by Jeroslyn JoVonn
July 9, 2025
Movies circulating on social media captured streets and full tons overflowing with trash
Trash piled up throughout Northeast Philadelphia as AFSCME District Council 33’s citywide strike stretched into its eighth day, in the end resulting in a deal between the union and metropolis officers.
Movies circulating on social media captured streets and full tons overflowing with trash as 9,000 staff from Philadelphia’s largest blue-collar union went on strike after weeks of stalled pay negotiations. A 6ABC reporter shared a TikTok video highlighting the large buildup of waste at Northeast Avenue and Gorman Avenue by the seventh day of the citywide walkout.
@Brygallagher4 Day 7 of the strike, trash piled up within the Northeast. @6abc Motion Information #philadelphia #philly #Philltics #phillytok #fyp #phillynews #Dc33 #unionworkers #union #districtcouncil33 #strike #trash #northeastphilly ♬ unique sound – Bryannagallagher
The trash pileup turned a defining picture of a chaotic week for Philadelphia residents, who additionally confronted lengthy wait instances on 911 calls and the closure of libraries and swimming pools throughout the peak of summer time warmth. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Staff (AFSCME) District Council 33 represents 9,000 metropolis staff, together with police dispatchers, crossing guards, upkeep staff at Philadelphia Worldwide Airport, metropolis sanitation staff who accumulate weekly trash pickups, and plenty of extra..
This marked its first main strike in practically 40 years, with the final strike lasting 20 days and leaving town’s streets overflowing with trash. To keep away from issues getting even worse, metropolis officers labored to achieve a deal, which was introduced on July 9.
Philadelphia mayor clerle parker stated the brand new three-year settlement grants District Council 33 members a complete of a 14% increase throughout her first time period. With the union already receiving a 5% enhance in her first 12 months, the brand new deal is probably going so as to add one other 9% in raises to be distributed over the remaining three years.
“We’re valuing our workforce and we’re safeguarding our metropolis’s hard-earned fiscal stability on the similar time. The strike is over!” Parker declared.
DC 33 President Greg Boulware confirmed the brand new settlement requires union members to return to work by July 9 or “as quickly as they’ll get to work.” Whereas a deal was reached, Boulware famous the union isn’t absolutely glad with the result.
“There’s a deal that’s been reached, sadly,” Boulware stated. “I’m not completely happy or glad with the result of issues.”
The deal marks solely a tentative finish to the strike, as the brand new contract nonetheless awaits ratification by DC 33 members.
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