The union representing municipal workers in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, voted unanimously Monday to authorize a strike.
The union, Transport Workers Union Local 234, represents 115 workers who provide municipal services in Upper Darby, including trash collection, snow removal, street and highway maintenance, street lighting, animal control and other services. Most employees work at the Ministry of Public Works.
“Upper Darby administrators dug in their heels and did not negotiate a contract for our members in good faith,” TWU Local 234 President Brian Pollitt said in a statement. “Their contract demands are outrageous and would harm both employees and residents. We are sounding the alarm.”
TWU Local 234’s contract expires at midnight on December 31. Union leaders will have the power to start the strike at any time after the contract expires. The union and Upper Darby Township will meet to bargain Monday evening, as the two will negotiate around the clock.
The membership vote will give union leaders the authority to initiate a strike at any time after the contract expires.
According to a press release, TWU Local 234 requested in May to begin negotiations on a new contract, but the council “shut down” and “didn’t come to the table until November.”
“Unfortunately, they were completely unprepared to negotiate during the November session,” a press release said. “The city didn’t come up with an initial contract proposal until December 5, and what they presented is full of unreasonable demands, including reducing workforces, tripling employee health care costs, eliminating job titles and eliminating seniority rights.”
