Latest news with #AFSCME
CBS News
14 hours ago
- CBS News
Judge orders Philadelphia 911 dispatchers to return to work amid strike
Hours into Philadelphia's largest strike in decades, a judge has sided with the city and ordered more than 200 911 dispatchers to return to work. AFSCME District Council 33, which represents thousands of city workers, including trash collectors and police dispatchers, walked off the job on Tuesday after negotiations didn't end in a deal. Earlier Tuesday, a judge issued a preliminary injunction for the complaint after the city said the strike is posing unacceptable threats to public safety. The complaint filed by the city Tuesday morning said there is no substitute to the 911 emergency system, and shortly after midnight Tuesday, dispatchers walked off the job in the middle of their shift. According to the complaint, the city does not have the staff to operate the call center without trained dispatchers to avoid threats to public health, safety or welfare. "These are our front-line workers," Councilmember Jamie Gauthier said. "These are the people who are answering the phone when people are having the worst moments of their entire lives. They are underpaid. They are overworked." Gauthier has been a longtime supporter of better pay for dispatchers. When the workers went on strike at midnight, the city had police officers fill those dispatcher positions. "Obviously, it's not a replacement for the people who are skilled at this job," Gauthier said. "The people who have been trained to do this job, and the people who frankly deserve to be paid well to do this job." The city's complaint said police officers need to focus on their primary jobs and cited the Nicetown house explosion just two days ago as an example of a crisis situation that would especially strain the 911 call center. According to the complaint, there are 325 911 dispatchers in the city. The job requires 6-8 weeks of classroom training and four weeks of on-the-job training.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Jersey's Phil Murphy takes heat from all sides in final budget as governor
TRENTON, New Jersey — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday night signed his final budget — and faced rare and biting criticisms from within his own administration and longtime allies. Two members of his own Cabinet called parts of the $58.8 billion spending plan a 'terrible idea' and 'a great disappointment.' And over the course of Monday, unions Murphy counted among his strongest supporters came out to attack the governor — showing how vulnerable the term-limited Democrat is to criticism as he heads toward lame-duck status. "He remains a Wall Street banker at heart and has put the interests of the insurance companies and CEO's above the interests of everyday working people,' Steve Tully, executive director of AFSCME New Jersey Council 63 union, said in a statement related to a disagreement in cuts to health care spending for state workers. 'While Governor Murphy heads to his villa in Italy this summer, tens of thousands of workers will be worrying how they are going to be able to afford the astronomical health care increases that are coming.' Murphy and the state's top legislative Democrats were eager to point out the spending plan includes a full $7.2 billion payment into the state's notoriously underfunded pension fund for public workers, $12 billion in record funding for public schools and a continuation of popular property tax relief programs. And the state surplus stands at $6.7 billion — magnitudes larger than the $409 million surplus Murphy got when he came into office. 'This budget exemplifies our dedication to fiscal responsibility, affordability, and opportunity for all New Jerseyans,' Murphy said in a statement. 'Over nearly eight years in office, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to building a stronger and fairer New Jersey and righting our fiscal ship. I'm proud that this budget caps off an eight-year journey to turn our state around and delivers greater economic security and opportunity to every family.' The final spending plan had similar broad strokes to what Murphy proposed in February, with $727 million added in recent days by Democratic lawmakers. It also has a $1.5 billion structural deficit, meaning it spends more than it collects in revenue. Last-minute additions made public late Friday drew the ire of a top Democratic lawmaker, two members of Murphy's Cabinet and a group of public-sector unions and environmental groups that have traditionally been allied with Murphy and Democrats. Ironically, Murphy also faced criticism from a Senate Republican for not doing enough to prepare the state for Medicaid cuts likely to be imposed by fellow Republicans in Washington. Sen. Declan O'Scanlon, the Monmouth County Republican who serves as his party's chief budget officer, proposed an amendment on the Senate floor Monday to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in 'pork' spending and set it aside in part to deal with federal cuts Democrats have been warning about but this budget deal does not prepare New Jersey for. The proposal was rejected by legislative Democrats. It's the criticism from within the Democratic governor's own house and his longtime allies that is most striking and a sign of Murphy's limited time left in Trenton. The biggest internal criticism came from Attorney General Matt Platkin, a longtime Murphy ally, who called out plans to give hospitals money he helped win in opioid litigation. 'Last night, I learned — to my great disappointment — that the budget the Legislature is considering would deplete our hard-won opioid settlement dollars by sending $45 million to hospital systems for uses that have not been identified,' Platkin said in a statement Monday morning. 