Striking Philly Workers Ruled in Contempt

A judge today found striking Philadelphia sanitation workers in contempt of court for defying a back-to-work order and warned them that they could be fired, while Detroit officials’ request that 7,000 striking workers there be ordered to return to their jobs was denied.

In Philadelphia, Judge Edward Blake said he will fine District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees $40,000 a day beginning Monday for each day the workers do not report.

The judge also warned the union of the city’s right to fire, suspend or demote workers found in contempt.

“I certainly hope the officers of the union realize this is a serious matter,” he said.

Attorneys for the city said virtually none of the sanitation workers returned to work on Thursday and only 48 reported this morning, despite the order issued by Blake on Wednesday to clear the 40,000 tons of trash that has piled up since July 1. The judge had cited a threat to public health and safety.

In Detroit, the strike by 7,000 workers, including clerks, garbage collectors, mechanics and others, has halted bus service for 200,000 commuters since Wednesday. Garbage has begun mounting up in the streets at a rate estimated at 5 million pounds daily, the zoo has been closed, and water and sewer services may be affected if the strike drags on, city officials warned.

After denying an immediate back-to-work order Thursday, Wayne County Circuit Judge Sharon Finch today refused to order all strikers to return to their jobs.