2025 DC 33 Strike

The 2025 DC 33 strike was a work stoppage by approximately 9,000 blue-collar and related employees of the City of Philadelphia that began on July 1, 2025, and lasted about eight days. It was a major municipal strike that affected trash collection, recreation centers, pools and libraries, while emergency services including 911 continued.^[1]

1 Background and demands

The union's previous contract had expired, and it bargained with the administration of Mayor Cherelle Parker. DC 33 initially sought raises of 8 percent per year and later lowered its ask to 5 percent. The union also opposed city proposals concerning control of medical claims payments, a surcharge for smokers and changes to sick leave and work policies. Union leaders emphasized low pay: the Fortune account noted that some sanitation wages were reported as low as $46,000 a year. The city, bound by a five-year plan reviewed by PICA and wary of the cost of precedent for other unions, said it was offering what it could afford.^[2]

2 The strike

The union announced the strike early on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Mayor Parker announced that residential trash collection would be suspended, some city pools would close, recreation center hours would be shortened, and temporary drop-off sites for garbage would be set up, where waste piled up. Libraries closed. Emergency services remained staffed. Many municipal services residents rely on, including those of the Streets Department, Parks and Recreation and Free Library, were affected. Pennsylvania law permits many civilian city employees to strike; see Public Sector Bargaining in Pennsylvania.

3 The agreement

A tentative agreement was reached on July 9, and the strike ended. The three-year deal, for 2025 to 2028, provides 3 percent annual raises, about 9 percent over the term, a $1,500 bonus, a fifth pay step for most members, a third step for school crossing guards, and expanded bereavement leave (four days for the death of a close family member). The city estimated the cost at about $115 million.

4 Ratification and reaction

A seven-day in-person vote at the union's West Philadelphia headquarters ran from July 14 to July 20. Of 2,375 votes counted, 1,535 supported ratification and 838 opposed; the American Arbitration Association certified the result, and union president Greg Boulware said the city should begin issuing bonuses. Roughly three-quarters of members did not vote, according to the Inquirer. Some members expressed dissatisfaction, and union leaders said they would return to the table in three years. DC 47, the city's white-collar union, reached its own tentative agreement on July 15, avoiding a second walkout.^[3]

5 Aftermath

The strike became a reference point for subsequent bargaining with police and firefighters, whose Act 111 arbitration awards are covered in FOP Lodge 5 and IAFF Local 22. It also influenced debates about city wages and the city budget, and is an example in Labor and Politics in Philadelphia.

See also: Organized Labor in Philadelphia, Mayor of Philadelphia, Philly311.

References

1. Fortune, "Philadelphia union strike, trash, Mayor Parker, emergency services, District Council 33" (July 2, 2025); AOL/AP, "Thousands of city workers go on strike in Philadelphia" (July 2025).
2. CBS News Philadelphia, "Philadelphia's DC 33 ratifies new contract after tentative agreement. What's next?" (July 2025).
3. Philadelphia Inquirer, "Trash workers DC 33 contract vote approved" (July 21, 2025); 6abc and PhillyVoice reports on ratification results.