Posts tagged PHILADELPHIA
Philly teachers union and school district reach tentative contract agreement
August 26, 2025 // The agreement, if approved by the union's 14,000 members, would end the possibility of a teachers strike, which members had voted to authorize earlier this summer. As negotiations continued between the two sides in recent weeks, teachers were beginning to make picket signs in preparation for a potential work stoppage.
Steelworkers President Michael Evanovich Faces Indictments
August 21, 2025 // Michael Evanovich, President of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1219, faces indictments for embezzlement and false reporting. From the Department of Labor:
Layoffs, frustrated public among concerns for union president ahead of SEPTA cuts
August 19, 2025 // "What I'm going to do is send a letter to Chief Bethel and the Chief of Transit Police and ask them, on the 24th, that they man our lines. It's going to be a frustrating time, and I'm worried that the backlash is going to come on my operators - and I'm not going to accept that," he said. Pollitt added that some union members are also concerned about potential layoffs. While workers with more than a year on the job are contractually protected, those with less than a year are not - a group he estimates includes more than 700 employees. However, SEPTA says there are no immediate plans for layoffs. "As we get started, there's no immediate plans for layoffs," said SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch.
THE BLUE DIVIDE
August 13, 2025 // The documents are an incomplete and opaque window into the finances for the Survivors’ Fund and Lodge 5, which are both 501(c) nonprofits. Another FOP nonprofit, the Home Association, operates the 7C Lounge, an expansive bar decorated in gleaming dark wood in the union’s 50,000-square-foot headquarters. A comprehensive financial picture of the nonprofits would be possible only by examining all credit card statements, receipts, and records. Those records are not publicly available, and even union members say FOP leaders have only allowed them to view a limited selection of documents.
Philadelphia teachers prepare for possible strike if a deal is not reached by Aug. 31
August 8, 2025 // The union is asking for an end to the school district's controversial sick leave policy, which it says punishes teachers for using sick days and requires them to meet with their principal after taking three days. The union also wants paid parental leave, extra pay for oversized classes and the restoration of school libraries. The union's president, Arthur Steinberg, said teachers don't want to go on strike, but the union, which represents nearly 14,000 teachers, is "not even close to working out a deal with the school district.
Commentary: Throwing out the garbage? Did you ask your local union first?
July 9, 2025 // The behavior of public-sector unions is enough to make you puke. This is true figuratively, when, as a matter of course, these groups bankrupt cities and states with unsustainable contract demands and tie the hands of elected officials to run the governments voters chose them to lead. But it was also true literally in Philadelphia, where an eight-day strike caused trash to pile up across the city.
Mayor Parker, unwavering in negotiations, dangles holiday pay incentive to end strike
July 6, 2025 // Though typically not part of a union negotiation that often includes wages, paid time off policies and health benefits, the Parker administration is trying to lump in dedicated low interest 30-year home mortgages for DC33 union members as part of their contract deal. The administration is also offering special dedicated access to all the home affordability programs she’s been spearheading.
Philly strike updates: Negotiations to resume as trash piles up; city worker charged in tire-slashing incident
July 2, 2025 // DC 33 worker charged with vandalism for slashing PGW tractor tires A Philadelphia Parks and Recreation employee and member of District Council 33 has been charged with slashing the tire of a Philadelphia Gas Works digger loader amid the municipal worker strike, police said.
Philadelphia, city’s largest blue-collar workers union to continue talks Sunday as strike looms, union says
June 30, 2025 // CBS News Philadelphia asked if any contingency plans were being made, but the mayor didn't answer that question. If an agreement is not reached, the strike would start at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning, which is only days before the city's Wawa Welcome America July Fourth Festival.
Philadelphia teachers have voted to authorize a strike. Here’s what to know
June 20, 2025 // Ten percent of the district’s budget comes from federal dollars, and the Trump administration has threatened various cuts to those funding streams. The district is also facing a fiscal shortfall of more than $300 million for 2026. Superintendent Tony Watlington and other officials decided to extract 40% of the district’s rainy day fund to cover the difference and stave off budget and programming cuts for one more year, but the deficit is set to keep ballooning in size. The district in March blamed inflation, employee salaries and benefits, and charter school payments for the growing expenses. The union has stood staunchly in opposition to charter expansion, with President Steinberg harshly criticizing the Board of Education for approving a new charter school in recent weeks.