AFSCME District Council 47 and Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, avoiding the potential for a second municipal workers’ strike in the span of a month.
Sometimes referred to as the city’s ‘white collar’ public sector union, DC 47 represents librarians, social workers, supervisors, assistants and administrators across a variety of departments.
Terms of the agreement
The three-year deal, combined with a one-year contract signed in 2024, incorporates a 13.5% pay raise over Parker’s first term, city officials said. Further details about the terms of the contract were not available Tuesday.
In a video posted to the union’s social media pages, DC 47 President April Gigetts announced that the sides reached an agreement at around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, following all-night negotiations.
“You’re gonna love it,” Gigetts says in the clip. “Stay tuned. Information coming shortly.”
Gigetts and her team had initially pushed for 8% annual salary increases. DC 47 leaders did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
Parker celebrated the agreement in a statement. “We are valuing our city workers and protecting our city’s hard-earned fiscal stability at the same time.”
Members of Local 2187, part of DC 47, wrapped up a strike authorization vote Monday, though the results of that tally have not been made public. The other union in DC 47 representing municipal staff, Local 2186, is composed of city supervisors and is not permitted to strike.
Recent strike from DC 33 adds pressure
Roughly 9,000 District Council 33 employees went back to work last week following an eight-day work stoppage that suspended curbside trash pickup and hindered a host of other city services.
DC 33 members are currently voting on a three-year tentative agreement with 3% annual raises, a $1,500 bonus and an expanded pay scale. Ballots will be accepted through Sunday, with the results expected to be released Monday.
A ratification vote is also required for the adoption of the DC 47 agreement and will likely be organized in the coming days.
Police and fire contracts still pending
Contracts have expired for the other two major municipal unions – representing police officers and firefighters. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and the Philadelphia Firefighters’ and Paramedics’ Union Local 22 are prohibited from striking; their agreements are reached through binding arbitration.
Parker, in the city’s recently adopted budget and five-year financial plan, set aside $550 million for a labor reserve fund to account for contracted spending increases. The DC 33 deal is expected to cost $115 million.
