if the city's largest union, District Council 33, goes on strike.
These hard workers include sanitation employees, crossing guards, rec center employees, library workers, 911 dispatch operators and more.
The strike comes just before one of Philadelphia's most popular holidays – Independence Day – when thousands will gather in the city to celebrate.
Mayor Parker and city leaders gathered Monday to provide an update on the ongoing contract negotiations with DC33.
They put together this contingency plan in the event that a strike would begin.
As pressure to get a deal done before the upcoming holiday mounts, District Council 33 members have stood firm on their demands for better wages and pensions.
What they're saying:
Mayor Parker provides update after District Council 33 work stoppage
Mayor Cherelle Parker and more city officials provide an update in light of the District Council 33 strike.
Mayor Parker and city officials provided an update on the strike and the city's response in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
"We put on the table for the hard-working members of District Council, 33, an historic offer. Philadelphia a four-year pay increase over my first term that totals over 13 percent, more than any other mayor has in one term and over 30 years offered to district council 33 during contract negotiations. We believe it's a fair offer and it's still fiscally responsible for the people of this city," said Mayor Parker.
"In addition to that historic pay increase, we offer an expansion of District Council 33's pay plan or pay scale. And that is to offer what we've referred to as a fifth step. The proposed creation of a new fifth step in the District Council 33 pay plan. It's a significant advancement for our workforce," the mayor continued.
The city filed three preliminary injunctions in the Court of Common Pleas in relation to the District Council 33 work stoppage.
The injunctions targeted 911 dispatch employees, water department employees and those involved in disturbing picketing.
Mayor Parker also addressed sanitation.
"Residents should refrain from placing any trash or recycling out for curbside collection until further notice. We are arranging for 63 temporary drop-off locations around Philadelphia where our residents can bring their trash," she said.
Philly strike: Where to drop off your trash as District Council 33 goes on strike
Curbside trash and recycling collection have been suspended in Philadelphia amid the District Council 33 strike. Here's where you can drop off your trash:
In her closing statements, the mayor reiterated that she wants nothing more than to reach an agreement with the union.
"The city of Philadelphia can't get to the negotiating table and sit there and negotiate with ourselves. That's just impossible. We have to have District Council 33 at the table. I've said to the city of Philadelphia, on multiple occasions, that I want nothing more than for us to reach a fair and fiscally responsible agreement," said Mayor Parker.