Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration and AFCME DC 33 hold second meeting since strike began, but no agreement reached yet.
In a community college campus in West Philadelphia, Union President Greg Boulware convened a team to strategize regarding the ongoing strike involving the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 (DC 33). This strike marks the first of its kind for city workers in Philadelphia since 1986, reflecting significant tensions between the union and the administration led by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.
As negotiations reached their fifth day, representatives from both sides were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract, leaving over 9,000 DC 33 members—including essential frontline workers such as trash collectors, street pavers, and 911 dispatchers—continued on strike. The city had previously proposed a three-year contract that included annual raises of no more than 3%, which Parker stated would amount to a cost of approximately 5 million for Philadelphia. Contrarily, Boulware had sought a four-year contract featuring raises of 5% per annum.
Recent discussions appeared to yield some hope for resolution when Boulware put forth a revised proposal that indicated a potential softening of his position on wage increases. This shift represented the first movement in negotiations since the strike commenced at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday. However, the specifics of Boulware’s updated offer remained unclear, as did whether Mayor Parker’s administration had made any new counter-proposals.
On the ground, additional pressure to resolve the situation mounted from various stakeholders, including Bob Brady, chairman of the Democratic City Committee. In a recent public statement, Brady urged both parties to prioritize dialogue over ego, highlighting the critical condition of waste accumulation in the city due to ongoing strike action. His close ties to labor organizations and previous collaborations with Mayor Parker were underscored, yet he expressed frustration over communication barriers with her office during the strike.
In parallel, the city is also in negotiations with AFSCME District Council 47, representing approximately 3,000 white-collar municipal employees. As this union prepares for its own strike-authorization vote, it remains unclear whether its leadership is seeking to align with DC 33’s fight. Local 2187, the only council within DC 47 legally allowed to strike, has expressed a commitment to keeping members informed during this transitional period.
As the situation evolves, many eyes remain on both the negotiations at hand and the potential for further actions from municipal workers across Philadelphia. The outcome of this labor dispute, rooted in critical issues of pay and working conditions, will not only impact union members but could also set precedents for future labor negotiations in similar sectors.
