PHILADELPHIA —  The City of Philadelphia today shared updates on the City of Philadelphia’s response and operations in regard to the AFSCME District Council 33 (DC33) work stoppage over the weekend and headed into next week.

The City of Philadelphia is continuing to deliver essential services and maintain public safety after AFSCME District Council33 (DC 33) began a work stoppage at midnight on July 1, 2025. DC 33 represents about 9,000 municipal workers across many City departments, which means the City activated and has been implementing an emergency plan over the last five days. The City remains committed to reaching a fair agreement that is also fiscally responsible for the hard-working members of DC33 and the City.

“I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of our City employees who have jumped in to do what they can to ensure delivery of essential services,” said Adam K. Thiel, Managing Director. “It hasn’t been easy, and we are not perfect. So far, we have been doing a great job – even over the July 4th holiday weekend.”

The City has released the following additional information and updates:

Department of Sanitation

The City Department of Sanitation continues to pick up and remove trash from the 63 neighborhood drop-off sites that have been set up throughout Philadelphia. To find the drop-off site nearest city and for more information, visit phila.gov/sanitation. The City is also allowing residents to drop off trash at the six Sanitation Centers located around the city as well.

The drop-off sites are open today, Saturday, July 5, until 10 p.m.  The Sanitation Center locations are open tomorrow, Sunday, July 6.

“We are asking residents, when they bring their trash to drop-off sites, to make an extra effort to deposit their trash bags in the dumpsters – and not to simply leave them on the ground nearby,” said Carlton Williams, Director, Clean and Green Initiative. “It takes our crews longer to clean up dumpster sites when the trash is left on the ground. Please use the dumpsters. Thank you, Philadelphia.”

Legal Update

The City is grateful for the return of critical 911 Call Center and water department staff, and that those services have been restored to full capacity after judicial orders were entered.

The City received another judicial order on Thursday afternoon to address staffing issues at the Medical Examiner’s Office, which is responsible for the essential service of determining the cause and manner of death for sudden, unexpected, and unnatural deaths in Philadelphia. 31 staff members at the Medical Examiner’s Office were ordered by a Common Pleas Court judge to return to work.

Without essential MEO staff members to attend to sudden, unexpected, and suspicious deaths within Philadelphia, bodies would sit in homes and street corners without staff to transport them to the refrigerated morgue storage areas. This would pose a significant health risk to all Philadelphians. The judicial order helps to alleviate that risk.

Emergency Services

911 Call Center 

  • Emergency calls are being answered and dispatched, but you may still experience longer wait times.
  • Do not hang up if you call 911—your call will be answered.

Fire Department 

  • The Philadelphia Fire Department is fully operational and continues to respond to fire-related and emergency medical incidents 24/7.

Non-Emergency Hotlines

Philly 311 (for non-emergency inquiries) 

  • Call volumes are high. A recorded message will let callers know about current service delays and alternate ways to get help.
  • Staff are answering calls and handling inquiries submitted through non-call channels (online at phila.gov/311 or via the Philly311 app).

Free Library of Philadelphia

  • Several Free Library locations were open today for Saturday service but will be closed on Sunday; reopening on Monday. Some entrances have been blocked by District Council 33 members who are picketing, but Philadelphia Police have been clearing the space and it is safe to enter and exit. For updates, visit the Free Library’s closings and renovations page.
  • Online resources are always available at freelibrary.org.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreations: Parks, Pools, and Recreation Centers

Service levels at Philadelphia Parks and Recreation locations have changed due to staffing limitations:

  • Park gate access will be selectively prioritized by Rangers.
  • 25 swimming pools are open daily; Sunday hours tomorrow are Noon-5 p.m. Aquatics programs are paused. Find a pool near you by visiting phila.gov/pools
  • All 112 spray grounds are open.
  • Recreation centers are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; evening programs and extended-hour services are paused. Rec centers are not open on Sundays.
  • Summer day camps are continuing as scheduled.
  • Permitted special events may face delays or cancellations if they require plumbing or electrical work. When the City declares a Heat Health Emergency, cooling centers will remain open to help residents stay safe during hot weather.

Department of Revenue: Services and Payments

  • The Department of Revenue services at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) will be open on Monday, July 7, but no cash payments are being accepted in person.
  • The Northeast and North Philadelphia satellite offices are currently closed.
  • To make a payment:
    • Pay electronically, when possible.
    • Submit a money order or check in the locked drop boxes at the MSB.
    • Pay real estate tax by calling 833-913-0795.
    • Pay water bills online at www.phila.gov/waterbill or by calling 877-309-3709.
  • Expect longer wait times for phone and in-person support and processing delays. For faster service, visit tax-services.phila.gov.

Water Department: Water and Sewer Services

Your drinking water is safe. The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) continues full operations at all water and wastewater treatment facilities.

  • Some customers could experience service impacts, including longer response and repair times (for example, water main breaks, street cave-ins, open hydrants, clogged inlets).
  • Report emergencies by calling 215‑685‑6300. Please hold all non-urgent calls.
  • Go to MyPhillywaterBill for bill payment and general account information, or call 215-685-6300 and follow the prompts in the main menu for self-service options.
  • Water and sewer connection permit requests should continue to follow the previously posted instructions.
  •  The permit desk at Municipal Services Building (MSB) may be impacted by reduced staff levels. Construction projects will continue but may encounter delays until staffing levels return to normal.
  • During a work stoppage, no new meter appointments will be made, and existing appointments may be canceled or rescheduled.

Stay Informed
The City will release additional updates as they become available and continue to update the what you need to know about the city work stoppage blog on the City’s website with the latest information.

  • For the latest updates from the City, follow @PhilaOEM on X (Twitter) or Facebook.
  • Other City X (Twitter) accounts to follow for developments, response, and service information: @PhiladelphiaGov, @PhilaStreets.
  • Sign up for the City’s free text alert system, ReadyPhiladelphia, and local media updates regarding service availability and any changes due to potential disruptions. You can get official ReadyAlerts updates from the Office of Emergency Management to your phone by texting READYPHILA to 888-777.
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