Philadephia's white-collar labor union DC47 agrees on a new contract with the city, thus averting a potential strike.
In a significant development for city workers, District Council 47 (DC47) and the City of Philadelphia have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract, with a one-year extension previously agreed to last fall. This follows a week-long strike by District Council 33 (DC33), which disrupted sanitation services in the city.
The new contract with DC47, the city's white-collar union, includes a 13.5% wage increase over Mayor Cherelle Parker's term, broken down into 2.5%, 3%, and 3% raises over the three years, plus a 1% fifth pay step in 2027. The agreement also includes a $1,250 bonus in the first year of the contract, an increase in the city's health care claims payment to DC47 members from 91% to 92% coverage, and modifications to the longevity schedule and shift differentials to better support union members.
Meanwhile, DC33, the city's blue-collar union, has ratified their new contract following their week-long strike. The strike halted residential curbside trash pickup and affected other services in Philadelphia. The details of the contract deal for DC33 are not yet disclosed.
Mayor Parker described the deal with DC47 as a fiscally responsible way to value city workers while protecting the city's financial stability. The journalism and information provided by the source is fact-based and in-depth, and it operates as a nonprofit organization.
The tentative agreement between District Council 47 and the city was reached on Tuesday, avoiding a potential strike by DC47 Local 2187, whose members work in various professional services in the city. The members of DC47 Local 2187 have just spent the past four days voting on whether to authorize a strike, but the voting is now unnecessary due to the tentative agreement.
The new contract with DC47 secures pay raises and benefits for white-collar city workers, while DC33 has already ratified their deal after their industrial action. The city is a party to both tentative agreements, and the ratification votes are crucial to finalising the contracts.
In summary, the tentative agreements reached by both DC47 and DC33 in Philadelphia avoid potential strikes and secure pay raises and benefits for city workers. The details of the DC33 agreement have been ratified, while the DC47 agreement is pending ratification by its members.
The new contracts with District Council 47 and District Council 33, two significant city unions, are set to secure pay raises and benefits for their respective members, as a result of intense negotiations and, in DC33's case, a week-long strike. Furthermore, these agreements, being part of policy-and-legislation in the city, underscore the current political climate and general news surrounding public service workers in Philadelphia.