District Council 33 Members Ratify New Contract After Weeklong Strike

PHILADELPHIA — After battling with Philadelphia officials over a fair deal and striking for a week, Philly's largest blue collar union has ratified its new contract.

AFSCME District Council 33's members, which total more than 9,000 workers in the city, approved the contract Monday.

The strike ended on July 9 when the tentative agreement was reached.

"Thanks to every member who made their voice heard in the ratification vote," the union posted on social media. "The results have been certified by the American Arbitration Association, and we’ve informed the City to start issuing bonuses. Together, we made this happen."

The vote was 1,535 in favor of the contract, and 838 opposed to it.

This three-year contract with 3 percent raises each year, as well as the creation of a fifth step in the union pay scale.

District Council 33 president Greg Boulware said after the tentative agreement was reached that the union was unhappy with the deal, saying members should be able to earn a living for themselves and their families.

The strike began July 1 and lasted eight days.

In response, the city opened up trash and recycling drop off sites around the city, many quickly overfilling and spilling onto streets.

Philadelphia 911 call center workers and Philadelphia International Airport emergency dispatchers —all members of the union, which includes sanitation workers, Street Department repairs and maintenance crews, emergency dispatchers, Department of Revenue workers — were ordered back to work by judges during the strike.