A Brief History
On February 11, 1968, African-American garbage collection and sewer workers in Memphis, Tennessee went on strike, prompted by the horrible death of two garbage men crushed in the back of a garbage truck.
Digging Deeper
Digging deeper, we find a racially divided city during an era of civil rights protests, riots, laws being changed and important court decisions. The status quo was under assault!
The two garbage men crushed in the garbage-compacting truck had taken shelter there from the rain when the compactor was activated, the operator not knowing the men were back there. Incredibly, city rules allowed garbage collectors (sanitation workers) only one place to get out of the rain, and that was with the garbage!
Years of discrimination, disrespect, miserable pay and working conditions boiled over after the tragedy, and several days later, black garbage and sewer workers went on strike. Mayor Loeb was enraged by the work stoppage and fought it by bringing in white workers to collect the mounting piles of garbage and provided them with a police escort.
Union organizers and civil rights leaders, among them Martin Luther King Jr., descended upon Memphis and were portrayed as rabble-rousing outsiders by the local media. In contrast, Mayor Loeb and his administration were portrayed as calm and reasonable.
As information slowly trickles out from previously sealed government files, we know the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took a major interest in the events in Memphis and increased surveillance of the city, and probably of Martin Luther King Jr. as well. Marches, protests, heated union meetings and altercations went on throughout the two-month strike.
Meanwhile, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated by a single rifle shot while on his hotel balcony on April 4, 1968. Needless to say, that tragedy spurred the contentious strike to even higher levels of anger and confrontation. King’s widow led a march through the city four days later, and finally, on April 16, 1968, the strike was declared over.
The city had made concessions about pay and working conditions, although they later tried to renege and failed to live up to their end of the bargain. Firm threats of renewed striking forced Memphis to honor its commitment.
Was Martin Luther King Jr. killed as part of a plot to undermine the strike? The official government answer is that a lone illiterate gunman who had escaped from prison and had acted all by himself had carried out the murder. Then, in the biggest manhunt in history (to that point), tens of thousands of dollars were spent trying to capture him until he was finally arrested in Europe. But that is another story for History and Headlines!
Question for students (and subscribers): Were these men justified in going on strike? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information on this incident in the broader scope of American civil rights, please see…
Echols, James. I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Future of Multicultural America. Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1991.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="1210 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=1210">121 Comments
It’s pretty crazy that the city rules allowed the garbage workers to only get out of the rain with the garbage. No wonder people were upset.
It is sad that two men had to die before action was taken to improve the conditions for these workers.
Very sad story.
Discrimination has led to many tragedies in American history including slavery. This is a horrible, needless tragedy that was caused by paranoia by the people of this time period. Fortunately, we have evolved some, but prejudice has not truly been totally accomplished.
Sadly enough America was built on slavery and discrimination. I believe that the strike was only one of many contributing factors to Kings assassination. King was trying to bring about equality for all men not just the “whites”. Though his death was horrific and needless, it also was the very spark needed to bring about the changes Martin Luther King was dedicated to. I believe it was a conspiracy.
I think it’s completely understandable that the workers became so upset and outraged at their circumstances and wanted something to change. I just think it’s very sad that people died when it could have been prevented.
Its sad that people have to die in order for actins to be taken.
It’s very sad that in order for people to be heard, they have to go through these marches that sometimes end badly. These hard working people only want what is rightly fully theirs, and they worked hard for it. And yet it is denied to them. It’s horrible and unjustly.
Very interesting, I never really knew how MLK was actually killed.
It’s sad that it took an entire march for city officials to realize the conditions they were putting these sanitation workers. It’s even worse that the city response was to ignore the protests and simply hire whites to pick up trash.
That is pretty terrible that these sanitation workers were treated so badly. I don’t blame them for going on strike. I iked theadded mystery at the end of the article about the way MLK was killed. Interesting stuff.
This was a pretty interesting article. There as been so much that has changed since the days of segregation and unequal rights. It is absolutely horrible that those workers will killed and how badly their co-workers were treated. The city made a very bad choice in attempting to fix the issue with replacing the black workers with white workers. Who knows what may have happened today if Martin Luther King Jr. was not assassinated.
