Memphis sanitation strike

Memphis sanitation strike
Adam Jones, Ph.D. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Memphis sanitation strike
Date	February 12, 1968 – April 16, 1968
Location	Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis sanitation strike. The Memphis sanitation strike was a pivotal event in the American civil rights movement, led by Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy, and other prominent figures, including Bayard Rustin and A. Philip Randolph. The strike involved African American sanitation workers, who were members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and was supported by various organizations, such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Key figures like Thurgood Marshall, Roy Wilkins, and Whitney Young also played important roles in the movement.

Background

The Memphis sanitation strike was set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which were championed by Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert Humphrey. The strike was also influenced by the Birmingham Campaign, led by Fred Shuttlesworth and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the Selma to Montgomery Marches, which involved John Lewis, Hosea Williams, and Stokely Carmichael. The National Urban League, led by Whitney Young, and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), founded by James Farmer, also contributed to the movement. Other notable figures, such as Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, and Fannie Lou Hamer, had previously fought for African American rights, paving the way for the Memphis sanitation strike.

Causes of the Strike

The Memphis sanitation strike was sparked by the deaths of two African American sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, who were crushed by a malfunctioning garbage truck. This incident, combined with the poor working conditions, low wages, and lack of benefits faced by African American sanitation workers, led to the strike. The workers, who were members of AFSCME Local 1733, were supported by Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy, and other leaders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), as well as Bayard Rustin and A. Philip Randolph. The strike was also influenced by the Watts Riots and the Detroit Riot of 1967, which highlighted the need for improved working conditions and social justice. Key organizations, such as the National Council of Negro Women, led by Dorothy Height, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), founded by Stokely Carmichael and John Lewis, also played important roles in the movement.

The Strike

The Memphis sanitation strike began on February 12, 1968, and involved over 1,300 African American sanitation workers. The strike was marked by protests, marches, and boycotts, with supporters including Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy, and other prominent figures, such as Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson, and Coretta Scott King. The strike was also supported by various organizations, including the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), led by George Meany, and the United Auto Workers (UAW), led by Walter Reuther. The strike drew national attention, with figures like Robert F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, and Nelson Rockefeller weighing in on the issue. Other notable supporters included Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, and Aretha Franklin, who used their platforms to raise awareness about the strike.

Key Events and Turning Points

A key event during the Memphis sanitation strike was the I Am a Man march, which took place on March 28, 1968. The march, which was led by Martin Luther King Jr. and involved thousands of supporters, including Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, and Jesse Jackson, was marked by violence and police brutality. The event drew national attention and helped to galvanize support for the strike. Another key event was the Mountaintop speech, delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. on April 3, 1968, in which he expressed his support for the strike and his commitment to the American civil rights movement. The speech was attended by Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, and other prominent figures, and was seen as a pivotal moment in the strike. Other notable events included the Poor People's Campaign, led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy, and the Resurrection City protest, which involved Jesse Jackson and Andrew Young.

Aftermath and Legacy

The Memphis sanitation strike ended on April 16, 1968, with the city of Memphis, Tennessee agreeing to recognize the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) as the bargaining agent for the sanitation workers. The strike resulted in improved working conditions, higher wages, and better benefits for the workers. The strike also had a lasting impact on the American civil rights movement, with Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders continuing to fight for social justice and equality. The strike is remembered as a pivotal moment in the movement, and its legacy continues to be felt today, with figures like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and John Lewis drawing on its lessons to inform their own work on issues like voting rights and labor rights. Other notable figures, such as Angela Davis, Cornel West, and Ta-Nehisi Coates, have also been influenced by the strike and its legacy. Category:American labor disputes