'My office fought for years against companies who profited off the deaths and addiction of thousands upon thousands of New Jerseyans.' On Sunday, acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh called out another part of the budget deal that allows state money to go to low-rated nursing homes. 'This budget provision is a terrible idea,' Walsh said in a statement. 'It is a giveaway to the nursing home industry and will worsen care in nursing homes.' The Legislature's top lawmaker was quick to push back against the critiques from cabinet officials. 'When did they run for office? Did they run for office?' Senate President Nick Scutari — who played a key role in budget negotiations — said. 'Because I didn't see that. I think that one of them is the chief law enforcement officer, and the other one is kind of more of an auditor, so I don't think that's within their purview to do.' The nursing home industry — and Murphy — were under considerable scrutiny during the Covid-19 pandemic for poor care in nursing homes and the state's handling of Covid-19 patients. The nursing home industry in particular has been the subject of continued scrutiny in the state and nationwide. It's unusual for one much less two Cabinet members to speak out. Platkin and Walsh, though both nominated by the governor, have offices with independence from the governor. Platkin's criticism was aimed at plans to send $45 million to Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJ Barnabas, Cooper University Health Care and Atlantic Health. The budget language says it must be in line with the opioid settlement requirements. Platkin said the budget deal 'ignores' recommendations released by the state's Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council, which was created to advise how to spend the settlement funds. He also explicitly called on the Legislature and Murphy to 'reject' the proposal. The state is set to receive over $1 billion through 2038 stemming from several settlements related to the opioid crisis, with state leaders adamant that the funds be used to treat opioid addiction and not plug budget holes like the infamous tobacco settlements from decades ago. Senate Budget and Appropriations Chair Paul Sarlo said the funds would help hospitals provide harm reduction services for opioid treatment and suggested that it would help with possible federal Medicaid cuts. 'These hospitals — they're gonna be on the front line of these Medicaid cuts,' Sarlo told reporters. But it wasn't just administration officials that were displeased with the newest changes. Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Chair Joe Vitale said that sending opioid settlement funds to four hospital systems was 'an awful addition to the budget' that he would seek to prevent in following years. He similarly criticized the changes for nursing homes. 'It undermines the ability to make nursing homes safer in a manner that's cooperative,' said Vitale, who went on to vote for the budget. 'This is an attack on public safety. And I'll do everything I can to undo it.' The state's long-term care ombudsperson — who was nominated by Murphy — said the budget deal on nursing homes was a 'complete giveaway to the nursing home industry.' 'The rich get richer and the poor get nothing,' the ombudsperson, Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, said in a statement over the weekend. 'At this point, the Legislature is throwing money at nursing home owners and stripping away the state's own ability to ensure better quality.' The spending plan comes amid the governor's race to succeed Murphy and as all seats in the state Assembly are up for election this fall. Legislative Democrats will be eager to highlight continuation of funding for popular property tax relief programs — like the ANCHOR program, which provides rebates of $1,500 to homeowners and $450 for qualifying renters, with another $250 for seniors. The budget also included $280 million for Stay NJ, the program that will cut property taxes in half for seniors making up to $500,000, and the Senior Freeze program, which also provides direct property tax relief for seniors. But the budget is not without its potential political risks. Another last-minute addition — one of several options proposed by Murphy and agreed upon by Assembly Democrats — requires the state government workers' health program to find $100 million in savings through a committee that has labor and management representatives. The government covers most of the health care costs for employees on the state-run public worker health insurance program, which has seen rising expenses. The program — especially for local governments — is teetering on the brink of insolvency. The $100 million cut has ruptured Murphy's longtime relationship with public-sector unions. After the budget was passed, a group of unions representing state workers — including the CWA, Rutgers AAUP-AFT, AFSCME New Jersey Health Professionals & Allied Employees and Policemen's Benevolent Association — blasted the measure. Tully, the AFSCME director, said Murphy is 'out of touch' and Democratic Assemblymember Wayne DeAngelo, who is closely aligned with labor interests, abstained on the budget over the proposal. In a statement, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said he would hold hearings in July to discuss government worker health insurance and suggested that unanticipated revenues could subsidize increased costs. The budget also redirects $190 million from the Board of Public Utilities' clean energy fund to prop up NJ Transit and pad the budget surplus. Groups like Environment New Jersey and the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters criticized the decision as a gimmick and accused Democrats who are usually their allies of treating the ratepayer dollars the BPU collects like a slush fund. The budget includes modified versions of tax increases sought by Murphy. The two major tax increases raised the tax rate for online sports and online gambling as well as the sale of real estate valued over $2 million. The state budget could soon be upended, with state lawmakers keeping a close eye to the Congressional Republicans' bill that could upend Medicaid or federal funding cuts from the Trump administration. 