PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia who collect trash, answer 911 calls, maintain city pools and perform other jobs went on strike Tuesday after contract negotiations broke down.
Negotiations with AFSCME District Council 33 and the city stalled on Tuesday, which prompted workers to walk off the job at midnight.
“We believe it’s a fair offer and it’s still fiscally responsible for the people of this city,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
WATCH: Mayor Cherelle Parker provides updates on strike
Mayor Parker provides updates on DC 33 strike on July 1, 2025.
DC 33 President Greg Boulware told Action News that the city isn’t coming anywhere close to the wage increases the union wants.
Parker says the offer is more than any mayor has offered over one term.
RELATED | Philadelphia judge orders more than 200 911 dispatchers back to work amid strike
There is picketing at a number of locations around the city, including outside Philadelphia police headquarters, where 911 dispatchers were on strike. After the city filed an injunction, a Philadelphia judge ordered about 237 dispatchers back to work because their absence creates a “clear and present danger to threat to health, safety or welfare of the public,” according to a court filing obtained by Action News.
The judge also ordered some Philadelphia Water Department workers to return.
DC 33 represents about 9,000 city workers who are asking for an 8% increase for each year of a four-year deal. The City is offering 7% over three years, which averages out to just over 2% per year.
City employees represented by District Council 33 help to keep the city running. They provide services that include everything from 911 dispatch, street repairs, trash pickup, airport services, L & I enforcement, Department of Public Health service, and more.
With trash collection suspended until further notice, garbage is already piling up in some of the dozens dumpters around the city.
One dumpster at 60th Street and West Columbia Avenue in Overbrook has two dumpsters. People say one of them alone filled up within 10 minutes. Some folks walked their trash up, while others had a U-Haul loaded with trash bags.
“I’m helping out my neighbors, just bringing the trash up here. They paying me,” said resident Teddy Alston.
You can share the view from your neighborhood by uploading videos and images here.
MORE | How DC 33 strike will impact trash collection in Philadelphia
Union officials say their members know they won’t get rich working for the city, but they believe their pay should match the cost of living.
The last major strike by city trash collectors was nearly 40 years ago. It lasted 20 days, allowing for tons of garbage to pile up at dumpsites around Philadelphia.
Mayor Parker says that July 4th festivities will continue uninterrupted.
Below you’ll find a full contingency released by the city before the strike began:
TRASH COLLECTION
Mayor Cherelle Parker said that the city’s Department of Sanitation will operate on a modified schedule.
Residential trash and recycling pickup has been halted. Residents are asked not to put their trash outside for collection.
The city has 63 temporary drop-off locations around the city where residents can bring their trash.
“We are going to continue to monitor these locations. If the work stoppage lingers and more capacity is needed, we will be expanding to additional locations,” said Parker on Tuesday.
Residents are asked to only bring trash on what would be their normal trash pickup days in order to keep the facilities from becoming overwhelmed.
A map is available here.
Read more about the trash and recycling changes here.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
While more striking 911 dispatchers were ordered to return to the job, city officials urged residents to be patient and not hang up should they need to call either 911 or the city’s nonemergency helpline
“Just don’t hang up,” Parker said.
The city’s emergency operations center is open right now and will remain open 24 hours per day.
City residents can get updates from the emergency operations center by texting ReadyPhila to 88877.
FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA
All Free Library of Philadelphia libraries are temporarily closed due to safety issues related to picketing activities, according to the city.
Updates on the status of the libraries can be found here.
JULY 4TH FESTIVITIES
All July 4th festivities will go on as scheduled, Parker said Monday.
“Keep your holiday plans. Don’t leave the city. Come out on the Parkway and enjoy us and bring the family,” she said.
WATER SERVICE
The Philadelphia Water Department is prepared to continue providing essential water and wastewater services amid the strike.
A judge ordered a limited number of essential Philadelphia Water Department workers to return to the job. Lawyers said these employees are essential to fulfill its statutory mandate to provide fresh, clean drinking water supply to the City.”
Before the order was issued, Parker said workers were being cross-trained to perform operational functions.
Parker cautioned that residents could experience longer response times and repair times for issues such as water main breaks, street cave-ins, open hydrants and clogged inlets.
Water department customers can call 215-685-6300 to report issues, though wait times could be longer than usual during the strike.
That number can also be used to pay bills. Residents can also pay online at Phila.gov/WaterBill.
Water and sewer connection permit requests should follow the instructions posted on the Water Department’s website
During the strike, only urgent meter work will be performed, such as repairing or replacing damaged or leaking meters.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Parker noted that only about 25 pools will be open during the strike. That’s down from the 40 that are currently open and the 62 the city had hoped would be open by mid-July.
The City of Philadelphia released a list of pools that will remain open during the work stoppage.
All 112 spraygrounds will remain open.
MORE | How Philadelphia union strike is impacting recreation centers, pools
While rec centers will also remain open, Parker said they will close at 5 pm.
Summer camps will continue to operate, though there will be no evening programs.
Cooling centers will also remain open.
CHILD WELFARE
Parker said the child abuse hotline will continue operating 24/7, and child abuse investigations will continue as normal.
Prevention and other supportive services will also be available, Parker said.
The Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Center will continue to operate around the clock.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Most Health Department services will continue to be available to City residents. However, some services at the Health Centers may be temporarily unavailable or delayed. Patients with appointments will be contacted about the status of their upcoming appointments.
DEPARTMENT OF STREETS
Work performed will focus on “make-safe” operations and emergency repairs for conditions and problems affecting traffic safety or impediments to the movement of traffic.
“Make-safe” operations can include inspection, barricades or partial closures, relocation of damaged traffic infrastructure, temporary electrical repairs, or temporary signage.
Damage to traffic infrastructure or unsafe roadway conditions can be reported to 311. Any emergency reports, such as a non-working traffic control devices should be reported to 911.
PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will be open and operational, as airline, concessions and federal security staff are not DC 33 staff. The work stoppage does affect several of PHL’s teams, including custodial, facilities and maintenance.
For more coverage on the strike, visit 6abc.com/CityStrike.
For a list of impacted services during the strike, click here.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.