With the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes across the world, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO concludes 16th Biennial Convention with resolutions supporting all Black, Indigenous and People of Color
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO, successfully concluded their 16th Biennial Convention, Rooted in Legacy: Reimagining a New World Beyond Borders and Across Oceans. 800 members and allies of the largest national organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers joined the convention virtually from August 5th to 8th to healthily debate, elect leadership and vote on the commitments and actions that APALA members will take to improve AAPI communities for the next two years and beyond.
Convention delegates elected a strong leadership board that will lead APALA through 2023. Brady Calma, SEIU from Alameda Chapter has been elected to the APALA National Executive Board as National President. Other officers elected include Steven Moy, IBEW from New York Chapter as 1st Vice President, Ligaya Domingo, SEIU from Seattle Chapter as 2nd Vice President, Sandra Engle, UAW from Michigan Chapter as Secretary, and Jessica Tang, BTU from Massachusetts Chapter as Treasurer.
Ten resolutions were passed by APALA delegates during the convention to advocate and support progressive policies and programs. There are 10 more resolutions that will be debated and voted on at an upcoming town hall that is to be announced. The resolutions that were passed include calling for:
Read the full list of passed resolutions here.
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Convention highlights include speakers Julie Su, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Labor; Pamela Tau Lee, Founder of Asian Pacific Environmental Network; Maung Maung, President of the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar; and April Sims, Secretary Treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council. Bella & Cassandra Quinto-Collins also spoke about the death of Angelo Quinto.
“We are living in such an important moment in AAPI history,” said Brady Calma. “With the passage of these eight resolutions, APALA is asserting its stance on advancing the labor movement toward a future that is fair for all people, regardless of race. This is a pivotal moment for us to collectively build a progressive AAPI agenda where all of our communities are reflected and our Convention was a powerful step toward that.”
About Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO:
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 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. For more information, visit apalanet.org
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO, successfully concluded their 16th Biennial Convention, Rooted in Legacy: Reimagining a New World Beyond Borders and Across Oceans. 800 members and allies of the largest national organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers joined the convention virtually from August 5th to 8th to healthily debate, elect leadership and vote on the commitments and actions that APALA members will take to improve AAPI communities for the next two years and beyond.
Convention delegates elected a strong leadership board that will lead APALA through 2023. Brady Calma, SEIU from Alameda Chapter has been elected to the APALA National Executive Board as National President. Other officers elected include Steven Moy, IBEW from New York Chapter as 1st Vice President, Ligaya Domingo, SEIU from Seattle Chapter as 2nd Vice President, Sandra Engle, UAW from Michigan Chapter as Secretary, and Jessica Tang, BTU from Massachusetts Chapter as Treasurer.
Ten resolutions were passed by APALA delegates during the convention to advocate and support progressive policies and programs. There are 10 more resolutions that will be debated and voted on at an upcoming town hall that is to be announced. The resolutions that were passed include calling for:
- global vaccine equity
- just economic recovery for all hospitality workers
- Asian American studies incorporated in the Texas State Board of Education
- support for the Angelo Quinto Act of 2021 in California
- APALA’s solidarity with abolitionist organizations and work
- opposition to the prison to deportation pipeline
- a renewed commitment to humanitarian intervention in the southern border
- immigration reform, humane immigration enforcement, and a fair and efficient immigration system
- solidarity with Burmese workers by resisting the military junta in Myanmar
Read the full list of passed resolutions here.
--MORE--
Convention highlights include speakers Julie Su, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Labor; Pamela Tau Lee, Founder of Asian Pacific Environmental Network; Maung Maung, President of the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar; and April Sims, Secretary Treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council. Bella & Cassandra Quinto-Collins also spoke about the death of Angelo Quinto.
“We are living in such an important moment in AAPI history,” said Brady Calma. “With the passage of these eight resolutions, APALA is asserting its stance on advancing the labor movement toward a future that is fair for all people, regardless of race. This is a pivotal moment for us to collectively build a progressive AAPI agenda where all of our communities are reflected and our Convention was a powerful step toward that.”
About Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO:
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 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. For more information, visit apalanet.org
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