Citywide Strike Threatened by Philadelphia’s Largest Municipal Union

Strike Looms as City Workers Demand Fair Wages and Job Security

Philadelphia is bracing for a massive labor strike that could disrupt critical city services beginning June 30, 2025. Members of the city’s largest blue-collar union, AFSCME District Council 33, which represents more than 9,000 municipal employees, are preparing to walk off the job if a new contract is not reached in the coming days.

Breakdown in Negotiations Fuels Impending Strike

Despite day-long negotiations between union leaders and city officials on June 25, the two sides failed to reach a resolution. The union announced via its official communication channels that talks did not result in sufficient progress, and as a result, strike preparations are moving forward.

The planned strike is set to begin at midnight on June 30, unless a last-minute agreement is reached.

Union members seeking updates or clarity have been invited to attend a scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m.

Essential City Services at Risk

District Council 33 members are responsible for a wide range of essential public services across Philadelphia. The union's workforce includes:

Sanitation workers

Water department employees

Street and highway maintenance crews

Police dispatchers

Airport staff and technicians

Should the strike proceed, Philadelphia residents could face delays or disruptions in trash collection, emergency response, infrastructure maintenance, and airport operations — all vital functions for the city’s day-to-day life.

Union Leadership Demands Fair Compensation

Union President Greg Boulware voiced frustration over the stalled negotiations, emphasizing the challenges workers have endured, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We handle every single essential service that goes on in the city,” Boulware stated. “We saw no compensation during the pandemic, and we’ve been through that successfully. Our members are still fighting. We’re doing more work with fewer people than ever before, and the wages are not meeting the basic needs to survive.”

According to union representatives, their demands include:

Salary increases

Job security guarantees

Comprehensive health benefits for all members

They argue that without these protections, city workers cannot continue providing reliable service while struggling to meet basic living expenses.

Growing Tension Across All City Unions

The situation with District Council 33 is part of a broader labor challenge in Philadelphia. Contracts for all four of the city’s municipal unions — including District Councils 33 and 47 — are set to expire at the end of June 2025. The outcome of these negotiations could have a ripple effect, influencing other labor groups and negotiations citywide.

What’s Next for Philadelphia?

As the June 30 deadline draws closer, pressure is mounting on both city officials and union leadership to find common ground. With thousands of workers poised to strike, the potential impact on residents, public safety, and infrastructure cannot be overstated.

While union members await further updates at the June 26 meeting, the city continues working toward a resolution to avoid a widespread shutdown. Whether a last-minute deal can be reached remains uncertain — but one thing is clear: Philadelphia’s frontline workers are ready to stand their ground for better pay, stronger protections, and the respect they say they’ve earned.