The 1982 Chinatown Garment Workers’ Strike in New York City was a landmark moment in U.S. labor history—especially for Asian American women. At the time, Chinatown was home to around 500 garment factories employing roughly 20,000 workers, most of whom were immigrant women from Hong Kong and southern China. These women endured long hours, unsafe conditions, and were paid by the piece—often earning far below minimum wage.
The strike was sparked when Chinatown contractors rejected a union contract negotiated by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU). The contractors demanded changes that would have weakened worker protections, such as shifting responsibility for holiday pay to the union and allowing business with non-union manufacturers.
In response, nearly 20,000 workers—many of whom had never participated in a protest before—rallied in Columbus Park on June 24, 1982. They carried bilingual signs and wore union caps, declaring solidarity with the ILGWU. Organizers like Katie Quan and Lily Moy played key roles in mobilizing the community.
The strike was a resounding success. Within days, nearly all contractors agreed to sign the union contract, preserving critical benefits like health care, pensions, and fair wages. It also shattered stereotypes about Asian American women being passive or apolitical, showing their collective power and resilience.