White-Collar Workers Get Tentative 10% Pay Hike : One Pact Reached in Philadelphia Strike

A tentative contract was reached Friday with one striking municipal union and bargaining continued with the second as officials and residents confronted problems created by more than 20,000 tons of trash generated during an 11-day strike.

The tentative agreement was reached after overnight negotiations between the city and District Council 47 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents 2,500 white-collar employees.

Contract talks with the union’s District Council 33, which represents 12,885 sanitation, recreation, streets department and other blue-collar workers, were to continue, but one union official said the two sides were still far apart.

Improved Benefits

The settlement with the white-collar workers includes a 10% wage increase over two years, plus improved health and welfare benefits. Mayor W. Wilson Goode, who had said Philadelphia’s budget did not provide for pay increases, said the city could finance the raises.

The issues concerning District 33 are “much more complex,” Goode said, “(but) I am hopeful it also will be done. We are working hard on it.”

District 33 has demanded that the city end subcontracting for work that union members could do. Goode has rejected that demand as unreasonable.

The settlement with District Council 47 prompted the city to drop two lawsuits aimed at forcing employees in key health care and social service jobs back to work, City Solicitor Hansel B. Minyard said.

Stench Stirs Anger

From 2,000 tons to 3,000 tons of garbage has been dropped at 15 temporary trash collection sites since they were opened Tuesday, and more sites were to open over the weekend, Deputy Streets Commissioner John Heany said.

Some residents, angered at the stench and possible health problems, blocked access Friday to three temporary dumps.

“Nothing’s getting by here. . . . Nothing,” Mary Ann Stepnowski said while blocking a site with about 20 neighbors.

Police cooperated, turning away residents with trash. “The police are keeping the peace,” Streets Commissioner Harry Perks said.