City Employees Fill in for Sanitation Workers Amid Philadelphia Strike

Strategic Insights -

As the Philadelphia municipal worker strike reached its climax, nonunion city employees, including Future Track trainees and full-time employees in the Community Life Improvement Program, worked extended hours to clear trash and maintain public spaces. While some view them as "scabs," these employees were tasked with filling a critical need as District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees walked off the job.

Key Takeaways:

  • 185 nonunion workers were listed as "Future Track trainees" under the streets department, earning $17 an hour, as of late April.
  • Future Track trainees were put on 12-hour rotations and assigned to the drop-off sites set up as an alternative to residential trash collection.
  • The Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) employees, totaling 178, were also put on 12-hour shifts since the strike began.
  • CLIP workers, earning approximately $48,000 annually, are not affiliated with any union.
  • Private-sector cleanup workers, employed through Taking Care of Business PHL, also assisted in maintaining public spaces, despite receiving instructions to avoid performing duties typically handled by city personnel.
  • Quasi-governmental business-funded organizations, such as the Center City District, separately paid for street-cleaning services in their areas, involving non-striking workers.

Statistics:

  • 185 nonunion workers were listed as "Future Track trainees" as of late April.
  • These trainees earned $17 an hour.
  • 178 CLIP employees were put on 12-hour shifts since the strike began.
  • CLIP workers earn approximately $48,000 annually.
  • Hundreds of private-sector cleanup workers were employed through Taking Care of Business PHL.

Sources:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer. (2025) [exact citation not found, assuming The Philadelphia Inquirer published on Jul. 8iliation]