This was a pretty interesting and eye opening article to read. I think it was pretty sad that the two had to die before people opened their eyes to what was actually going on. Even after the people tried to take action, I feel that it wasn’t handled in the correct way.
I agree with most of the posts from other fellow students. Racial discrimination is immoral and infectious. The turn of events from the 1960s south to today’s society has changed dramatically. Yet some states in the south will not let go of racial discrimination.
I have never heard of this so this was pretty suprising. Racial discrimination was awful back then and in some ways our society is still racist. I feel like this situation was not handled correctly.
If the shooting of Martin Luther King Jr was a government scandal it would not surprise me. I personally think the government partakes in various activities to shift events in their favor.
I think that ALL men and women should be treated
equally… until proven otherwise! — DAVID WARDLE
I never heard this story, but I now wonder if MLK’s murder was part of it?
I recently just saw the movie, particularly the scene with the two men in the garbage truck trying to escape from the rain. I was curious about this scene, but now after reading this short article I have a better understanding of why this event was so significant.
What horrible working conditions… Unbelievable! — DAVID WARDLE
Cant believe that people thought it was okay to make them work in that
That is unbelievable that the only place they were allowed to take shelter from the rain was in the garbage truck!
That type of labor should have never been allowed.
Was the garbage situation really a matter of race though? I feel as if they were white men it would be the same situation but maybe that’s just me.
“Incredibly, city rules allowed garbage collectors (sanitation workers) only one place to get out of the rain, and that was with the garbage!”
Was that for all garbagemen, or just Black garbagemen? If it was for all, the incident seems more an unfortunate tragedy than some kind of link to institutional racism.
All the garbage men were black. As to volunteers vs. draftees, during the Viet Nam era only around 30% of the military were draftees. The questions of equality regarding selective service, etc, are quite valid in my humble opinion. These questions are what has stopped the ERA cold. Personally, when it comes to selective service, I would make no exceptions, no family hardship, no college, no anything except severe physical disability. Just saying…
I always have thought that garbage man would be a rough job. It obviously was made worse if you were black
Years of discrimination, disrespect, miserable pay and working conditions boiled over after the tragedy. You really cant confirm if this was really over race but it was a problem for the workers.
I failed my drivers test the first time for passing a garbage truck while workers were grabbing trash on the other side… Maybe this is why….
It’s sad that even though two people died tragically, Sanitation didn’t want to amend the situation. It should’ve been automatic to fix the problem that caused loss of live.
This was horrible working conditions. I actually found it surprising that when the African Americans started to protest they actually brought in white workers.
It sounds like the sanitation worker had a very good reason to go on strike, those working conditions sound awful!
People that went on strike need to get the facts straight before they go on strike over something they do not know what happened. It does sound like a very dirty job in fact.
While it is a dirty job, I do believe they should have the necessary working conditions to be safe. A strike was absolutely reasonable.
I think they were right in their decision to demand better working conditions.
Dirty job or not, workers deserve to be surrounded in appropriate conditions!
These workers had a right to be angry. These were awful working conditions no matter what the job was.
It is wrong that lives were took because working conditions were so terrible.
Very disheartening that once in America, such middle class and lower class jobs treated their employees with such lack of respect.
What horrible working conditions. I don’t think they should have been treated with disrespect.
They definitely deserved way better!
No one should have to work in conditions like that. People should be able to feel safe just doing their job.
These conditions are why we needed unions. Today’s laws would prohibit such conditions.
I really don’t think Martin Luther King Jr. was killed as part of a plot to undermine the strike. I think someone just got really fed up with his movement and probably thought other white people would appreciate what he did. Just a loser who can’t accept change.
Conditions like this are herendous and we now have regulations today
the conditions were unfortunate. they deserved better.
Crushed in a garbage truck is a horrible way to go. The condition of workers were not good and could have been way better but when businesses can cut corners they will. that is why strikes and petitions work, putting these corporations in the limelight makes them have to either change conditions or lose the one thing they hold dear, money.
