As negotiations continue between District Council 33, city of Philadelphia, here's what we know so far
After Philadelphia's AFSCME District Council 33 went on strike Tuesday, July 1, CBS News Philadelphia has published dozens of articles, videos and documenting the labor talks and what the city and union are saying about the strike.
and is the city's largest blue-collar worker union. Members of DC 33 work within the sanitation and water departments, as well as in roles such as 911 dispatchers, crossing guards, morgue employees, airport staff and more.
If you haven't been following along or want a refresher, CBS News Philadelphia has been following these labor talks since 2024.
Here's a timeline of what we know about the last year leading up to the Philly union workers' strike.
October 17, 2024
- DC 33 president Greg Boulware sends a letter to workers stating that the city of Philadelphia failed to put together a "comprehensive" proposal for union members. The proposal increased workers' paychecks on average by $50 per pay period, according to Boulware.
"Their proposal addresses none of the many other issues that our members face on a daily basis," Boulware wrote at the time. "This was NOT a good faith negotiation. It was 'Take this and be happy.'"
October 30, 2024
- DC 33 workers protest outside of City Hall after passing a motion to allow a strike authorization vote.
- Tarik Jackson, a union worker, took aim at Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's "One Philly" messaging outside City Hall as workers marched the streets.
"This supposed to be 'One Philly,' right? We're not being treated like One Philly," Jackson said. "We all want to be treated the same way. We need good, decent pay. That's what we all out here for. We shouldn't have to work two jobs."
November 14, 2024
- District Council 33 votes to authorize a strike, with 87% of members in favor of a strike. This vote authorized DC 33 leadership to call a strike against the city of Philadelphia at any time if a deal in contract negotiations is not met.
November 22, 2024
- DC 33 reaches a one-year contract extension with the city, preventing a strike. The contract was for the fiscal year 2025 and included a 5% salary increase, a one-time bonus of $1,400 and other benefits. The union and city continue to negotiate after the deal and push for a long-term agreement that would bring security for union workers for the next several years.
June 10, 2025
- DC 33 holds strike authorization vote, seeking an improved contract and changes to health care and pension plans.
June 12, 2025
- DC 33 speaks out after authorizing a strike.
"It is our full intention to let the city of Philadelphia know that if we don't have an extension in place by the end of the term on June 30, we have every intention of walking out the door and making sure the city of Philadelphia understands how vital our people are," Boulware said.
June 26, 2025
- DC 33 members meet to discuss plans to begin striking on July 1.
June 30, 2025
- The city and DC 33 hold morning negotiations and leave without a new contract in place after a 16-hour negotiating session.
- DC 33 is seeking an 8% pay increase every year for four years and health care benefits for all employees.
- DC 33 comes together for a solidarity rally at City Hall featuring chants and signs. The blue-collar union workers plan to strike at midnight.
- The city holds a press conference reemphasizing its desire to stay at the table and negotiate a plan. They also reiterate their contingency plans if a strike were to occur, including trash drop-off locations and plans to send police officers to help staff the 911 dispatch center.
July 1, 2025
- Philadelphia's largest blue-collar union goes on strike for the first time since 1986. There are no residential trash pickup services, police officers to answer all 911 calls, no crossing guards on duty at summer programs, slow water and sewer repairs, construction projects paused and all meter appointments are canceled. Picketing across the city ensues.
- Mayor Parker reiterates her four-year contract offer of about 3% each year, for a total of 13%. Sixty-three trash drop-off locations are set up for residents to get rid of their garbage on their designated trash day.
July 2, 2025
- Day two of the strike ensues, and trash piles grow in Philadelphia at temporary dump sites established by the city. The city and union reenter negotiations but leave without a new contract.
- A judge orders an injunction requiring 200 emergency dispatchers and some water department staff to return to work, citing concerns over public health.
- Union members refuse to accept a deal less than a 5% pay increase each year.
- Members are also accused of vandalism and disorderly conduct. Striking union member Carnell Wilder is arrested for slashing the tires of a Philadelphia Gas Works digger loader.
- Philadelphians begin to grow tired of the growing trash at drop-off sites.
July 3, 2025
- Day three of the strike begins with negotiations between DC 33 and Philadelphia on pause, following a 12-hour negotiating session.
- An emergency injunction is put in place requiring 31 medical examiner office workers to return to work following a backlog of bodies in the city morgue.
- Two sanitation workers are struck by a vehicle in Port Richmond while on the picket line. The driver was identified by police as 41-year-old Damon Robinson, who was charged with driving under the influence, aggravated assault and related offenses.
- LL Cool J stands in solidarity with DC 33 members and drops out of his headlining performance at the Wawa Welcome America concert on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia's largest Independence Day celebration.
July 4, 2025
- The strike enters its fourth day, and negotiations are still on pause between DC 33 and the city.
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro weighs in and states that state mediators are involved in the negotiations with DC 33.
"I've communicated with the mayor multiple times. I know she has put an aggressive package on the table. I believe the best package that's been put on the table in decades," Shapiro said. "I have confidence in Mayor Parker to see this through and to find a way to resolve these differences, to pay a fair wage, and to ensure the good people of Philadelphia get the benefits of the great work that DC 33 members provide our city every day."
- Jazmine Sullivan, a Philadelphia native and headliner for the Wawa Welcome America concert, states that she will also not perform, following LL Cool J's announcement a day earlier.
July 5, 2025
- Day five of the strike begins, and DC 33 and Philadelphia reenter negotiations in the afternoon. The union plans to work through the holiday weekend on a counterproposal to the city's latest offer.
By Sydney-Leigh Brockington
