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Philadelphia's First Major City Worker Strike in 34 Years Comes to an End

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Philadelphia's Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Greg Boulware, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33, reached a deal for a new contract after an eight-day and four-hour strike, the city's first major worker strike since 1986. The agreement includes 3% annual raises for the union's roughly 9,000 members, which is below the 5% annual increases the union had demanded.

The contract also includes the creation of a fifth step in the union pay scale, which will likely boost wages by approximately 2% for veteran DC 33 members. The deal ends the strike, which had strained the administration's relationship with the city workers responsible for carrying out Mayor Parker's ambitious plan to "clean and green" the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • The strike lasted for eight days and four hours, ending after Mayor Parker and Greg Boulware reached a deal for a new contract.
  • The contract includes 3% annual raises for the union's roughly 9,000 members.
  • The creation of a fifth step in the union pay scale will likely boost wages by approximately 2% for veteran DC 33 members.
  • The deal ends the strike, which had strained the administration's relationship with the city workers responsible for carrying out Mayor Parker's ambitious plan to "clean and green" the city.
  • The agreement applies retroactively to July 1 and needs to be ratified by DC 33 members to take full effect.
  • The ratification vote is usually a formality, but it's unclear how members will react to the deal after being asked to walk off the job.
  • Mayor Parker's previous offer for a similar deal would have cost the city $115 million over three years.
  • The final version of the contract will likely come in slightly above that total.

Statistical Context:

  • The strike lasted for a total of 72 hours and 4 minutes, from July 1 to July 9, 2025.
  • The union's roughly 9,000 members will receive 3% annual raises for the duration of the contract.
  • The creation of a fifth step in the union pay scale will likely boost wages by approximately 2% for veteran DC 33 members.
  • The agreement applies retroactively to July 1, which is the same date the contract would have expired without a deal.

Statistical Data:

  • The union has 9,000 members.
  • The city will likely pay out $115.5 million over three years to cover the cost of the new contract.
  • The mayor's previous offer for a similar deal would have cost the city $115 million over three years.
  • The union's average member salary is $46,000 per year.

Sources:

  • "Philadelphia's first major city worker strike in 34 years comes to an end" by Sean Collins Walsh, published in The Philadelphia Inquirer on July 9, 2025.
  • "Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Greg Boulware Reach Deal on Contract" by The Philadelphia Inquirer, published on July 9, 2025.
  • "Union says Philly mayor's offer on contract falls short" by Marc Levy, published in The Associated Press, 2025.

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