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The 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike [AAHIAH Ep. #85]
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The 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike [AAHIAH Ep. #85]

The 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike

Background of the Sanitation Workers

  • By February 1968, black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, faced dire working conditions and low wages.
  • They earned approximately $1.70 per hour, often including unpaid overtime, while white colleagues received better pay and benefits such as access to showers after shifts.
  • Many black workers had to take on additional jobs or rely on welfare and public housing to survive.

The Catalyst for the Strike

  • On February 1, 1968, two black sanitation workers, Robert Walker and Echo Cole, were tragically killed due to a malfunctioning compactor while seeking shelter from the rain.
  • The city refused to provide adequate death benefits; Robert Walker's widow was offered only $500 for funeral expenses despite having five children and being pregnant with a sixth.

The Strike Begins

  • In response to their poor treatment and the tragic deaths of their colleagues, around 1,300 black sanitation workers initiated a strike demanding better conditions.
  • Strikers marched through Memphis carrying signs that read "I am a man," emphasizing their demand for dignity and respect.

Government Response

  • Mayor Henry Loeb ignored the strikers' demands and instead sent police officers to disperse them using force.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became involved in March 1968 during his Poor People's Campaign; he delivered an impassioned speech at a local church shortly before his assassination.

Aftermath of the Strike

  • Following Dr. King's assassination two weeks later, the Memphis City Council voted to recognize the sanitation workers' union and promised higher wages.
  • Despite this progress, statistics show that black union workers still earn less than their white counterparts today.
Video description

In Episode #85 of African American History Is AMERICAN History (AAHIAH), we dive deep into the powerful history of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike. This pivotal moment in African American history highlights the fight for workers' rights, civil rights, and equality. In February of 1968, Black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, faced horrific working conditions, earning low wages and receiving no benefits. Their struggle became a catalyst for change after the tragic deaths of two workers, sparking one of the most significant labor movements in U.S. history. This strike, led by African American workers, caught national attention and became intertwined with the broader Civil Rights Movement. In this episode, we explore the history of the Memphis sanitation workers, their courageous stand for dignity and justice, and how their actions influenced labor unions, Black activism, and civil rights movements across the country. Learn how the efforts of these workers brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis and changed the course of history. This video is perfect for students, educators, and anyone interested in Black history, labor rights, civil rights, and African American activism. Tune in for an insightful journey through one of the most crucial moments in the fight for equality. ________________ The African American History Is AMERICAN History Video Series Channel on YouTube is an eclectic program that includes "old-time radio" style storytelling of historical events and bios of unsung heroes, guest interviews on historical and contemporary topics, music, and commentary. AAHIAH appeals to listeners of every race and age, from middle school to middle age. This program has received endorsements from The Harlem Historical Society, Howard University, Newton North High School, Anson County Early College High School, Don Buchwald and Associates, SoBro (South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation), and Henry Louis Gates Jr. If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to The African American History Is AMERICAN History Video Series Channel on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AAHIAHVideoSeriesChannel It’s FREE…and you'll be notified as new episodes are posted.