'I think what concerns people is what's going to come out of the federal government,' Scutari said. 'Far as I can tell, that surplus can't make up for humongous federal budgetary cuts.' The budget passed 26-13 in the Senate and 52-27-1 in the Assembly on Monday. Two GOP lawmakers, Assemblymember Sean Kean and Sen. Bob Singer, crossed party lines to support it.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Philadelphia city workers strike after contract talks fail
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia who collect trash, answer 911 calls, maintain city pools and perform other jobs went on strike Tuesday after contract negotiations broke down. District Council 33 President Greg Boulware said the city hadn't agreed to a high enough wage increase, WPVI-TV reported. Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city would suspend residential trash collection, close some city pools and shorten recreation center hours, but vowed to keep the city running. Police and firefighters are not on strike. Parker, a pro-labor Democrat, promised that Fourth of July celebrations in the nation's birthplace would go on as usual. 'Keep your holiday plans. Don't leave the city,' she said at a Monday afternoon news conference that followed hours of last-minute negotiations. City officials urged residents to be patient and not hang up should they need to call either 911 or the city's non-emergency helpline. They said they would open drop-off sites for residential trash. Parker said she had offered raises that amount to 13% over her four-year term and added a fifth step to the pay scale to align with other unionized workers. District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is the largest of four unions representing city workers. 'We believe it's a fair offer and still fiscally responsible for the people of this city,' said Parker, who took office last year. Union leaders, in their initial contract proposal, asked for 8% annual raises each year of the three-year contract, along with cost-of-living hikes and bonuses of up to $5,000 for those who worked through the pandemic. The union also asked the city to pay the full cost of employee health care, or $1,700 per person per month. 'District Council 33's members contribute as much blood, sweat and tears as does anyone else,' they said in a demand letter. 'We all make the city work. Our contract must reflect that reality.' In November, the city transit system averted a strike when the parties agreed to a one-year contract with 5% raises.
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Philadelphia's largest blue-collar workers' union goes on strike for first time in nearly 40 years
Philadelphia's largest city workers' union is going on strike for the first time in nearly 40 years on Tuesday after a deal couldn't be reached with the city. AFSCME District Council 33, which represents thousands of city workers, is walking off the job after negotiations didn't end in a deal. The union last went on a strike in 1986. Here's what you need to know about the strike and how it will affect Philadelphia. Who does AFSCME District Council 33 represent? District Council 33 represents about 9,000 city workers in services handled by the Sanitation Department, Water Department, Police Dispatch, Streets Department, maintenance at the airport and more. The union left Monday morning's negotiations with the Parker administration without a new contract in place. "Sometimes in life, you've got to take a step backward to take meaningful steps forward," DC 33 President Greg Boulware said Monday morning before the strike. "And our men and women don't want to do it, and truth be told, can't afford to do it, we can't continue going down the road that we've been going for this many years. We have to see change." What does AFSCME District Council 33 want? The union is fighting for higher pay and health care benefits. DC 33 is seeking an 8% pay increase every year for four years and health care benefits for all employees. Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a video on social media over the weekend that her administration proposed a deal to increase workers' pay by more than 12% over her term. She called it the largest one-term pay increase from any mayor in more than three decades. She added that health care coverage would not be taken away. What happens to trash pickup in Philadelphia with workers on strike? Parker said on Monday that Philadelphia residents should refrain from placing trash and recycling cans at the curb starting Tuesday with a strike in effect. She also urged Philadelphians not to dump trash anywhere illegally. "Obviously, this is the topic that is on everyone's minds today. How will the city dispose of my trash if there's a work stoppage? If there is a work stoppage, the Department of Sanitation will be operating on what we refer to as a modified capacity," Parker said Monday. "There will be no residential trash collection or recycling effective Tuesday, July 1. We encourage residents, and we ask you