Negotiations between Philadelphia city officials and leaders of AFSCME DC33 resumed Tuesday, day 8 of the ongoing strike.
The union’s president, Greg Boulware, entered talks with optimism.
“Today’s another day. I’m hopeful that we can get in this room and make some progress, and get this CBA resolved, and get our men and women back to work,” he said.
Talks between city officials and the union representing thousands of workers resumed on Day 8 of the strike.
While thousands of workers remain on the picket line, some striking union members have been ordered by the courts to go back to work.
Members employed by the medical examiner’s office, along with 911 dispatchers, were ordered back to work last week.
Then, on Tuesday, a court ordered eight Philadelphia International Airport dispatch employees to return to work.
“As I’ve been saying about all the injunctions: they prove how important and vital our men and women are,” Boulware said.
DC33 says the city’s latest offer from the city was the same: an 8.75 percent pay increase over three years.
The union is still asking for an increase of about 15 percent over three years.
Pensions, healthcare and a residency requirement also remain as sticking points.