The Important Role of Sanitation Workers in Labor History

Sanitation workers are a vital part of any community, and they are worthy of our deep respect. During Waste & Recycling Workers Week and every day, we honor these hard-working individuals who keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and vibrant.

Sanitation work is consistently ranked among the most dangerous work in the United States and is often physically demanding, with some workers lifting or tossing 100 pounds or more, hundreds of times during a shift, and others operating dangerous equipment. This work is also vital to public health, as removing and managing waste is critical to preventing the spread of diseases and to ensuring environmental cleanliness.

In 1968, two black sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were killed by a malfunctioning garbage truck. Their tragic deaths were a catalyst for the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike of 1968. More than 1,300 Black workers from the Memphis Department of Public Works went on strike to demand better working conditions, higher pay, and union recognition. Their struggle attracted the attention of a nation and was supported by civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This strike was a significant landmark in labor union history and helped frame labor as a civil rights issue. The striking workers famously marched wearing signs that read “I am a Man”, redefining labor organizing as a movement for the dignity and justice of all workers.

Today, sanitation workers like the tireless members of AFSCME Local 427, who work in the City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation, continue the tradition of ensuring safe, fair working conditions through collective bargaining. Their 1,400+ members have fought for pay that recognizes the importance and hazards of their work, for adequate staffing that ensures that Philadelphia continues to be clean and green, and for dignity in the workplace. Unions like AFSCME Local 427 continue to play an important role in ensuring sanitation workers are treated with the respect they deserve.

Willig, Williams & Davidson is proud to represent Local 427 as just one way to honor the legacy of sanitation workers of the past, and to support the sanitation workers of today who continue to push for family-sustaining wages and protections.

Thank you to the members of AFSCME Local 427, and to ALL sanitation workers who keep our communities clean and healthy!