Protests force Philadelphia mayor to abort speech

Created on Thursday, 14 March 2013 18:40 Last Updated on Thursday, 14 March 2013 18:40 Published on Friday, 15 March 2013 07:00 Written by Associated Press Hits: 720

SHOUTED DOWN--Mayor Michael Nutter attempts to delivers his budget address to city council at City Hall, March 14, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Deafening protests forced Philadelphia's mayor to abandon his annual budget address in the middle of his speech.

Mayor Michael Nutter left City Council chambers on Thursday amid chants from union members angry about the lack of contracts. They shouted, blew whistles and stomped their feet to drown out his remarks.

Three of the city's four biggest unions have been without contracts since 2009. Last month, Nutter petitioned the state Supreme Court to intervene in the stalemate with District Council 33, which represents thousands of blue-collar municipal workers.

Nutter resumed his speech about an hour later elsewhere in City Hall as demonstrators protested outside the building.

The Democratic mayor introduced the city's nearly $3.8 billion budget for the next fiscal year. He also addressed a revamped property-assessment system.