Memphis sanitation strike

The Memphis sanitation strike began on February 12, 1968, in response to the deaths of sanitation workers Echol Cole and Robert Walker.[1][2]  The deaths served as a breaking point for more than 1,300 African American men from the Memphis Department of Public Works as they demanded higher wages, time and a half overtime, dues check-off, safety measures, and pay for the rainy days when they were told to go home.[2]

Memphis sanitation strike
Part of the Civil Rights Movement
The strikers' slogan was "I AM a Man".
Date	February 12 – April 16, 1968 (2 months and 4 days)
Location	Memphis, Tennessee, Charles Mason Temple, Clayborn Temple
Caused by	Racial discrimination faced by black sanitation workers Death of Echol Cole and Robert Walker from garbage compactor Black sanitation workers exposed to dangerous working conditions
Resulted in	Larry Payne killed by police during march and disorder Speech "I've Been to the Mountaintop" delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968 Union AFSCME local 1733 recognized by City of Memphis Increased wages for sanitation workers by City of Memphis
Parties
Sanitation workers American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Community on the Move for Equality (COME) Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) City of Memphis
Lead figures
Sanitation workers T. O. Jones Southern Christian Leadership Conference Martin Luther King Jr. † Mayor of Memphis Henry Loeb

The Memphis sanitation strike was led by T.O. Jones and had the support of Jerry Wurf, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).[3][4][2]  The AFSCME was chartered in 1964 by the state; the city of Memphis refused to recognize it.

Mayor Henry Loeb refused to recognize the strike and rejected the City Council vote, insisting that only he possessed the power to recognize the union.[1][4][5] The Memphis sanitation strike prompted Martin Luther King Jr.'s presence, where he famously gave the "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech a day before his assassination.