Philadelphia city workers end strike after reaching tentative agreement

In the United States, Philadelphia city workers represented by District Council 33 went on strike on July 1, 2025, due to unsuccessful negotiations regarding a new contract. The strike resulted in significant disruptions, including the suspension of residential curbside trash pickup and various other municipal services. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the end of the strike following the announcement of a tentative agreement that occurred after negotiations resumed on the night of July 8, 2025. The agreement includes a proposed three-year contract with a total raise of 14% for employees. Nearly 10,000 blue-collar workers, including dispatchers, sanitation workers, and maintenance personnel, walked off their jobs, demanding improved pay and benefits. The negotiations had broken down prior to the strike, with union representatives initially seeking pay increases of 8% each year over a four-year agreement, while the city's previous increase was 5% for the previous year. The labor action gained significant attention, especially during a holiday, resulting in a backlog of trash collection. According to the Mayor, the new agreement must be ratified by the union's membership to take effect, and it builds on a prior one-year contract extension from the previous fall that had already raised wages by 5%. Mayor Parker highlighted the importance of the labor negotiations for the city's workforce, stating the commitment to ensuring fair compensation for municipal employees. The strike also led to temporary closures of public libraries and significant operational challenges for essential services. As the strike ended, the union leadership expressed the challenges faced during negotiations but maintained optimism about the new contract. District Council 33 President Greg Boulware indicated that the union would provide detailed information to its members once the contract was fully laid out. This development marks a significant moment, as it not only addresses the immediate concerns of city workers but reaffirms the city administration's commitment to supporting its workforce amid economic challenges.