Our Mission
Founded in 1992, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO, is the first and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) 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 800,000 AAPI union members and in serving as the bridge between the broader labor movement and the AAPI community. Backed with strong support of the AFL-CIO, APALA has 22 chapters and a national office in Washington, D.C.
APALA is dedicated to promoting political education and voter registration programs among AAPIs, and to the training, empowerment, and leadership of AAPIs within the labor movement and APA community. Furthermore, APALA works to defend and advocate for the civil and human rights of AAPIs, 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 AAPI community.
APALA is dedicated to promoting political education and voter registration programs among AAPIs, and to the training, empowerment, and leadership of AAPIs within the labor movement and APA community. Furthermore, APALA works to defend and advocate for the civil and human rights of AAPIs, 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 AAPI community.
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 AAPI workers so they recognize their own power and activism.
- Providing APALA members opportunities to develop organizing skills and create a pipeline 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 AAPI worker power.
Our History
The role Asian Americans 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 AAPI 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 -- AAPIs are moving towards an era where AAPI laborers unite.
In 1990, AAPI labor activists approached the AFL-CIO with a historic proposal to form a national Asian American and Pacific Islander labor group. A year later, the AFL-CIO Executive Council established a committee to explore the formation of a national AAPI labor group. The Steering Committee that was formed from this proposal included the three regional AAPI labor groups, representatives from the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and representatives from the seven founding unions. In 1992, over 500 AAPI labor activists from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for the founding convention of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO.
To read our official constitution, please click here.
In 1990, AAPI labor activists approached the AFL-CIO with a historic proposal to form a national Asian American and Pacific Islander labor group. A year later, the AFL-CIO Executive Council established a committee to explore the formation of a national AAPI labor group. The Steering Committee that was formed from this proposal included the three regional AAPI labor groups, representatives from the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and representatives from the seven founding unions. In 1992, over 500 AAPI labor activists from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for the founding convention of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO.
To read our official constitution, please click here.
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 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 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, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, caste or perceived caste, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected 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 AAPI 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.