Our Mission
Founded in 1992, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO, is the first and only national organization of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) workers, most of who are union members, and our allies advancing worker, immigrant and civil rights. Since its founding, APALA has played a unique role in addressing the workplace issues of the 660,000 AANHPI union members and in serving as the bridge between the broader labor movement and the AANHPI community. Backed with strong support of the AFL-CIO, APALA has more than 20 chapters and pre-chapters and a national office in Washington, D.C.
APALA is dedicated to promoting political education and voter registration programs among AANHPIs, and to the training, empowerment, and leadership of AANHPIs within the labor movement and community. Furthermore, APALA works to defend and advocate for the civil and human rights of AANHPIs, immigrants and all people of color, and continues to develop ties within international labor organizations, especially in the Asia-Pacific Rim.
APALA plays a distinct role as the sole nexus between organized labor and the AANHPI community.
APALA is dedicated to promoting political education and voter registration programs among AANHPIs, and to the training, empowerment, and leadership of AANHPIs within the labor movement and community. Furthermore, APALA works to defend and advocate for the civil and human rights of AANHPIs, immigrants and all people of color, and continues to develop ties within international labor organizations, especially in the Asia-Pacific Rim.
APALA plays a distinct role as the sole nexus between organized labor and the AANHPI community.
Our Constitution
Our Constitution is our highest document within APALA, AFL-CIO and only delegates to Constitutional Conventions may amend it. You can find the most current version here.
Our Priorities
We prioritize our unique role and expertise by:
- Building and strengthening APALA chapters where the core work of APALA is done.
- Strengthening relationships with organized labor to support their campaigns.
- Building solidarity with AANHPI workers so they recognize their own power and activism.
- Providing APALA members opportunities to develop organizing skills and create a pathway to work as organizers in their unions.
- Prioritizing campaigns and programs that will help to build an APALA rooted in this vision.
- Fundraising to build an APALA based on building AANHPI worker power.
Our History
The role Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders play in the labor history is extremely diverse. From labor heroes like Philip Vera Cruz, a Filipino labor organizer instrumental in the formation of the United Farm Workers Union, and Gene Viernes and Silme Domingo, who co-founded the Alaska Cannery Worker’s Association, these organizers demonstrated the great importance of building an AANHPI labor alliance. Emerging from a history of legalized exclusion -- from barriers to enter the U.S. to restrictions from participating in acts like owning land -- AANHPIs are moving towards an era where AANHPI laborers unite.
In 1990, AANHPI labor activists approached the AFL-CIO with a historic proposal to form a national Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander labor group. A year later, the AFL-CIO Executive Council established a committee to explore the formation of a national AANHPI labor group. The Steering Committee that was formed from this proposal included the three regional AANHPI labor groups, representatives from the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and representatives from the seven founding unions. In 1992, over 500 AANHPI labor activists from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for the founding convention of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO.
In 1990, AANHPI labor activists approached the AFL-CIO with a historic proposal to form a national Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander labor group. A year later, the AFL-CIO Executive Council established a committee to explore the formation of a national AANHPI labor group. The Steering Committee that was formed from this proposal included the three regional AANHPI labor groups, representatives from the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and representatives from the seven founding unions. In 1992, over 500 AANHPI labor activists from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for the founding convention of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO.
Our Principles for Collective Liberation
Many folks in our communities show care by offering food and asking if you have eaten yet. At APALA we believe that it is up to ALL OF US to make sure WE ALL EAT. It is our collective responsibility to care for one another.
We have seven principles for collective liberation and organizing stronger communities. We developed these as a way to stay grounded in how we are working together for a future where we all eat. Just like the beginnings of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander movements, our visions and values are rooted in Black liberation, Indigenous sovereignty, and solidarity with all struggles for collective liberation. All of our struggles are connected and we cannot win one without another.
To check out our 7 Principles for Collective Liberation, please click here.
We have seven principles for collective liberation and organizing stronger communities. We developed these as a way to stay grounded in how we are working together for a future where we all eat. Just like the beginnings of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander movements, our visions and values are rooted in Black liberation, Indigenous sovereignty, and solidarity with all struggles for collective liberation. All of our struggles are connected and we cannot win one without another.
To check out our 7 Principles for Collective Liberation, please click here.
Our Standard of Conduct
APALA is committed to providing and environment free from discrimination and harassment, regardless of an individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, caste or perceived caste, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic prohibited by law.
As such, APALA will not tolerate discriminatory, harassing or otherwise unacceptable behavior at any of its activities, events, or meetings. APALA expects everyone who participated in any of its activities, events or meetings to abide by this standard of conduct.
There will be no retaliation or other adverse actions taken against an individual who makes a complaint. Complaints should be sent to [email protected].
As such, APALA will not tolerate discriminatory, harassing or otherwise unacceptable behavior at any of its activities, events, or meetings. APALA expects everyone who participated in any of its activities, events or meetings to abide by this standard of conduct.
There will be no retaliation or other adverse actions taken against an individual who makes a complaint. Complaints should be sent to [email protected].
Institute for Asian Pacific American Leadership & Advancement
The Institute for Asian Pacific American Leadership & Advancement was established in 2011 to build capacity through our chapters and partnerships with local and national AANHPI organizations. Alongside our sister organization, APALA, we hope to ensure broader education, civic engagement, and capacity building for our communities.
IAPALA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and any contributions to IAPALA are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. Donate to IAPALA today.
IAPALA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and any contributions to IAPALA are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. Donate to IAPALA today.