Workers take protest to Nutter's home turf

A FEW HUNDRED workers from the city's white- and blue-collar unions converged on Mayor Nutter's quiet Wynnefield neighborhood Wednesday evening, protesting their lack of contracts.

Cars packed the neighborhood shortly after 6 p.m., and police directed traffic. The union members packed the mayor's block, thunderously chanting, "Keep your word!" and waving signs.

"We have supported [Mayor Nutter] in every initiative," said American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 47 President Cathy Scott on Nutter's block. "It's time for him to support us."

Workers from AFSCME District Council 33 and 47 have been without labor agreements since July 2009. Nutter has said he wants to make changes to work rules and benefits to ensure the city's financial stability. Union leaders have repeatedly said they won't make any concessions.

Only one of the city's four unions has reached a labor deal with the city since Nutter took office - the police officers, who reached terms through binding arbitration in 2009. The Nutter administration is appealing an arbitration award for the firefighters.

Mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald this week said union employees "can get a contract by sitting down at the table. The mayor's administration remains ready to have a serious negotiation to get a contract that is fair to the workers as well as taxpayers."

" @PhillyClout

Blog: phillyclout.com