It seems the City of Brotherly Love isn't being so lovely going into a holiday weekend, as Pennsylvania's largest city is experiencing the rather disgusting effects of a worker's union strike.
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Nearly 10,000 blue-collar city workers, represented by District Council 33 (DC 33) of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), are currently on strike — the union's first major strike in nearly four decades. After negotiations between the union -- which seeks better pay and benefits to keep up with Philly's rising cost of living -- and the city fell flat, the union's strike began on July 1.
What's affected? Nearly everything.
Curbside residential trash and recycling collection was immediately suspended. Piles on piles on piles of trash are cumulating on the streets, and folks took to social media to showcase the mayhem.
"Dumpsters overflowing. Trash drop-off sites spilling into the streets. This is what collapse looks like on Day 1," one person wrote on X.
The massive trash piles is even more concerning as a suspected influx of garbage is expected due to the July 4th weekend— only making matters more dire.
The city did set up six permanent sanitation centers and over 60 temporary neighborhood drop-off sites for residents, however, these sites face challenges of its own with picketing workers and concerns about overflowing trash. Some X users had an alternative solution: to drop trash off at city hall or Mayor Cherelle Parker's home.
Garbage pickup isn't the only service affected. No more crossing guards, recreation centers has reduced hours with evening programs paused, and all free Library of Philadelphia branches — used to provide kids free lunches per Philly Summer Meals program — are temporarily closed. The Medical Examiner's Office now has a backlog of bodies and crowded cold storage, as striking staff includes death investigators, forensic technicians, and clerical staff.
Residents can still utilize 911 services, after Common Pleas Court Judge Sierra Thomas-Street ordered 237 of the 325 dispatchers back to work because their absence creates a "clear and present danger to threat to health, safety or welfare of the public." But expect longer-than-average wait times.
What's not affected? Police and firefighters and the Philadelphia International Airport remains open and fully operational. The Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July Festivities, which includes a concert and fireworks, are expected to go on as planned.
Negotiations between DC 33 and the city resumed on Wednesday (July 2), and its unclear if they will reconvene Thursday. According to reports, the city has put its "best offer on the table."
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