audio by artist nelson jones interview

From February to April, 1968, sanitation workers in Memphis struck to form AFSCME Local 1733. Their campaign gained national attention from civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated while in Memphis lending his support. On April 16, 1968, the city of Memphis settled the strike with AFSCME negotiators and agreed upon a contract. Here, striking sanitation worker Nelson Jones comments on his feelings about the strike and the union.