ThoughtGallery.org > We Are One: The 1982 Chinatown Garment Strike, 30 Years Later

We Are One: The 1982 Chinatown Garment Strike, 30 Years Later

In 1982, tens of thousands of workers, mostly immigrant women, worked in union garment factories in and around Canal Street in Chinatown. In the summer of 1982, with union contract negotiations blocked by a small group of Chinatown employers, 20, 000 workers flooded the streets to demand a fair contract.

Following the historic strike, Chinese immigrant workers became new leaders and activists in the union. They gained a new voice at work and in the community. The 1982 strike transformed the image of Chinese immigrant women workers and wrote a new page of community and labor history. Come hear about this historic strike from the union activists who made it happen.

3:00 – 5:00 pm Panel Discussion in Cantonese Chinese
5:00 – 6:00 pm RECEPTION
6:00 – 8:00 pm Panel Discussion in English

Film clip from “Digital Quilt,” by Nancy Tong, Documentary film professor and filmmaker

6-8 pm Speakers (English discussion)
June Jee, MOCA Trustee and daughter of Local 23-25 retiree
Katie Quan, Associate Chair, UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education
Wing Fong Chin, 1982 strike organizer, former Chair of ILGWU Local 23-25
Ed Vargas, Workers United/SEIU (formerly ILGWU), National Political Director (retired)
Rose Imperato, Coordinator, Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition

Admission: This program is free and open to the public, courtesy of TARGET. RSVP to [email protected].











When: Thu., Jun. 28, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Where: Museum of Chinese in America
215 Centre St.
212-619-4785
Price: Free
Buy tickets/get more info now
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In 1982, tens of thousands of workers, mostly immigrant women, worked in union garment factories in and around Canal Street in Chinatown. In the summer of 1982, with union contract negotiations blocked by a small group of Chinatown employers, 20, 000 workers flooded the streets to demand a fair contract.

Following the historic strike, Chinese immigrant workers became new leaders and activists in the union. They gained a new voice at work and in the community. The 1982 strike transformed the image of Chinese immigrant women workers and wrote a new page of community and labor history. Come hear about this historic strike from the union activists who made it happen.

3:00 – 5:00 pm Panel Discussion in Cantonese Chinese
5:00 – 6:00 pm RECEPTION
6:00 – 8:00 pm Panel Discussion in English

Film clip from “Digital Quilt,” by Nancy Tong, Documentary film professor and filmmaker

6-8 pm Speakers (English discussion)
June Jee, MOCA Trustee and daughter of Local 23-25 retiree
Katie Quan, Associate Chair, UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education
Wing Fong Chin, 1982 strike organizer, former Chair of ILGWU Local 23-25
Ed Vargas, Workers United/SEIU (formerly ILGWU), National Political Director (retired)
Rose Imperato, Coordinator, Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition

Admission: This program is free and open to the public, courtesy of TARGET. RSVP to [email protected].

Buy tickets/get more info now