Memphis: Reflecting on the Sanitation Strike’s Enduring Legacy

The 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, intertwined with the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., remains a pivotal moment in our city’s history. Decades later, Memphis continues to grapple with its profound legacy, from significant social advancements to persistent challenges in economic justice and racial equity. This powerful story continues to shape our community, inviting us to reflect on how far we’ve come and the work that still lies ahead.

The Fight for Dignity: “I Am A Man”

In 1968, Memphis sanitation workers, predominantly African-American, faced dehumanizing conditions. Treated as “casual laborers,” they hauled leaking 55-gallon drums of garbage for meager wages, often as low as $1 an hour. There were no uniforms, no places to wash up, and a pervasive lack of respect that made their profession the “lowest of the lowest.” The breaking point came after two workers were crushed to death in a faulty truck.

Their demands were simple: better wages, safer conditions, and union recognition. When Mayor Henry Loeb refused to negotiate, the workers organized, igniting a strike that captured national attention. The iconic “I AM A MAN” signs became a powerful symbol of their fight for basic human dignity and civil rights, resonating deeply within the community.

MLK’s Final Crusade and a City Shattered

The Memphis sanitation strike became a crucial focus for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign, highlighting economic injustice. King arrived in Memphis to lend his support, delivering his powerful “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech on April 3, 1968, to the striking workers. The following day, standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, he was assassinated by James Earl Ray.

King’s death convulsed America, sparking riots across the country and plunging Memphis into a period of profound grief and decline. The strike was eventually settled, with the city agreeing to union recognition, higher wages, and improved conditions. However, the emotional and economic scars of that year ran deep, forever changing the trajectory of our city.

From Lorraine to Legacy: A Path to Reconciliation

For years, the Lorraine Motel mirrored the city’s struggle, falling into disrepair. However, through collective effort, it was transformed into the National Civil Rights Museum, opening in 1991. Today, the museum stands as a powerful shrine, educating visitors from around the world about the civil rights movement and its connection to Memphis.

In a significant gesture, the city of Memphis recently announced cash payments of $70,000 to surviving sanitation workers from 1968 who had retired without a pension. Mayor Jim Strickland described this initiative, which cost nearly $1 million, as “doing the right thing,” acknowledging the workers’ sacrifices. Long-time workers like Elmore Nickelberry, 85, who still works a route, and Baxter Leach, a prominent figure among the strikers, expressed gratitude, though some still question if it’s truly “enough.”

Sanitation Worker Conditions: Then vs. Now

Modern Echoes: The Ongoing Fight for Justice

The spirit of activism born from the 1968 strike continues to animate Memphis today. Modern movements like Black Lives Matter and the Fight for $15 campaign directly trace their concerns to King’s focus on economic justice and the sanitation workers’ fight for fair wages. Groups like the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center and One Memphis One Vision strive to address persistent issues of racial marginalization, income inequality, and police reform.

Memphis has also recently confronted historical symbols, notably the removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue, a Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard, from a prominent city park. This act reflects an ongoing effort to acknowledge and rectify painful aspects of the city’s past, demonstrating that the struggle for true equality and justice is a continuous journey.

Voices from the Past, Lessons for the Future

The experiences of the 1968 strikers resonate deeply. Baxter Leach, who endured the strike, never regretted his stand: “Things was just so bad. Something had to change.” H.B. Crockett vividly recalls hearing King’s “Mountaintop” speech, feeling the immense hope and collective resolve in the packed church. Their stories, and the hard-won improvements in conditions and wages for today’s sanitation workers, remind us of the power of collective action.

However, many, like Elmore Nickelberry, still feel that the recent $70,000 payments, while appreciated, “don’t think it’s enough,” underscoring that the cost of decades of injustice is immeasurable. The legacy of their struggle continues to fuel discussions about reparations and deeper economic restructuring for the Black community in Memphis.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What sparked the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike?
  The strike began after two sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were accidentally crushed to death in a faulty garbage truck. This tragedy, combined with abysmal pay, unsafe working conditions, and the city’s refusal to recognize their union, ignited the workers’ protest for dignity and better treatment.
• How did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. become involved?
  King came to Memphis to support the striking workers, viewing their struggle as a key component of his broader Poor People’s Campaign focused on economic justice. He delivered his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech the night before his assassination, solidifying the strike’s place in the national Civil Rights Movement.
• What changes came about for Memphis sanitation workers after the strike?
  Following the strike’s resolution, workers achieved union recognition (AFSCME), significant wage increases, and improved working conditions, including safer trucks, uniforms, and access to showers. Today’s sanitation workers earn considerably more than their 1968 counterparts.
• Is there a connection between the 1968 strike and modern Memphis activism?
  Absolutely. Contemporary activist groups in Memphis, such as Black Lives Matter and the Fight for $15 campaign, draw direct inspiration from the 1968 strike and King’s focus on economic justice. They continue to address issues of systemic racism, income inequality, and police accountability within the city.
• Why did the city recently make cash payments to former sanitation workers?
  The City of Memphis initiated tax-free cash payments to surviving 1968 sanitation strikers who had retired without a pension. This gesture was seen as a step toward rectifying a historical injustice, as many workers had been poorly advised to leave the city’s pension plan, leaving them disadvantaged in their later years.

The lessons from 1968 call on all Memphians to continue advocating for equity and justice, ensuring that the sacrifices made for dignity and fair treatment resonate through every corner of our community today.

Memphis Sanitation Strike Legacy Endures