District Council 33 ratifies city workers contract

AFSCME District Council 33 members ratified a new contract with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration, concluding an eight-day strike that disrupted municipal services, including trash collection. The ratification vote revealed that nearly 65% of the 2,375 participating members approved the deal, with 35% opposing it. This union represents approximately 9,000 city workers across various departments, including sanitation and the library system. The strike began when the previous contract expired on July 1, leading to negotiations that resulted in a three-year contract featuring 3% annual raises, a $1,500 bonus, and an expanded pay scale. Garbage collection remains delayed despite workers returning to their duties, prompting the Department of Sanitation to prioritize trash collection.

Residents are advised to report missed collections to 311 while leaving refuse on the curb. AFSCME District Council 47, a counterpart to DC 33, reached a tentative contract agreement last week, with a ratification vote currently ongoing. This contract approval signifies a resolution to labor disputes affecting municipal services in the city.