New York City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang recently introduced Resolution No. 0844, calling for May 10th to be designated as “Chinese American Railroad Workers Memorial Day” to recognize the crucial contributions of Chinese laborers during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad in the United States. This resolution has garnered support from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) in New York City.
Zhuang stated, “The stories of Chinese American railroad workers are often forgotten or erased from our nation’s historical memory. Recognizing their sacrifices and contributions is not only a sign of respect for the past but also aims to integrate their efforts into the narrative of American immigration, labor, resilience, and progress.”
The resolution points out that Chinese laborers who worked on the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad faced extremely dangerous and discriminatory working conditions. They were paid lower wages than white workers, endured long hours, and even staged a strike in 1867 due to unfair treatment. At that time, the management not only refused to negotiate but also threatened violence and cut off food supplies.
In a supporting statement, the UFT stated, “In response to these dreadful working conditions, the Chinese workers organized themselves to demand higher wages and shorter hours. This organized resistance against unfair labor practices required determination and courage, paving the way for today’s labor movement. We have a responsibility to commemorate the contributions of Chinese laborers to the construction of the American railroad.”
The UFT also pointed out that this history is often overlooked, but precisely for this reason, lessons should be learned from it: “We must remember past mistakes to ensure they do not happen again.”
Councilwoman Zhuang expressed her gratitude for the UFT’s support of her proposal and emphasized that establishing a memorial day is a way to bring marginalized contributions from history back into the public eye, educating future generations about the vital role of diverse ethnic groups in the development of the United States.