Municipal Workers Rally as Strike Looms

On Thursday, thousands of workers congregated at Love Park in downtown Philadelphia to let Mayor Nutter know that they are prepared to fight and potentially strike for a fair contract. During the rally, workers from AFSCME District Council 33 were chanting "No Contract No Peace" and carrying signs which read "Shut it Down," and "On Strike-Municipal Workers D.C. 33." The contract between the City and four municipal unions including D.C. 33 and 47, and the police and firefighters unions, expires at midnight on June 30th. While the city seeks to flatten workers' wages and cut contributions in healthcare and pension to mitigate the budget shortfall, union leaders explain that they will not give up already hard won benefits, as workers did not "create this crisis."

The rally brought together leaders from AFSCME District Councils' 33 and 47 as well as SEIU 32BJ and the Transportation Workers Union local 234. SEIU 32BJ Mid-Atlantic Area Director Wayne Macmaniman said of the rally, Thousands of hard-working City workers united in the streets yesterday to send a loud and clear message to the Mayor that they need and deserve livable wages and benefits to provide for their families." He continued, "Philadelphians who keep the City running will not rollover and accept the Mayor' proposed cuts in pay and health care.Mr. Macmaniman's words foreshadow the upcoming struggle city worker's face to make sure the burden of Philadelphia's budget shortfall is not placed on the back of poor and working class communities.

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