One significant Black-led labor strike in Black history was the Memphis Sanitation Strike of 1968. This strike was sparked by the deaths of two African American sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, who were crushed to death by a malfunctioning garbage truck.

The sanitation workers, who were predominantly Black, faced dangerous working conditions, low wages, and discriminatory treatment on the job. Led by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1733 and prominent civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the workers went on strike to demand better pay, improved working conditions, and recognition of their union.

The strike gained national attention and drew support from civil rights leaders, labor unions, and community members. Dr. King delivered his famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech in support of the striking workers in Memphis, just one day before he was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

After more than two months of striking, the city of Memphis agreed to the workers' demands, providing wage increases, union recognition, and improved safety measures. The Memphis Sanitation Strike of 1968 highlighted the intersection of racial and economic inequality and demonstrated the power of collective action in the fight for justice and equality.