About APALA

Founded in 1992, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, is the first and only national organization of Asian Pacific American union members.

It organizes and works with Asian Pacific American workers, many of them immigrants, to build the labor movement and address exploitative conditions in the garment, electronics, hotel and restaurant, food processing, and health care industries.

photo by Lia Chang Gallery Lois Hunter, Japanese American United Airlines ticket agent, Hawaii, August 1995

More than half a million Asian Pacific American workers have joined unions and are seeking better pay, improved benefits, dignity on the job, and a voice in the work place.

Backed with the strong support of the AFL-CIO, APALA has thirteen chapters and pre-chapters and a national office in Washington, D.C.

APALA recruits and trains union members and labor activists to become leaders in the labor movement. APALA mobilizes voters to increase Asian American participation in the political process. APALA is involved with local communities to increase their awareness of the labor movement and issues that affect workers. APALA also has ties to international delegates who visit the United States.

Related Information

Journey for Justice, 223 Years of APA Labor in the Puget Sound, a photo exhibit produced by The Evergreen College and APALA Seattle Chapter.