Philadelphia’s 9,000-Member AFSCME District Council 33 Union Begins Strike July 1 Over Contract Dispute, Halting Trash Pickup and Disrupting 911 Services Amid Judge Orders

Philadelphia's largest municipal union, AFSCME District Council 33, representing approximately 9,000 blue-collar city workers including sanitation workers, 911 dispatchers, water department employees, and parks maintenance staff, began a strike at midnight on July 1, 2025, after contract negotiations with Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration failed. The strike marks the first major city worker strike in Philadelphia since 1986. The union sought better wages, job security, and improved health benefits, with members earning an average of $46,000 annually. Mayor Parker had offered a pay raise exceeding 12% over one term, the largest in over 30 years, but the union rejected the offer.

The strike has led to the suspension of curbside trash and recycling collection, closure of many city pools, and disruptions to 911 call center operations. In response, the city established 63 temporary trash drop-off sites, but trash has accumulated in various neighborhoods, raising public health concerns. A Philadelphia judge issued temporary restraining orders requiring over 200 911 dispatchers and essential water department employees to return to work, and ordered 31 medical examiner's office employees back due to health risks from unprocessed bodies. Despite the strike's impact, emergency services remain operational. Negotiations have continued intermittently, including overnight sessions and meetings scheduled through early July, with both sides expressing willingness to resume talks. The strike has drawn attention to disparities between city workers' wages and Mayor Parker's salary of approximately $269,700. The ongoing labor dispute has prompted city officials to prepare contingency plans to manage essential services during the work stoppage, which could extend through the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Supporters of the union have rallied publicly, emphasizing the workers' contributions during the pandemic and challenges posed by inflation.