John,

I have good news to share — not just for the hard-working men and women of AFSCME DC 33, but for every resident, every neighborhood, and every business across our city.

After productive negotiations, I am proud to announce that the City of Philadelphia has reached an agreement with DC 33 that is good for workers and good for the fiscal health of our city. This agreement ends the work stoppage that affected essential services, including trash collection, street maintenance, water operations, and many other departments.

This is more than just a contract. It is a reflection of our values.

The members of DC 33 are the human infrastructure that makes Philadelphia run. They are the workers who show up every single day, no matter the weather or the challenge.

The new three-year contract, once ratified by DC 33’s membership, builds on the one-year extension we reached last fall. These agreements will raise wages by 14 percent, the strongest contract DC 33 has seen in a single Mayoral term in more than 30 years. And it reflects a principle I have made clear from the start: when people do the work, they deserve to be respected, protected, and paid.

This contract is fair. It is fiscally responsible. And it honors the people who keep Philadelphia moving.

I want to thank the leadership of DC 33, and especially President Greg Boulware, for his leadership and determination throughout this process. I also want to thank the residents and businesses of Philadelphia for your patience and support as we worked toward a resolution rooted in fairness and mutual respect.

As your Mayor, I know I cannot do this work alone. I rely on strong partners in organized labor, in City Council, and in every corner of our city to deliver real results.

This agreement shows what we can achieve when we come together, stay rooted in our shared values, and put people first.

There is more work to do. But today, we took a huge step forward – together.

One Philly. A United City.

— Mayor Parker