APALA

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      • APALA Organizing Institute - Saint Paul, MN | July 2019
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  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership
    • National Staff
    • Partners
    • Opportunities
    • Contact us
  • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Fund
    • Worker Resources
    • AAPI Worker Stories
  • Our Work
    • Economic & Worker Justice
    • Racial & Immigrant Justice
    • Civic & Political Engagement >
      • #AAPI2020
      • Census 2020
    • Organizing & Leadership Development >
      • APALA Organizing Institute - Saint Paul, MN | July 2019
      • APALA Organizing Institute - Seattle, WA | Oct 2019
  • Chapters
    • Locations
    • Emerging Leaders Training
  • Membership
    • Yearly Membership
    • Lifetime Warriors
  • Take Action
    • Donate
    • Protest + Organizing Resources
    • Subscribe
  • Media
    • Press Releases
    • Publications >
      • Untapped Power
    • APALA in the News
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Our Mission and History

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 660,000 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 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 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.

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 check out our official constitution, please click here. 

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, 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 CareTeam@apalanet.org.

Institute for Asian Pacific American Leadership & Advancement

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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.

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
815 16th St. NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20006
202-800-5811 | apala@apalanet.org

​Contact Us
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 whom are union members and our allies, building power for AAPI workers and communities.
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