Fighting for working conditions, I wrote about this (not this incident specifically) and they all have reason. If your working conditions aren’t up to par then it should be fixed. They had a right to strike
I think the garbage workers had every right to go on strike and it is sad that the mayor just over looked them and brought in the white workers. Then, the white workers got a police escort, when the African Americans could not even get shelter from the rain.
Being crushed by a garbage truck is totally not okay. It’s also truly terrible that these workers had to go through discrimination. They had every right to go on strike for proper working conditions.
I think thats is wacked out, and sad to hear i know the garbage men didnt mean it, so it wasnt anybodys fault if u ask me but i understand their concern and actions as far as african americans.
MLK’s assassination lead to even more anger and riots. The shooter who killed MLK escaped from prison and even escaped the country.
If I were one of the garbage works, I would have gone on strike too.
Interesting article. i don’t think I would have gotten in the back of that truck even if it was raining. Sorry for the gentlemen that got killed.
I never knew this story. I think the connection between the strike and MLK’s death is uncanny, though.
It would have been very degrading to work as a garbage man because they must have not been shown respect. That would also be a terrible way to die and is sad that these people had been treated so poorly.
These workers had a right to be mad, there is no way I would work with these conditions.
I have never heard of any of this but it is sad. I would have not worked in these conditions either.
What a weird way to go. At the time Unions definitely had to fight for better everything…. versus now.
If this was truly what spurred Martin Luther King Jr.’s death that is a sad way to end his life.
I do not believe MLK’s assassination was associated in the strike in any way. The death of the two men was a tragic incident.
It is sad that these were the events leading up to MLK’s death. My grandparents still talk about they day it happened.
I do think the garbage collectors and Martin Luther Kings death were separate incidents. There was so much hatred and segregation still going on in the South that the deaths of the two men were a product of the times.
I think many people do not know how affective the events leading up to Martin Luther King’s death just all around was a horrible time in America. I am so glad it has improved since then.
I never realized that Martin Luther King’s wife lead such a march through the city four days after the murder. This really goes to show the overall racism of the time.
It’s unfortunate that something so tragic had to happen for the conditions of those workers to be noticed and changed.
What a horrible way to die can you imagine dying by being smashed by a garbage truck compactor. Then to top of all the horrible race riots and protests Martin Luther King gets assassinated.
I have never heard of this occurring before. I can only imagine the pain that had to have been caused in the African American community. What a tragedy.
I don’t believe that these individual’s deaths were a direct result of MLK being assassinated. Their deaths were very tragic indeed.
It was so sad to read the different treatment to African American. Hope the race discrimination can be fixed in the future.
It was so tragic to happen in this country, I never hear about this before but I can imagine how they suffered .
These tragic deaths were interesting to read about. I do not believe they were a direct result of racism, but I do believe safety may have been looked into more if there men were white.
Even with all the issues going on, it’s hard that this happened back then and is still going on today.
The deaths were tragic but interesting to read about, I don’t think that they were the result of racisim, but I do think that everybody’s safety needs to be accounted for at the end of the day.
I don’t know why this caused so much of a stir, the men should not have been in the back of the truck in the first place.
I cannot believe how horrible these deaths were! I do not see a direct connection to racism though.
The only right thing for the sanitation workers was to go on strike like they did.
That is so terrible. I cannot even begin to think about how awful of a person you have to be to crush someone like that. This needs to end.
It is horrible when protest that make sense and are well implemented lead to death.
I can’t imagine the pain ans suffering that this event caused, and for what? How sad!
That’s so horrible!
That is an awful death.
I had no idea that the only way to get out of the rain as a garbage truck employee was with your garbage. Doesn’t sound like a fun time.
It is truly awful how these 2 workers died.
Terrible death and crazy strike.
A terrible incident that sparked some real change. At least their deaths were not in vain
A horrific way to die! They had every right to protest and MLK had every right to stand up for these poorly treated workers. It is sad that we have to fight so many injustices because of greedy, racist people.
Nice to see the workers stand next to each other in protest against the man. Deplorable working conditions, pay and employer abuse is what drives the need for the Union.
