New York! Celebrate your history. On Thursday, June 28, the Museum of Chinese in America is commemorating the Chinatown Garment Workers' strike in 1982, during which tens of thousands of workers in union garment factories organized a protest for fair contracts. Come to "We Are One: The 1982 Garment Worker Strike, 30 Years Later," and see an excerpt of Nancy Tong's documentary, Digital Quilt. There's lots more, too:
We Are One: The 1982 Chinatown Garment Strike, 30 Years LaterAdmission for the program is free. RSVP to programs@mocanyc.org.
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
