[1][2] The racial makeup of the strikers increased tensions surrounding the work stoppage and impaired social race relations in the city.Strikers participated in nonviolent marches, economic boycotts, picketing, and human blockades which eventually turned violent with four nights of riots.
[2][3][4] During the four-month strike, sanitation crew chief Joe Savage led nearly 40 marches down to City Hall, and participated in nonviolent protests which resulted in mass arrests.
[1][5] The strike gained the attention of local and national civil rights advocates, designating this as a significant event in the city's history.
[3][6] Furthermore, older workers with seniority in the department feared termination over the newly implemented trash containers as they were heavier and more difficult to handle.
[6] Strikers explained that there was a long list of "broken promises" behind the strike as well as a need for respect within the sanitation department and the community.
In 1964, a labor strike was quickly settled by St. Petersburg City Manager Lynn Andrews, who promptly granted the requested raises.
[9] Local civil rights attorneys, James Sanderlin and Frank Peterman, represented a committee of eight sanitation workers, members of the Young Men's Progressive Club, during the labor negotiations with the city.
[9] In 1964, garbage man Joe Savage formed the Young Men's Progressive Club, which served as a quasi union for the sanitation workers of St.
[8] As a result of these perceived failed promises, sanitation workers demanded a wage increase of 25-cents an hour before they would return to work.
City Manager Lynn Andrews, having agreed with similar demands in the two previous strikes, asked the strikers to take the day off and come back Tuesday while claiming he was in no position to grant any wage increases.
[11] Andrews labeled this work stoppage a "wildcat walkout" strike provoked by a "few dissident workers" at an afternoon press conference.
[8][11][12] Attorney James Sanderlin, representing the strikers, quickly asserted that all sanitation workers wanted an increase in pay.
At approximately 7:10 a.m., the first of five garbage trucks attempted to leave the compound under police escort, but was met with a human blockade of protesters barricading the exit.
At the advice of attorney James Sanderlin and crew chief Joe Savage, the protesters allowed three trucks to exit.
[8][11][12] Large trailers were placed at local fires stations while free dumping and incineration was offered at the Toytown landfill.
[2] On May 23, Ike Williams encouraged a "selective buying" campaign, advocating an economic boycott of white owned businesses.
[1] While few trucks were able to leave the sanitation compound under police escort to service the city, residential pick up remained slow.
Attorney John Due, organizer for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFL-CIO), presented a check to the Young Men's Progressive Club.
Workers would return to a six-day 48-hour work week, however, if a crew was able to finish their routes early they would be given the opportunity to clock out and receive a full day's pay.
[5][8] While returning sanitation workers did not receive the pay increase they had hoped for, there are those who suggest this strike "brought the national Civil Rights Movement to St. Petersburg" and started the conversation for cultural and economic advancements of African-Americans in the city.