AFSCME DC 33 members reach contract agreement with the city after an eight-day strike.

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 33 have ratified a tentative contract agreement negotiated with the administration of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, significantly averting a potential strike among city workers. The results of the vote were released by the union on Monday, revealing that 1,535 members, approximately 64% of those who cast their votes, supported the agreement, while 838 opposed it. The voting process took place over the course of a week.

This ratification marks a pivotal moment in Philadelphia’s labor history, concluding a tense period characterized by an eight-day strike that left untended trash scattered across the city, images that will likely linger in the public’s memory. The impact of this labor dispute on Mayor Parker’s broader agenda remains uncertain, particularly in light of the public friction between her administration and a significant portion of the city workforce.

With the contract approved, District Council 33 is legally barred from striking for the next three years, at which point a new agreement will need to be negotiated. If Mayor Parker seeks and secures reelection, this timeframe would coincide with the initiation of her second term.

In a message accompanying the announcement of the voting results, DC 33 President Greg Boulware expressed gratitude to members for their participation in the ratification process. He indicated that the American Arbitration Association had certified the results, allowing for bonuses to be issued by the City.

The newly ratified contract stipulates a 3% annual wage increase for DC 33 members over the next three years along with a one-time bonus of ,500. The agreement also introduces a fifth pay scale step for most union members and a third step specifically for school crossing guards.

This contract is effective retroactively to July 1, 2023. Had members rejected the tentative agreement, negotiations would have resumed, and the possibility of a renewed strike would have remained on the table. However, union leaders would have had the option to pursue or forgo a strike based on circumstances.

Additionally, the agreement maintains the existing structure for the city’s contributions to the DC 33 Health & Welfare Fund, with the city committing ,500 per employee per month. Notably, members will also gain an increase in the number of sick days from five to six in a 12-month period, as well as new bereavement leave provisions.

The decision to approve the tentative agreement follows a historical context where DC 33 last faced a similar choice in 1986, a time marked by significant dissatisfaction among workers regarding negotiations. Numerous voices within the labor community, including historians, have remarked on the complexities surrounding union decisions in the modern political landscape.

While some members express disappointment with the agreement, many viewed the ratification as a realistic response to the current situation, especially in a post-strike context. As the city moves forward, the ramifications of this agreement will continue to shape relationships between the administration and its workforce in the years to come.

Media News Source asserts that the developments within AFSCME DC 33 and the implications of the contract agreement will be closely monitored, as they bear significant relevance to labor relations in local governance.