PHILADELPHIA (WPHL) — On the first day of District Council 33 on the picket lines, the City of Philadelphia announced it “successfully litigated several matters,” leading to three court orders issued on Tuesday. Some DC 33 members, the city’s largest blue collar union, have been ordered to return to work.
The strike has impacted various critical city functions, including 911 dispatch, trash and recycling collection, the water department, and airport maintenance.
According to the City of Philadelphia, the following orders are now in effect:
911 Order
The court order mandates all 911 call center employees to return to work. The order applies to 237 dispatchers: 32 fire dispatchers and five supervisors, and 200 police dispatchers.
Court documents say the lack of dispatchers created “a clear and present danger or threat to the health, safety, or wellfare [sic] of the public” and are prohibited from engaging in a strike or work stoppage.
Dispatchers have been ordered to “return to full performance of work duties,” but this does not prevent them from lawfully participating in the strike during off-duty hours.
Philadelphia Water Department Order
Workers at essential Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) facilities have been ordered to return to full performance of work duties.
Just as is the case for 911 operators, the order does not prevent PWD staff from lawfully participating in the strike during off-duty hours.
Tuesday afternoon, Managing Director Adam Thiel stressed to the public that the city’s drinking water remains safe to drink.
Picketing Order
According to the City of Philadelphia, this court order outlines new picketing guidelines for DC 33 members or other participants.
The city said the following is prohibited:
- This court order prohibits members of DC33 or other participants in the strike from:
- Blocking or obstructing access to City buildings and work sites.
- Threatening, harassing, following, intimidating, photographing, or otherwise interfering with City employees or vehicles at City facilities.
- Blocking the delivery of products to City facilities or City employees.
- Picketing will be limited to:
- A maximum of eight (8) picketers at a time.
- A minimum of 10 feet of space from entrances.
District Council 33 has been on strike since 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city is ready to get back to the bargaining table.
