Philly's Largest Blue Collar Union Could Strike Tuesday

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's largest blue collar worker union could strike as contract negotiations between its leaders and the city stall.

AFSCME District Council 33 represents about 9,000 city workers, including sanitation crews, 911 dispatchers, airport services, street repair and maintenance crews, water department employees, and more.

The union walked out of negotiations with city leaders Monday, according to NBC10.

A strike will begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday if a contract is not reached.

The union is asking for an 8 percent increase for each year of a four-year deal, while city officials offered a total of 12 percent over the four years.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker at a news conference Monday said the city is prepared for a work stoppage.

If the union does go on strike, trash and sanitation collection will shift to a "modified capacity," she said. That means residential trash will not be collected.

Parker urged residents not to set trash and recycling out for collection as they normally would. Officials will establish 63 temporary drop off locations for trash and recycling across the city.

Go online here or call 311 for more information on sanitation services.

If the strike happens, Parker said 911 call centers will still be operational, and urged anyone in need of emergency services to remain on the line when calling.

Core drinking water and wastewater services will also remain ongoing, she said.

The union also represents maintenance workers for the city's pools, and that if a strike occurs, the number of city pools open will drop from 40 to 25. A list of open pools will be shared online here.

While some pools will close, spraygrounds will remain open, as will recreation centers and cooling centers.

She went on to say Independence Day celebrations will be held as planned, as well.