The City of Philadelphia and DC 47 Union Reach Agreement After Lawsuit
After a summer filled with tension and a lawsuit against the city, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced on Friday that a union representing thousands of city employees has agreed to a one-year contract extension. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 47 (DC 47) consists of over 7,000 members who work in various sectors, including nonprofit, higher education, cultural, arts, and government. The union’s contract expired in June amid a push by Parker for workers to return to the office five days a week, leading to a legal battle which the union ultimately lost.
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Under the terms of the new agreement, all DC 47 employees will receive a substantial 4.4% pay increase for fiscal year 2025 – the largest single-year raise for the union in three decades. Additionally, active city employees as of August 9 will also receive a one-time bonus of $1,400. Benefits are also getting a boost, with the city agreeing to contribute $850,000 towards DC 47’s health and welfare fund. Paid parental leave will be extended, and employees will now have the flexibility to use sick leave to care for ill family members.
“I believe this is a fair deal for every individual in District Council 47, and it’s a fair deal for the taxpayers of the city of Philadelphia,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “I am proud to stand here with the men and women of the Parker administration who negotiated this deal and got it done.”
Despite the Mayor’s enthusiasm, DC 47’s leadership expressed disappointment with the agreement. Union President David Wilson highlighted the inequality in raises compared to other unions and the removal of hybrid work arrangements.
Looking ahead to future negotiations for a permanent deal, DC 47 is aiming for a multi-year agreement with salary increases, expanded benefits, tuition reimbursement, and more. The agreement does not impact DC 33, which represents blue-collar city workers and is currently in the process of negotiating a new contract.
While challenges and differing expectations remain, both sides are committed to working towards a fair and mutually beneficial agreement that meets the needs of the union members and the city of Philadelphia.