MUSC: 1969 Hospital Workers Strike

In 1969, photojournalist Cecil Williams was present for the Charleston Hospital workers strike.
At the time, most African American workers at the Medical College served in underpaid positions and often faced harassment. On March 19, staff began walking off of their jobs. Twelve hospital workers were fired the following day, prompting more workers at the Medical College Hospital and the Charleston County Hospital to join the strike.
The strike lasted 99 days and garnered the attention of national civil rights leaders. It finally came to an end when the administration agreed to rehire strikers, implement a grievance process for harassment and increase pay.