Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
To see the whole documentary go here. youtu.be/BNnz1fJkSZk
This is a real documentary that I filmed in 1965 at a Union meeting in New York City regarding garbage truck drivers wages and other issues. Some of my YouTube commentators suggested that this is a theatrical made with actors. But I was the director and the 16mm cameraman and I can assure you that this meeting took place for real. I posted this clip back in 2018 and it was fascinating to people to hearing New Yorkers talking/barking at each other. As a New Yorker myself, I'm very comfortable with this kind of speech. Many of those who commented wish that they had union representation similar to what is demonstrated in this film
At that time a New York City garbage strike had just ended. I can remember it because there were thousands of smelly bags of garbage on every street corner. I asked these New York International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 813 union guys who were involved with garbage collection to have a real discussion as though I wasn't there and to behave in the way that they normally would when they are negotiating. That is what they did.
Though their language was rough, at the end of the meeting they got something done and indeed the issues that they were debating were negotiated. Some of my subscribers have asked about their ethnicities. Most were Irish and Italian with a few New York City Jews.
There have been many union versus management battles in recent years including JATC, the Chicago teachers union, the pipefitters union and the plumbers union. In most cases I supported the union workers and their desire for a living wage. The Amazon minimum wage has been recently debated and again and I tend to support the union. I am not sure about tip credits.
Back in 1965 union workers were crucial to the operation of New York City garbage trucks. The city relied heavily on these workers to collect and dispose of waste generated by millions of residents and businesses. Union representation provided workers with bargaining power to negotiate for better wages, working conditions, and benefits.
The 1965 strike demonstrated the importance of union workers in the sanitation industry. When they went on strike, garbage quickly piled up on the streets, causing a public health concern and highlighting the critical role these workers played in maintaining the cleanliness and health of the city. The resolution of the strike resulted in better working conditions and wages for the sanitation workers and further underscored the need for union representation in the industry at that time.
Some of the demands raised by the workers during the 1965 garbage strike included:
Wage increases: Sanitation workers sought higher wages - what they called a living wage - to keep up with the cost of living and to ensure fair compensation for their labor-intensive work.
Improved working conditions: Workers demanded better conditions, including safer equipment, reasonable work hours, and proper facilities to protect their health and well-being while on the job.
Benefits: The union workers also wanted better benefits, such as health care, pensions, and vacation time, to help support their families and secure their futures.
Please. Consider supporting my efforts to present more videos like this one by clicking the Super Thanks button below the video screen.
Thank you in advance
David Hoffman filmmaker
To see the whole documentary go here. youtu.be/BNnz1fJkSZk
This is a real documentary that I filmed in 1965 at a Union meeting in New York City regarding garbage truck drivers wages and other issues. Some of my YouTube commentators suggested that this is a theatrical made with actors. But I was the director and the 16mm cameraman and I can assure you that this meeting took place for real. I posted this clip back in 2018 and it was fascinating to people to hearing New Yorkers talking/barking at each other. As a New Yorker myself, I'm very comfortable with this kind of speech. Many of those who commented wish that they had union representation similar to what is demonstrated in this film
At that time a New York City garbage strike had just ended. I can remember it because there were thousands of smelly bags of garbage on every street corner. I asked these New York International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 813 union guys who were involved with garbage collection to have a real discussion as though I wasn't there and to behave in the way that they normally would when they are negotiating. That is what they did.
Though their language was rough, at the end of the meeting they got something done and indeed the issues that they were debating were negotiated. Some of my subscribers have asked about their ethnicities. Most were Irish and Italian with a few New York City Jews.
There have been many union versus management battles in recent years including JATC, the Chicago teachers union, the pipefitters union and the plumbers union. In most cases I supported the union workers and their desire for a living wage. The Amazon minimum wage has been recently debated and again and I tend to support the union. I am not sure about tip credits.
Back in 1965 union workers were crucial to the operation of New York City garbage trucks. The city relied heavily on these workers to collect and dispose of waste generated by millions of residents and businesses. Union representation provided workers with bargaining power to negotiate for better wages, working conditions, and benefits.
The 1965 strike demonstrated the importance of union workers in the sanitation industry. When they went on strike, garbage quickly piled up on the streets, causing a public health concern and highlighting the critical role these workers played in maintaining the cleanliness and health of the city. The resolution of the strike resulted in better working conditions and wages for the sanitation workers and further underscored the need for union representation in the industry at that time.
Some of the demands raised by the workers during the 1965 garbage strike included:
Wage increases: Sanitation workers sought higher wages - what they called a living wage - to keep up with the cost of living and to ensure fair compensation for their labor-intensive work.
Improved working conditions: Workers demanded better conditions, including safer equipment, reasonable work hours, and proper facilities to protect their health and well-being while on the job.
Benefits: The union workers also wanted better benefits, such as health care, pensions, and vacation time, to help support their families and secure their futures.
Please. Consider supporting my efforts to present more videos like this one by clicking the Super Thanks button below the video screen.
Thank you in advance
David Hoffman filmmaker
