Philadelphia Ends City Worker Strike: Trash Collection Resumes Monday After Deal Reached
Over 9,000 blue-collar workers—including sanitation workers, 911 dispatchers, and water department employees—walked off the job on July 1, pushing for higher wages and better benefits. The strike notably impacted residential curbside trash pickup, which had to be rerouted to over 60 city drop-off centers, many of which became overwhelmed during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
✅ What’s in the New Agreement?
The deal provides:
- A 3% raise each year for the next three years
- An additional 2% raise for half of the workers through an added pay grade level
- Most workers will be eligible for that extra bump by the end of the contract
“This is a meaningful investment in our workforce that also respects the city’s financial limits,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker during a press conference. She also noted that her administration has already delivered a 5% pay hike to all four major unions during her first year in office, bringing the total pay increase for DC33 members to 14% over her term.
Despite the challenges faced during the strike, many residents expressed support for better compensation for city workers, who earn an average salary of $46,000 annually, according to the union.
⚠️ Services Affected and Recovery Timeline
The strike caused widespread disruption:
- Most libraries and public pools were closed
- Recreation centers operated on reduced hours
- Trash drop-off sites were overburdened
- 911 services and critical departments faced staffing issues (some workers were ordered back by judges)
Now that an agreement has been reached, Mayor Parker is urging residents to show patience and understanding as the city works to restore normal operations across all affected services.
🗳 What’s Next?
Union members still need to ratify the agreement before it becomes official, but both city officials and union leaders expressed optimism.
“We did the best we could with the circumstances in front of us,” said Greg Boulware, president of DC33, during a short press appearance on Wednesday.
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