Could Trash Pile Up Across the City If DC 33 Goes On Strike?



by Alex Lloyd Gross

As of right now. effective 12:01 AM Tuesday July 1 2025 DC 33 is going to go on strike, for better pay and benefits. This union consists of Sanitation Workers, Emergency Dispatchers, for example. They are just some of the workers that DC 33 entails. While the strike is not absolute, there could be an agreement at any time, we must remember July 1986.

The Mayor Wilson Goode designated spots in different areas of the city where people could dump their trash. Veterans Stadium, areas off of I-95 and just off Northeast Avenue were a few of those locations. Imagine hundreds of strangers dumping bags of trash across the street from where you live or where you work. Within a few days the stench is unbearable but more people are coming. Bags of diapers, uneaten or spoiled food, dog and cat excrement, Old, wet newspapers and construction debris are just some of the contents of the waste you will have to contend with if that plan is done again.

In July, 1986, residents along Northeast Avenue took up watch posts to insure no one dumped more trash across from their homes. Rats and other vermin were starting to make appearances. Police were detailed there and closed that dump site.

Mayor Parker is continuing to negotiate with the union. Some people are planning to haul their trash to work, or make arrangements with friends and family that live in the suburbs. Others have more nefarious way to dispose of their trash.

In a statement to the media from Greg Boulware, from the DC 33, “Our members of DC 33 make an average salary of $46,000 a year. The cost to live in Philadelphia for one single $60,000 a year, while the rent is $1,800 a month. Our members do not make enough money to afford those costs,” Boulware said. “We recognize the mayor has signed a 5 percent agreement just back in the fall. We had to fight for that. We now are having to stand up and fight for more.”

The city and the union made some agreements but not enough to avoid a strike. This situation is fluid. A strike could be called or canceled at any moment past July 1, 2025.


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2 thoughts on “Could Trash Pile Up Across the City If DC 33 Goes On Strike?

  1. Matt S says:

    The Real Person Badge!

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    Imagine those that plan on doing 4th of July BBQ’s….
    Imagine the big ole rats having their own feasts….
    And imagine the stench of the Hot Summer ahead…
    LOL!

  2. Al Dente says:

    The Real Person Badge!

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    So much for the “Office of Clean and Green Initiatives.” What was the point of it if you’re not going to pay your sanitation workers? How will our libraries operate? How effective will 911 be now? Along with Septa’s doomsday plan, we’re headed for dark times.

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