Martin Luther King on Workers' Rights

Martin Luther King was a powerful advocate for unions and workers rights. See his last speech to striking sanitation workers and read what he had to say about workers' rights.

Martin Luther King's Speech to Striking Memphis Sanitation Workers

On April 3, 1968, Martin Luther King gave his last speech to support sanitation workers on strike for union recognition in Memphis. The next day King was assassinated.


Martin Luther King on Right-to-Work Laws

"In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as 'right to work.' It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and job rights. It is supported by Southern segregationists who are trying to keep us from achieving our civil rights and our right of equal job opportunity. Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining by which unions have improved wages and working conditions of everyone.Wherever these laws have been passed, wages are lower, job opportunities are fewer and there are no civil rights. We do not intend to let them do this to us. We demand this fraud be stopped. Our weapon is our vote."

King speaking on right-to-work laws in 1961.

Get Advice Join TDU Donate

Recent News

Teamster History – As Told by those Who Made it Happen

The IBT has launched the Teamster History Project, which includes 27 unedited interviews with Teamsters who made it happen. It covers the years 1975-1999.  Those interviewed include several TDU leaders, participants in the Carey administration, James Hoffa, along with two Hoffa lieutenants who were expelled from the union for corruption and self-dealing.

Teamsters Rally for Delivery Protection Act with Sean O’Brien

Teamsters, Amazon workers, and labor allies rallied today in New York to support the Delivery Protection Act. General President Sean O’Brien joined the rally to call for an end to Amazon and other delivery services’ subcontractor model.

View More News Posts