Regular trash pickup resumes in Philadelphia as DC 33 members begin voting on contract

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Residential trash pickup resumed in Philadelphia on Monday, nearly two weeks after 9,000 members of District Council 33 went on strike.

Those members also began the weeklong process of voting on a new contract.

"We are still in the fight," said Tariq Barry as he headed into AFSCME DC 33 headquarters on Monday morning to cast his vote.

Another member, who only shared his first name, John, had a message for Mayor Cherelle Parker.

"Spread the wealth a little," he said.

They have until Sunday to cast their ballot.

The votes will be counted next Monday, July 21, and the results will be announced. If union members don't approve the deal, leaders would have to go back to the drawing board.

Meanwhile, residents were thrilled to see the sanitation workers back on the job. The trash had been piling up in some parts of the city during the walkout.

"I'm glad they got a raise. It's well deserved," said Andrew Markman Guzick, a Fairmount resident.

The day the strike ended, Parker held an energetic press conference, applauding the work by city leadership at the bargaining table.

Greg Bouleware, the union president, had a different take on the outcome.

"I don't know what's to celebrate. The same poor people who were poor yesterday are still poor today. The 3% helps a little," Boulware said. "We did accomplish quite a bit, but if they feel like it's unsatisfactory to their needs they have that voice."

Union officials say on average, members earn $46,000 a year.
Under the tentative agreement, they'll receive a three percent raise each year for three years, with a $1,500 bonus the first year.

A number of other city services at libraries, rec centers and pools will also resume normal operations.