By Mark Palmer
As the Philadelphia union District 33 workers continue their garbage collection strike, now in its second week – with no signs of resolution – city residents are becoming more aggravated by the results of the gamesmanship being played by both sides.
On one side is the District Council 33, the largest municipal workers union in the city, and a key Democratic supporter, including in the current mayor’s election. They want an annual wage increase of 5% per year for the next three years plus major supplements to their existing healthcare plan.
On another side is Mayor Cherelle Parker, the first female ever elected mayor of Philadelphia, who also happens to be black. Her team is offering a 5% increase over the next three years and a revised plan of supporting the existing healthcare plan the union currently has in place. She is cognizant that the leadership and members of District Council 33 was important constituencies in helping her get elected in 2023. She will most likely need their support again in 2027 should she decide to run for reelection. So her approach thus far is to handle them with kid gloves.
Then, in the middle of the mess and the madness, are the residents of Philadelphia. Not since the garbage strike of 1986 – July 1-20th to be exact – has there been a similar strike. During that time, W. Wilson Goode was the mayor. The trash has not been a city wide trash strike is underway.
There is speculation that in the gentrified areas, the local community members have contracted with private trash collection companies to provide services while the City and District Council 33 continue their mediations.
This test of political testosterone will end. The most like scenario is the strike being settled before July 20th, to avoid additional voter – and resident – ire at Mayor Parker!
How long can the city take the smell, and the national embarrassment of being Philthydelphia? Clearly, this is not good for tourism, nor for branding – whether it’s sports (Eagles, Phillies, WNBA, FIFA), real estate values, or employment recruitment!
How will it end? It will end with Mayor Parker being forced to make cost concessions that will be used against her in future negotiations with other labor unions within the city. Philadelphia is a union town.
This will precipitate stronger resistance to her reign and effectiveness as mayor and thereby produce greater challenges to her reelection in 2027.
If the Democratic Socialists make another strong showing, as they recently did in New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary, the battle may be uphill for Mayor Parker.
While New York is not Philadelphia, it is worth watching to see how the mayor – not District Council 33 – manages this voter confidence crisis. If she falters here, how will she manage whatever the crisis sure to occur in 2026 when the eyes of world will converge onto Philadelphia for the nation’s 250th anniversary, with all of its inherent risks?
Later on, District 33 and Mayor Parker will kiss and makeup. After all, politics is politics, and she needs them more than they need her.
