Memphis sanitation strike

I Am a Man - Diorama of Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike - National Civil Rights Museum - Downtown Memphis - Tennessee - USA

1968 labor strike in Memphis, Tennessee

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Date	February 12 – April 16, 1968
Location	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Caused by
Objectives
Methods	Strikes, protests, demonstrations
Resulted in	Improved wages and working conditions for sanitation workers
Concessions

The Memphis sanitation strike was a pivotal event in the Civil rights movement in the United States. The strike began on February 12, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, and was led by 1,300 African American sanitation workers. The workers were protesting against poor working conditions, low wages, and the lack of union recognition. The strike is notable for the involvement of Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968, while supporting the strikers.

Background

The working conditions for sanitation workers in Memphis were deplorable. The workers, predominantly African American, faced dangerous working conditions, low pay, and no benefits. The immediate catalyst for the strike was the death of two sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, who were crushed to death by a malfunctioning garbage truck on February 1, 1968.

The Strike

The strike officially began on February 12, 1968, when 1,300 sanitation workers walked off the job. The workers, represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1733, demanded better wages, safer working conditions, and union recognition. The city's mayor, Henry Loeb, refused to meet the workers' demands, leading to a protracted standoff.

Involvement of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. became involved in the strike as part of his Poor People's Campaign. He visited Memphis to support the sanitation workers and led a march on March 28, 1968, which turned violent. King returned to Memphis in April to lead another march, but he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel.

Aftermath

Following King's assassination, the strike gained national attention. The federal government intervened, and the city of Memphis eventually agreed to the workers' demands. The strike ended on April 16, 1968, with the city agreeing to recognize the union, improve wages, and provide better working conditions.

Legacy

The Memphis sanitation strike is remembered as a significant event in the Civil rights movement and labor history. It highlighted the intersection of racial and economic justice and underscored the importance of union representation for African American workers.

Related Pages

• Civil rights movement
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Henry Loeb
• Lorraine Motel