Latest news with #CherelleParker
CBS News
14 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Negotiations ongoing between Philadelphia and city workers union, District Council 33
Here's what is impacted in the City of Philadelphia if District Council 33 goes on strike Here's what is impacted in the City of Philadelphia if District Council 33 goes on strike Here's what is impacted in the City of Philadelphia if District Council 33 goes on strike Philadelphia's largest blue-collar union is set to go on strike next week, which could impact services, including trash pickup for people in the city. District Council 33 represents some 9,000 workers in essential services. Both the union and the city were in negotiations inside the Sheraton hotel in Philadelphia on Friday, hoping to come to an agreement. "As mayor, I'm an eternal optimist and I believe that we will figure out a way to get to yes, to reach some much-needed compromise here," Mayor Cherelle Parker said. Parker spoke to the standoff between District Council 33 and the city after the union's membership voted to authorize a strike earlier this month. "I just think that they need to give us a fair contract," said Ron Price, a District Council 33 union member. "Let the guys make some money because we're the ones that keep the city running." Workers are demanding higher wages and health benefits for all members. If the union and city do not come to an agreement, the strike will start on Tuesday. Workers with the sanitation department, water department, police dispatch, street maintenance and airport operations are set to strike. "Personally, I have a large dog we walk in these streets all the time," said Mara Hughes, who lives in Philadelphia. "So as soon as the trash fills up the street, my dog and I are in like a danger zone every day. Do we have to go to the emergency vet? Are we going to encounter something that's dangerous for [the dog]? It becomes a very toxic environment for animals and children very quickly." The last time this union went on strike was in 1986, and the impact was felt citywide. These photos from that time show mountains of uncollected trash lining the streets – a powerful reminder of what's at stake if a deal isn't reached. "My hope is that the city comes to its senses and negotiates in good faith and provides these workers with what they need," Hughes said. If a deal is not reached, the strike is scheduled to begin at midnight on Monday, June 30.
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia adds 15 schools to extended day, extended year program, bringing total to 40
Another 15 Philadelphia schools have been announced in an expansion to the city's extended day, extended year program. A total of 40 schools now offer the extended before- and after-school care and camps during winter, spring and summer breaks. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the new additions in a news conference with officials from local charter schools and the School District of Philadelphia. The public schools on the list are: Anne Frank School Frances Willard School Edward Steel School James Rhoads School Delaplaine McDaniel School Edwin Forrest School James Lowell School Roberto Clemente School Lewis Cassidy Academics Plus School Tanner Duckrey School And the charter schools on the list are: Wissahickon Charter Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter Esperanza Academy Charter General David B. Birney Charter Universal Alcorn Charter Parker previously stated the program is aimed at keeping students sharp through the summer. The pilot program began with 25 schools before Friday's expansion.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia caps off Juneteenth holiday weekend with parade, festival in West Philly
On one of the hottest days of the year, people lined the street in West Philadelphia on Sunday for the city's Juneteenth parade. "Everyone is just so friendly and cordial. I love it," Geraldine Drakes said. "It's a great thing to see like-minded people get along, and hopefully with the state of the country and the world right now, we need more of this," Johney Jenkins said. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker helped lead the parade down South 52nd Street. It was a showcase of unity in the city to honor an important day in our nation's history. "I just like seeing us all get together besides a funeral. Seeing us all together out here uniting. It's not even just all Black. It's White people out here showing the love, too. It's a beautiful thing seeing everybody together as one," Tameka Morris said. The holiday, which is officially June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. "It's sad that it took so long to become a national holiday," Jenkins said. "The liberation of any people should be celebrated. Not only Americans, Black Americans, brown Americans, yellow Americans, everybody. It's a great thing to see, and hopefully we can build off of this as a community." The Juneteenth celebration continued at Malcolm X Park. The festival included food, music and vendors of all kinds. The spirit of community was on display. People said it was great to see everyone come together. "I think the city gets a ton of negative shine sometimes and I think this is an amazing example of overall truth of Blackness, of Black history and Black culture," Christopher Crawford said. It was a day that reminded us all of where we've been and also how far we've come.
CBS News
18-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia kicks off Summer Meals program to address food insecurity across the city
The city of Philadelphia kicked off its Summer Meals program on Wednesday with Mayor Cherelle Parker passing out meals to area kids at Vare Recreation Center. The city is partnering with the School District of Philadelphia, Philabundance and other local organizations to provide free meals to anyone under 18 during the summer. "If we take care of each other, there's nothing we can't do," Parker said. Over 100,000 kids face food insecurity throughout Philadelphia, according to city officials. The program aims to bridge that gap during the summer months. Hundreds of sites citywide will begin providing meals for residents. The city says no I.D. or proof of income is required. "Just because school is out, does not mean you can't eat. We are going to make sure you have food this summer," Susan Slawson, the commissioner of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, said. JSJ Food Bank is one of the many organizations stepping up to make sure no kid goes hungry during the summer. Executive Director Jeanne Spence said her organization serves more than 500 students per day during the summer with the food bank focusing on the area of Frankford, where there's a big need. "For us, it's our lunch and supper meals and there's other sites here really connecting with the city to be able to provide breakfast, so the student students do not go left hungry," she said. Jacqueline Velykis and her son visited the recreation center to learn more about the program. She said that with rising grocery prices, the summer meals will be a big help for her family. "Prices have definitely gone up, a lot," Velykis said. "Then the kids they want to pick and choose what they want. They want to waste the food, and it costs too much to be wasting all the food, so this definitely helps out a lot."
Axios
12-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
City Hall green lights Mayor Parker's $6.8B budget
Philadelphia legislators signed off Thursday on Mayor Cherelle Parker's $6.8 billion budget, including her centerpiece housing initiative. Why it matters: Parker's plan makes big promises, including cuts to business and wage taxes, no tax increases for property owners, and more homes. But it all comes with a big price tag, despite lingering questions about the potential loss of future federal funding. By the numbers: Under the plan, overall spending will increase nearly 7.5% over last fiscal year. The new fiscal year starts July 1. 🏘️ Inside the plan: Legislators gave the green light to borrow $800 million for Parker's Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative, which aims to build and preserve 30,000 housing units. The initiative will fund a variety of new housing programs while expanding some existing ones. Plus: The legislation allows the Parker admin to fast-track the sale of up to 1,000 parcels of city-owned land without legislative approval, which has bogged down some land sales. 💰Tax cuts: Workers in the city — both residents and non-residents — will see their wage taxes decline modestly over five years. The intrigue: Businesses are the biggest winners. They'll see the city's business income and receipts tax (BIRT) slashed over 13 years. BIRT's gross receipts portion will steadily decline until it's eliminated in 2039. Meanwhile, BIRT's net income portion will be cut by more than half by then. The fine print: Due to legal challenges, the city is eliminating a BIRT tax break on the first $100,000 in gross receipts, which will hurt small businesses. The big picture: Parker and her vision for the city appear to be winning over Philadelphians. A Pew poll released this week found Parker enjoyed a 63% approval rating at the start of the year. What else: City council approved legislation that will:
