APALA

Historically, Asian Pacific American (APA) union members have been an integral, if often overlooked, segment of the labor movement despite a vibrant history of Chinese railroad workers, striking Hawaii plantation workers, and Filipino farmer workers.  According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, APAs along with Latinos, represent the fastest growing segment of the unionized workforce. These demographic shifts necessitate greater awareness and attention to the nation’s 660,000 APA union members.

As the bridge between the broader labor movement and the APA community, APALA has been at the forefront of bringing APA worker issues to light through its Labor and Community Partnerships. Recently, APALA took the initiative to convene the first National APA Worker’s Hearing. Attended by over 200 people, this hearing brought APA workers from various sectors nationwide to testify to stakeholders on the right to organize and immigrant worker’s rights. With its successes in educating major stakeholders, APALA’s local chapters have begun to create their own hearings.

APALA's 2011 national convention was from July 21-24, 2011 in Oakland.