Negotiations to resume Sunday between Philadelphia and city workers union, District Council 33, union says
Philadelphia's largest blue-collar union could go on strike next week, which would impact services including trash pickup for people in the city.
AFSCME represents some 9,000 workers in essential services. Both the union and the city were in negotiations inside the Sheraton hotel in Philadelphia on Friday, hoping to come to an agreement.
The union said negotiations are set to continue Sunday.
Workers are demanding higher wages and health benefits for all members.
If an agreement isn't reached, the strike would start at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Workers with the sanitation department, water department, police dispatch, street maintenance and airport operations are set to strike.
A spokesperson for the union said negotiations continued until after 11 p.m. Friday, lasting nearly 12 hours, but no deal had been reached.
"Despite our best efforts to advocate on your behalf, the lack of progress on critical matters such as fair wages and comprehensive health care benefits remains a significant concern," early Saturday. "These issues are at the core of our negotiations, and we are committed to ensuring they are not overlooked."
Mayor Cherelle Parker was asked about the negotiations after the union's membership voted to authorize a strike earlier this month.
"As mayor, I'm an eternal optimist and I believe that we will figure out a way to get to yes, to reach some much-needed compromise here," she said.
When asked about the stalled negotiations Saturday, a spokesperson for Parker pointed CBS News Philadelphia to . In the video, Parker mentions the 2024 contract deal, where the union and administration reached an agreement that increased pay by 5%.
She said her administration has proposed a deal that would increase workers' pay a total of 12% over her first term, "the largest one-term pay increase for District Council 33 from any mayor in more than three decades." The deal also "does nothing to take away from District Council 33's health care coverage," she said.
"I just think that they need to give us a fair contract," said Ron Price, a District Council 33 union member. "Let the guys make some money because we're the ones that keep the city running."
"Personally, I have a large dog, we walk in these streets all the time," said Mara Hughes, who lives in Philadelphia. "So as soon as the trash fills up the street, my dog and I are in like a danger zone every day. Do we have to go to the emergency vet? Are we going to encounter something that's dangerous for [the dog]? It becomes a very toxic environment for animals and children very quickly."
The last time this union went on strike was in 1986, and the impact was felt citywide.
These photos from that time show mountains of uncollected trash lining the streets – a powerful reminder of what's at stake if a deal isn't reached.
"My hope is that the city comes to its senses and negotiates in good faith and provides these workers with what they need," Hughes said.
If a deal is not reached, the strike is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.
