STRIKE REPORT: WEEK ONE
The first week of the strike is coming to a close, and although there’s no firm word on negotiations yet, we’ve made a strong showing with no signs of slowing down.
Within the first 24 hours, the city began seeking to shut us down in the courts. Judge Sierra Thomas-Street of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas ordered a few hundred of the most safety-critical strikers back to work and signed an injunction to restrict picketing. PPD has so far proven reluctant to enforce the injunctions violently.
Community support has been going strong at picket lines, especially for public locations. Philly residents have come out with food, signs, and volunteers, especially for 24-hour picket locations like 1515 Arch St.
Flexibility and solidarity from our members and strike captains have enabled us to keep every location in Local 696 shut down, and DC33 picketing led to a truly sad showing at Wawa Welcome America. After LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan pulled out, the July 4th concert and fireworks show lasted less than 5 hours.
DC47 Local 2187 have shown up in solidarity with us outside work hours, and many are refusing to cross picket lines despite intimidation from administrators. If the city doesn’t come to an agreement by 7/10, 2187 is expected to hold a strike vote of their own. Remember – no contract, no peace!
