City workers: Be flexible on summer vacation plans

Not to be alarmist, says a city official, but if you are a non-union city employee you might want to reconsider your summer plans.

With contracts expiring July 1 with four municipal unions, city Managing Director Camille Barnett is planning ahead and sent this email to city employees. Those who would be affected include 2,831 exempt employees - such as those who work directly for Mayor Nutter - and about 900 others who are not represented by any union.

Here's the email:

"The City's labor contracts with its non-uniformed, unionized employees end at midnight, June 30th. While we hope that a strike can be avoided, the possibility of a strike cannot be ruled out at this time. The City of Philadelphia must ensure that, in the event of a work stoppage by either of the municipal unions, vital services continue. It is also important to inform employees how a work stoppage could affect their leave.

With these concerns in mind, please be informed that in the event AFSCME, District Council 33 or AFSCME, District Council 47 calls for a strike vote, all leave may need to be cancelled until further notice. The leave cancellation may occur regardless of whether the leave was previously approved.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause our employees."

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