Over 100 Philadelphia Water Department supervisors have worked continuous 24/7 shifts at the city's six water and wastewater treatment plants since July 1. This emergency measure is in response to a strike by District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union representing many of the city's lowest-paid municipal water workers.
The city's mayor is in contract negotiations with the union. To maintain essential services, PWD supervisors, who were trained for disaster situations, are now filling in for approximately 360 striking employees. These managers are working extensive overtime, including up to 16-hour days with double pay
