Curbside trash pickup will be suspended and other city services will be curtailed, if Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration and the leaders of Philadelphia’s largest municipal workers’ union do not reach an agreement by midnight.
Though unionized city workers have remained on the job without a contract, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 has said it intends to call for a walk-out at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday if no deal materializes.
DC 33 represents more than 8,000 employees across an array of departments, from water to 911 dispatch, and the union’s last picket was a 20-day strike nearly four decades ago.
A main area of dispute is pay. Parker’s team has offered a 13% raise over her first term, which incorporates a 5% increase that was included in a one-year contract signed late last year. DC 33 has pushed for 8% annual raises for all members.
Greg Boulware, the union’s president, has said the average yearly salary for DC 33 members is $46,000.
Parker said her administration has also offered to expand the union’s pay scale to a fifth “step,” allowing workers to further increase their salary. The move would bring DC 33’s payment program in line with other municipal unions, she said.
During a City Hall news conference Monday afternoon, Parker said she was “still hopeful” a strike could be averted. Representatives from DC 33 did not immediately return a request for comment.
“We will remain at the table, and we are prepared to stay at the table to achieve a contract that honors our employees while safeguarding the city’s financial stability for all Philadelphians,” the mayor said. “The City of Philadelphia is fully prepared for any potential work stoppage.”
In the event of a work stoppage, curbside residential garbage and recycling collection would be canceled, and Philadelphians will be told not to place their trash outside along the street.
Parker said the city is setting up 63 manned drop-off locations for people to bring their trash. A list will be posted at phila.gov/sanitation. Recycling will not be accepted, and residents are only permitted to come on their designated trash pick-up days.
“We cannot be overwhelmed with the amount of trash at each site by bringing it on any day,” said Carlton Williams, the city’s director of clean and green initiatives.
Williams asked residents to partner with neighbors who cannot drive or do not have a car. Furniture, tires and other loose trash are not permitted at the drop-off locations.
Beginning after 5 p.m. tomorrow, Philadelphia’s six sanitation convenience centers will also be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Williams said. Residents can bring their recycling to the centers; however, he advised people to hold onto it for as long as possible. He additionally encouraged Philadelphians to compost food waste.
The 911 dispatch center will remain open, though delays are expected. “Just don’t hang up,” Parker said.
About 200 Philadelphia Police Department officers have been trained to take calls, Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. He said he will move sworn personnel into the center as needed.
Parker said the Philadelphia Water Department has cross-trained staff to ensure drinking and waste water functions are maintained. However, the department is anticipating longer wait times to respond to water main breaks, street cave-ins, open hydrants and other service issues, she said.
“During a strike, the Philadelphia Water Department will prioritize repairs based on the severity of the impact and the availability of resources,” Parker told reporters.
Forty public pools are currently open, and another 20 are slated to open in the coming days. But, if DC 33 strikes, the city will only be able to keep 25 operational, Parker said. Check phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-parks-recreation for a list of locations.
Recreation centers, which typically are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., will close at 5 p.m., meaning evening programming will be canceled. Parks and Recreation summer camps will not be affected, Parker said.
She said all Fourth of July festivities will go on as scheduled. “Keep your holiday plans,” the mayor added. “Don’t leave the city.”
A strike would impact custodial, facilities and maintenance teams at Philadelphia International Airport, officials said. The airport plans to utilize employees who do not belong to DC 33 to perform those tasks, Heather Redfern, public affairs manager for the city’s aviation department, told Metro.
“We’ve been planning for this. We’ve been practicing for this,” city Managing Director Adam Thiel said. “While we aim to provide all city services, we also expect that some things might take a bit longer or perform at a different level.”
“We are not perfect, even on a good day, and we humbly ask for your patience, and maybe a little bit of grace, as we work through this dynamic situation together,” he continued.
