Historical Context

During this first section of the primary source exploration, students will learn about the working conditions of Memphis sanitation workers and their reasons for striking. It is important for students to recognize that garbage collection in Memphis in the 1960s looked very different than it does today. Instead of the contemporary rolling plastic bins students may be used to, trash receptacles during the time period were metal bins of varying sizes, and people were not required to use trash bags or to bring their trash to the curb. Rather, sanitation workers were required to walk through people's lawns and driveways to collect bins of trash, oftentimes stacking overflowing, rusted metal containers on top of each other. It was backbreaking labor performed without the assistance of trollies or trash cans on wheels. Additionally, workers were paid wages that left them well below the poverty line and were dismissed from work without pay on rainy or snowy days. Without a union, the workers were left with few opportunities to improve their conditions.

Introductory Activity

Before looking at any of the sources, draw a picture or write a description of garbage cans and garbage collection in your community. (What do the cans look like? How are they removed? What does the labor of the workers entail?)

Sanitation worker James Robinson:

"Before the union, it was whatever they decided they wanted to pay you. If they wanted to pay you they did, if they didn't want to they wouldn't. I wasn't makin' a ... thing. You can't pay the light bill on no 96 cents an hour...We were workin' every day for welfare wages."

(Honey, 2007, p. 57).