Memphis city unions hold protest at city hall, demand city leaders honor MOUs
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – In Memphis, Tennessee, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lost his life in 1968 fighting for the rights of unionized sanitation workers, trouble brews.
All 13 of the city’s unions protested together Tuesday, criticizing Mayor Paul Young and the city council for trying to invalidate their collective bargaining agreements.
The unions in attendance included:
- Communications Workers of America, Local 3806 chapter
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local W391 chapter
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 474 chapter
- International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 369 chapter
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 1733 chapter
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 667 chapter
- Memphis Fire Fighters Association
- Memphis Police Association
- Memphis & West Tennessee Labor Council
State and local leaders were also present.
The last time the city administration ran into this kind of disagreement with local unions was nearly half a century ago. In 1978, Memphis police and firefighters went on strike, with the National Guard deployed to quell the violence and protect property from arsonists.
Right now, the guard is already in town as part of President Donald Trump’s “Make Memphis Safe Again” order.
The next obvious question for the union leaders is: Are you ready to strike?
During the demonstration outside Memphis City Hall, union members made it clear, they are at a breaking point with failed negotiations with the city
“We are the backbone of this city,” said Pastor Keith Caldwell of Centenary United Methodist Church, “We are the hands that built it. We are the hearts that serve it. And we are the voices that will not be silenced.”
Members of the unions representing Memphis city employees, including police, fire and sanitation workers, called on Mayor Young and city leaders to honor traditional negotiations.
“We’re out here today defending our rights to bargaining collectively,” said James Jones III, president of Teamsters Local 667, “So we ask again, are you union-friendly?”
“Never in this city have we had a mayor just come out and say, ‘I’m not going to sign MOUs,’” said Niqualus Nibley with IBEW Local 474.
Union leaders say Mayor Young refuses to honor any memorandums of understanding (MOUs), which are formal, nonbinding agreements between parties outlining shared goals. They’ve been used in labor negotiations in Memphis for decades.
AFSCME member Austin Kimpel, who works in street maintenance, says public service employees are hurting because their benefits, PTO and pay are impacted by the city’s refusal to come to the table.
“Because we are being forced into such a state that we cannot afford food,” he told Action News 5, “I cannot afford baby formula for my newborn son. He’s a month old right now, and I had to use all my PTO and sick time just to take off for a month to be with him.”
The Memphis Fire Fighters Association sued the city for not delivering a promised 5% raise this year. The city council reduced it to 3%. Council members JB Smiley Jr. and Jerri Green joined with the protestors Tuesday.
“You want to know why I didn’t vote for the budget last year?” Green asked the crowd. “It’s because promises were broken to our union members.”
The city filed a countersuit against the fire union, stating employees do not have “the right or authority to collectively bargain with the city.”
The countersuit asked the chancellor to invalidate all of the city’s agreements with its unions. The city also argued that MOUs signed by other mayors are “not binding or enforceable,” which would impact agreements reached with the Strickland administration prior to Mayor Young taking office in January of 2024.
The Memphis Police Association—the police union—is also suing the city over a newly-created rank. An arbitrator and a judge both sided with the union, but the city is appealing.
Union leaders are now asking for a compromise to avoid lawsuits, and in the spirit of Dr. King’s 1968 march, they’re also seeking compassion in hopes of avoiding a possible strike.
“Because you’re going to listen to the workers,” said Pastor Caldwell, “because these unions have the power to run this city, and they also have the power to stop this city.”
Mayor Young sent Action News 5 the following statement:
“Nearly six decades ago, Dr. King’s sacrifice in Memphis became part of our collective memory. Today, the issues are still as valid. Our administration values and supports fair wages and safe working conditions and we are not willing to undo history. But as Mayor of Memphis, my ultimate responsibility is to ensure our government serves everyone. In that pursuit, we will continue to work with our employees to find a fair resolution.”
When Action News 5 asked the union leaders if they were going to call a strike, Nibley with IBEW said, “No comment.”
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