The Nation : Philadelphia Talks Recess

Contract talks recessed indefinitely between Philadelphia officials and the union for its blue-collar workers, while the city moved toward hiring private trash haulers to work under police guard on the 13th day of the city workers strike. A major obstacle in the talks was the city’s demand for an audit of the workers’ health and welfare fund, Earl Stout, president of District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers, said after the negotiations were adjourned. “We are not going to allow that to happen,” Stout said.