HAPPENING NOW: Confronting a severe governance crisis, a liberal Democrat-run city is crumbling under the weight of union demands as nearly 10,000 municipal workers walked off the job today, leaving garbage piling up and 911 calls going unanswered.
Watch the video further down this post.
Philadelphia’s Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration failed to reach an agreement with the union, showcasing yet another example of progressive cities unable to manage basic services while taxpayers suffer.
The strike began today and was called by District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees after contract negotiations collapsed.
Essential city services, including trash collection, 911 call response, and pool maintenance, have been severely impacted, creating a public health and safety crisis for Philadelphia residents during the peak summer season.
While Mayor Parker claims the city offered a fair contract including a 13% raise over four years, union bosses demanded more from the taxpayer-funded coffers, including 8% annual raises, cost-of-living adjustments, pandemic bonuses, and full health care coverage.
This excessive demand comes as working Americans across the country struggle with inflation and rising costs created by the past administration’s economic policies.
The union’s Facebook declaration urging members to “HOLD THE LINES” demonstrates their willingness to hold city residents hostage while pushing for unsustainable financial demands.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia taxpayers face deteriorating conditions with residential trash collection suspended, some city pools closed, and recreation center hours shortened – all during the Fourth of July holiday week.
Mayor Parker, attempting to downplay the crisis, told residents to “Keep your holiday plans. Don’t leave the city.”
This tone-deaf response fails to address the serious public health hazards posed by uncollected trash accumulating on city streets during summer heat.
City officials have announced trash drop-off sites, essentially pushing the burden of dealing with garbage onto already overtaxed citizens.
🚨 BREAKING: Over 9k City workers STRIKE in #philadelphia at midnight, July 1.
"There’s something wrong when a lot of our men and women are essentially the working poor inside this city," @AFSCME District Council 33 president Greg Boulware tells @maximillian_alv pic.twitter.com/jtgb0HMjEP
— The Real News (@TheRealNews) July 1, 2025
The current crisis follows a pattern of Democrat-led cities caving to union demands at taxpayer expense.
Recently, Philadelphia’s transit system narrowly avoided a strike by agreeing to a one-year contract with 5% raises, which is well above the average 3% raises received by most private-sector workers.
This latest municipal workers’ strike underscores the unsustainable spiral of public sector union demands that ultimately lead to higher taxes or reduced services.
Although police and firefighters are not participating in the strike, emergency services remain compromised as 911 call centers face staffing shortages.
The city has advised residents to “remain patient” when calling emergency services – cold comfort to citizens facing potential life-threatening situations where every second counts.
As garbage piles up and essential services deteriorate, Philadelphia’s predicament serves as a warning about the consequences of unchecked union power and progressive governance.
Hard-working Americans across the country should take note as they watch yet another blue city fall victim to unsustainable public sector demands and fiscal mismanagement.