to please refrain from placing any trash or recycling out for curbside collection until further notice." A photo from the last District Council 33 strike in Philadelphia in 1986. Parker said the city is arranging 63 temporary drop-off locations for Philadelphia residents to bring their trash because of the strike, and that the list would be available on the city's website. Residents should bring their trash on their regular collection days, and more locations will open if needed, the mayor said. The temporary drop-off locations will be open starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Then, they'll be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The six Sanitation Convenience Centers will be open from 6 a.m. through 10 p.m. every day. However, all convenience centers and temporary sites will be closed for the Fourth of July if the strike goes on that long. The city is asking residents to bring no more than eight bags of trash at a time and not to bring any loose trash. Recyclable materials will only be accepted at the six Sanitation Convenience Centers. The city is asking residents to hold onto recycling materials for as long as possible because the trash will be the main priority due to health and safety concerns. What else will the strike affect in Philadelphia? The strike will also affect rec center programs, 911 dispatch, airport operation workers, some Water Department staff, and other city employees, including the Department of Public Health, Department of Revenue services and License and Inspection enforcement. Philadelphia police said the department will move 200 officers into the 911 operations call center because of the strike. Officials are asking for callers' patience when they call 911 because wait times will increase, and they said callers should not hang up. With the strike in effect, the city will keep only 25 city pools open, as DC 33 workers are responsible for pool maintenance. The Parks and Recreation website will have information about which pools are open. The Water Department said it is cross-training employees to assist during a strike. Still, the department said customers could experience longer wait times for service and repairs, and workers will prioritize repairs by severity and available resources. The Water Department said its customer contact line will remain open but wait times could be longer than usual. Residents can call 215-685-6300 to report emergency issues. Customers should use the self-service options online and over the phone to pay bills and get account information. Philadelphia International Airport will remain open and operational, officials said. A spokesperson for the airport said workers who are not part of the union will cover DC 33 jobs during the strike. According to the mayor's office, most Department of Health services in the city will be available, but some services at health centers might be "temporarily unavailable or delayed." Some appointments could also be moved to virtual, and other services might be referred out to another provider. Strike happens days before Wawa Welcome America July Fourth Festival District Council 33 is going on strike days ahead of the city hosting the Wawa Welcome America July Fourth Festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. LL Cool J and Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan are the headliners of the event. Parker said on Monday that the events will continue as planned.
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
What happens to trash pickup in Philadelphia if city workers go on strike? What to know as DC 33 strike looms
Employees with AFSCME District Council 33, Philadelphia's largest blue-collar workers union, could go on strike Tuesday morning at 12:01 a.m. if representatives do not reach a deal with the city by then. That includes many Department of Sanitation workers who pick up trash from Philadelphians' homes. Starting Tuesday morning, if workers are on strike, Mayor Cherelle Parker says city residents should not put their trash and recycling out on the curb. Residents can take their trash to one of 63 temporary locations that will open in the event of a strike. The mayor said the list would be available on the city's website, and residents should bring their garbage on their regular collection days. She said the city will open more locations if needed. "Obviously, this is the topic that is on everyone's minds today. How will the city dispose of my trash if there's a work stoppage? If there is a work stoppage, the Department of Sanitation will be operating on what we refer to as a modified capacity," Parker said during a press conference Monday. "There will be no residential trash collection or recycling effective Tuesday, July 1. We encourage residents, and we ask you to please refrain from placing any trash or recycling out for curbside collection until further notice." Street sweeping, bulk collection and clean block Saturdays will stop if a strike happens, officials said. Recycling will only be collected at sanitation convenience centers. A list of sanitation convenience centers is on the city's website. DC 33 includes about 9,000 blue-collar city workers from the streets, water and sanitation departments, as well as police dispatch and airport operations. The union is seeking an 8% pay increase every year for four years and health care benefits for all employees. Parker claimed over the weekend that the city offered a more than 12% wage increase over her four-year term to the table — and kept health care coverage intact. She said the city will continue to come to the table. Photos from the last time this union went on strike in 1986 show trash piled up in the street.
