Philadelphia union leaders reach deal with city to end eight-day trash strike

Philadelphia union leaders reached a tentative deal with the city Wednesday, ending the strike that began July 1 and paused residential curbside trash pickup, amid other services.

Nearly 10,000 city workers from District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees went on strike after failing to agree with the city on a new contract as they sought better pay and benefits, The Associated Press reported.

The agreement was announced after trash had been piling up, with some drop-off centers overflowing.

Democrat Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the end of the strike and the agreement with the union on X.

“The work stoppage involving District Council 33 and the City of Philadelphia is OVER,” Parker posted. 

Still, she said the new, three-year deal must be ratified by union membership.

The lab union also announced the end of the strike.

“The strike is over! Details forthcoming,” the union posted on X on Wednesday.

District Council 33 is the largest of four major unions representing Philadelphia workers. The union's membership includes 911 dispatchers, trash collectors, library and water department workers.

Union President Greg Boulware said after the deal was reached, “We did the best we could with the circumstances we had in front of us.”

Philadelphia had designated about 60 sites as drop-off centers for residential trash, but some overflowed. Most libraries in Philadelphia were closed as support workers and security guards went on strike.