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The union representing thousands of Philadelphia city employees has filed a lawsuit to block Democratic Mayor Sherrell Parker’s demand that full-time city employees work five days a week starting this month.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ 47th District Council argues in a lawsuit filed Monday that the order is a breach of contract and will harm city employees. According to Reuters. The union, which represents 6,000 management and supervisory employees and negotiated remote work during the early days of the COVID pandemic in 2020, also filed a complaint of unfair practice with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.
Several local unions represented by District Council 47 filed a lawsuit against Parker in Philadelphia District Court on Monday. The lawsuit asks the court to issue a temporary injunction banning labor policies that haven’t been negotiated with the unions. The court is scheduled to hear the request on July 11, just days before city employees are expected to be asked to return to work.
Mayor Parker ended hybrid work in May and announced that city employees must work full-time in an office or workplace starting July 15. The mayor said working full-time in the office would improve communication between employees and promote “social connections along with collaboration, innovation and inclusion.”
Philadelphia mayor ends remote work policy for all full-time city employees
Philadelphia Mayor Sherrell Parker announced in May that city employees would have to work full-time from an office or workplace starting July 15, ending remote work. (Getty Images)
“Having employees present in the workplace allows for more personal and productive interactions,” Parker said in the announcement. “It fosters communication and promotes not only social connections, but also collaboration, innovation and inclusion.”
The mayor also said changes have been made to be more favorable for workers, including extending paid parental leave from six to eight weeks and giving the Friday after Thanksgiving a day off.
Restrictions on the use of sick leave to care for family members will also be relaxed.
While most Philadelphia city employees have already returned to full-time in-person work, about 3,000 of their members have signed agreements with the city since 2020 to work remotely at least one day a week, according to the 47th District Council.
The union also argued that the mayor’s office has refused to negotiate the changes, violating labor law and existing collective bargaining agreements.
The city denies the allegations.
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Parker said working in the office full time would improve communication between employees and foster “social connections as well as collaboration, innovation and inclusion”. (Getty Images)
The National Labor Relations Act and the Pennsylvania Public Employee Relations Act require employers to negotiate with union members over proposed changes to wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. Employers must negotiate in good faith with employees, whether that means reaching an agreement or reaching an impasse.
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Parker’s office said it believes those laws don’t apply to changes to working conditions.
The union said many employees who joined the city’s workforce after 2020 were told their flexible working arrangements would remain in place indefinitely.
Reuters contributed to this report.