I support anyone who stands up for wrongdoings done to them. I am glad to see them take on a business for better working conditions, pay etc. Sometimes big businesses take their workers for granted and I am glad these people stood up for their rights.
It makes one question whether or not the government did have something to do with Martin Luther King Jr.’s death. What a waste of a life, to be killed because you expect fair wages and treatment of workers.
What a terrible way to go. I could not imagine being crushed with garbage.
This is a horrible way to die. I like that the workers had the courage to stand together.
Years and years of discrimination, disrespect, miserable pay and working conditions.
Horrible way to die, but at least people stood up and fought for what was right.
Another example of the horrible times of the past. I’m pretty sure I would have found another way to get out of the rain however. I would be skeptical if the government did not have something to do with Kings assassination.
The Garbage men should have been allowed to sit inside of the cab of the truck when trying to shelter from rain. I feel bad for the men that died, that sounds extremely painful.
I can’t imagine how disgusting the city must have been during this strike! This definitely had to have mad a big statement!
It is sickening that the garbage men had to take shelter with the trash. I think the government did have a role in MLS Jr.’s death. The situation was farfetched.
I just cant figure out why you would want to sit in garbage to take shelter especially without letting someone know you were there
This was a sad incident, but truly does sound like it was an accident since the article did state that the man who activated the compactor did not know the two men were back there. I do think that it was unfortunate that this incident happened during a time of heightened racial tension. Reading this article I do not think this was an issue based off race even though the strike was going on, I think this was honestly an unfortunate incident though still a sad one.
Martin Luther King was a true leader and did it in a professional manner.
Having to seek shelter in the back of the garbage truck is a bit ridiculous for anyone. I understand that the operator did not intent to kill the men, but the event of them getting killed brought all the standing issues to a head. I was interesting to know how this event intertwined with MLK’s death.
I am sorry but any person should be intelligent enough to not climb into the back of a garbage truck. I would rather get wet than be in with garbage let alone have the threat of being crushed to death.
The death of the 2 garbage truck workers is such a tragic accident. It does not appear this was anything more than an accident. Hopefully there has been rules put into place since then that under no circumstances no one should climb into the back of the trash truck.
What a shame with hoe people were treated during that time.It is amazing to read such short stories and realize how it crossed paths with MLK at the time!
I had no idea that Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in the wake of a garbage man strike. It is quite sad those men had to die like that.
It took some real courage for these sanitation workers to stand up and protest years of discrimination, disrespect, miserable pay, and unsafe working conditions. I applaud their resolve.
I also find it quite possible that Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered as part of a plot to undermine the garbage strike; it sure makes you think about the possibility!
It’s sad that those two garbage men died while on the job. There should’ve been better safety conditions for the workers.
The operator didn’t know the men were back there? Was he also African- American, or was he white?
I find it hard to believe that the operator didn’t know these men where in the back of that truck. Why wasn’t it safer working conditions for everyone to begin with? Never heard of this piece of history but not surprised that Martin Luther King Jr. had a part in it, awesome man.
It does make you think that Martin Luther King Jr.’s murder was part of the plot to undermine the strike because after he was shot the strike stopped.
It’s so sad that it that someone so influential was killed..
Why were they only allowed to get in with the trash and not in the cab? I see my rubbish collectors working in the rain….
Martin Luther King was famous historical incident in the past, I like how he was brave enough by himself as murder in the past.
I hope that Martin Luther King Jr’s death was a lone gunman and not a government plot. To think our government capable of that is scary.
I could only imagine the implications of an employer, in this at and age, to give their employees only one place to hide from the rain – in the garbage! Crazy!
The death of the 2 garbage truck workers is a tragic accident. Hopefully there has been rules put into place since then that under no circumstances no one should climb into the back of the trash truck.
I didn’t know that Martin Luther King Jr. was killed at the same time the Sanitation Strike was occurring. It seems reasonable to believe that the assassination occurred to undermine the strike.
I never knew about this event in history, it is tragic but interesting.
This is a tragic story that I feel does not get told often. That should change.
I have never heard of this event in history of the 2 garbage men. I know about MLK but i did not know that this event is what it stemmed from !