Union in Philadelphia's largest city initiates strike ballot casting
💬 City workers union, AFSCME District Council 33, is in a standoff with the city over contract negotiations. The union's members have been summoned to attend an "Emergency General Membership Meeting" on June 10, where they're set to vote on a potential strike.
The city has tabled a contract proposal since January, which, if accepted, would provide pay raises in line with the city's financial capabilities and its Five-Year Plan. However, the union isn't entirely pleased, arguing for higher raises and pushback against alterations to health and welfare costs.
Contention also exists around changes to co-pays and deductibles, overtime usage, and part-time worker regulations. Furthermore, the proposed contract outlines new rules regarding sick leave, restricting the time available for doctor's visits and appointments, and limiting the accumulation of sick days for long-term illnesses.
Mayor Cherelle Parker, a known union supporter, has acknowledged the budgeted half-billion dollars for wage increases and expressed a desire to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Though she refrained from discussing specifics about the ongoing negotiations, she emphasized the importance of striking a fiscally sensible deal considering the city's budgeting commitments to various projects and unions.
With the budget deadline set for June 5, the timeline for reaching a resolution is tight. If approved, a final vote on the budget would occur on June 12, followed by a summer recess for City Council. The Union's strike vote is a clear indication that they're ready to take aggressive action if negotiations don't yield favorable outcomes.
bones: AFSCME District Council 33, contract negotiations, pay raises, health and welfare costs, co-pays and deductibles, sick leave rules, overtime, part-time workers, Mayor Cherelle Parker, budget, strike vote, City Council, summer recess
related:- 📰 In-depth: Unpacking the City Workers' Union Contract Negotiations- 💰 Why City Workers are Fighting for a Better Contract, and How It Affects You- 🗣️ Community Voices: City Workers Deserve a Fair Contract- 💰 Here's What You Can Do to Support City Workers in Their Contract Negotiations
The ongoing contract negotiations between City Workers Union AFSCME District Council 33 and the city are also pressing issues in general news, as the union members prepare for a potential strike vote over proposed contract changes regarding pay raises, health and welfare costs, co-pays and deductibles, sick leave rules, overtime, part-time workers, and more. Although Mayor Cherelle Parker, a known union supporter, is eyeing a fiscally sensible agreement, the tight timeline before the budget deadline may bring tensions to a boil, impacting city projects, unions, and residents. For more updates on this political issue, stay tuned for in-depth analysis of the city workers' union contract negotiations.
