With a strike deadline looming at midnight tonight, District Council 33 leaders—who represent around 9,000 of Philadelphia’s blue-collar city workers—walked out of contract talks with city officials earlier today. The union is demanding 8% annual raises over four years, while Mayor Cherelle Parker has proposed a total of 12% across that time. If no deal is reached by the end of the day, members say they’re prepared to walk off the job, threatening critical services like 911 dispatch, trash pickup, and airport operations just days before July 4th celebrations. A union rally is set for 5 p.m. this evening.
See "District Council 33 union leaders walk out of negotiations with City of Philadelphia", Corey Davis, 6abc, June 30, 2025