PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — After weeks of contractless negotiations since July, Philadelphia’s largest city workers’ union announced it had agreed to a one-year deal to avoid a strike.

AFSCME District Council 33 President Greg Boulware made the announcement Friday evening during a press conference with Mayor Cherelle Parker.

“We signed a one-year extension with the City of Philadelphia, which gives our members a raise that would help improve the quality of life of our population, and emphasizes that it is a stepping stone to leadership in which we would like to see our members take part in,” Boulware said.

The contractual agreement includes a 5% salary increase, a one-time bonus of $1,400 and other benefits.

Last week, members voted for authorize a strike.

“There will be no work stoppage in the City of Philadelphia. This is tremendous news that we can all welcome – for our city, for the municipal workers represented by District Council 33, and for this administration “Parker said.

The union represents at least 9,000 city employees in the Streets Department, Sanitation Department, Water Department, police dispatch and other agencies.

The union and administration say this is just the beginning and they will continue to come together around the table to reach a long-term agreement.

“We’re going to continue to move forward in this direction and continue to improve the lives of our DC 33 members,” Boulware said.

The two sides will resume negotiations on a multi-year agreement in January.