Philadelphia is grappling with its first city worker strike in nearly four decades as Mayor Cherelle L. Parker attempts to negotiate with union president Greg Boulware. The strike commenced six days ago after Boulware’s American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 called for a raise of 5% annually as part of contract discussions. Despite Parker’s overtures, including a housing initiative she believes benefits union members, negotiations have reached an impasse.
As midnight approached last Monday, Parker reached out to Boulware in a last-ditch effort to resolve tensions and prevent a strike. She reiterated her stance against the pay hike demands, instead promoting her Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative, which had received approval during budget negotiations earlier in the summer. “All of those housing programs developed by my administration in partnership with the City Council were developed with his members in mind,” she stated at a recent press conference, lamenting the union’s decision to leave the negotiating table.
Union members, numbering over 9,000, have responded coolly to Parker’s appeals, emphasizing the separation between the union’s demands and her housing proposals. In a radio interview, Boulware characterized the mayor’s emphasis on the raise from last year as misleading and underscored that it should not be conflated with ongoing contract negotiations. He expressed his discontent, stating, “There has never been a housing agreement nor will there ever be a housing agreement that is part of any collective bargaining agreement.”
With no formal negotiations taking place on Sunday, the strike is poised to extend beyond a week, as the union mobilizes for continued protests. In a show of solidarity, DC 33 has called on supporters to provide supplies at picket lines and is establishing an online platform to bolster its strike fund. Lee Saunders, the national president of AFSCME, is scheduled to visit Philadelphia, further amplifying the union’s stance.
Parker’s most recent contract offer included a three-year agreement featuring annual increases of 2.75%, 3%, and 3%, which sums up to a total of 8.75%. The mayor has framed this proposal as a significant 13% raise when combined with the previous year’s single-year, 5% increase, a move touted as the most considerable single-year increase for the union in decades. Still, Boulware has dismissed this characterization, insisting that the raise was hard-fought and not merely given.
The H.O.M.E. initiative aims to borrow $800 million for an array of housing programs designed to assist working-class families, though none are specifically earmarked for city employees. Parker mentioned the possibility of setting aside funds for mortgage assistance targeted at retaining municipal workers. However, this proposal was met with skepticism, as Boulware highlighted that it does not directly address the union members’ immediate needs.
Moreover, Parker’s adjustments to eligibility requirements for existing repair programs have sparked controversy, with critics claiming these changes may inadvertently limit support for the neediest homeowners. Nonetheless, the mayor defended her actions as necessary for expanding assistance options for blue-collar city workers.
Parker’s commitment to strengthening middle-class neighborhoods is central to her vision for Philadelphia. This effort includes maintaining residency requirements for city employees alongside advocating for reforms that broaden access to city job opportunities for those from working-class backgrounds. However, her approaches have not yet swayed Boulware’s position on the current labor negotiations, which remain tense and unresolved.
As both sides continue to stand firm, the outcome of this strike could prove pivotal not only for the workers but for Philadelphia’s broader labor landscape. With each passing day, officials and union leaders alike are aware that the stakes are higher than ever, with future negotiations sure to shape the city’s labor relations for years to come.