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Press Releases

Largest national AAPI workers' organization elects diverse leadership, sets bold vision for organization

8/13/2019

 
For immediate release August 14, 2019
Contact Michelle Loo, 202-508-3733
 
Largest national AAPI workers' organization elects diverse leadership, sets bold vision for organization
 
15th Biennial Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) concludes with commitment to rise up and fight for AAPI community and worker rights
 
Las Vegas, NV - The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) concluded its 15th biennial convention in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 11, 2019. As members of the largest national organization for AAPI workers, close to 500 attendees shared their vision, debated, and voted to determine the priorities and course of action APALA will take on to improve the lives of AAPI workers and working families in our communities over the next two years and beyond.
 
Convention delegates elected a diverse group of AAPI workers and labor leaders to lead the organization through 2021. Monica Thammarath from the National Education Association was re-elected APALA National Executive Board as National President. The other officers elected were Kim Geron from the California Faculty Association (CFA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as 1st Vice President, Michael Yee from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3 as 2nd Vice President, Jillian Matundan from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) as Treasurer, and Tracy Lai from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 1789 as Secretary. Jigme Ugen from SEIU is the first Tibetan refugee elected to the board. 
 
APALA delegates voted to pass 22 historic resolutions to advocate and support bold progressive policies and programs, such as: 
  • A Green New Deal, which would prioritize high quality health care, affordable and safe housing, economic security, and access to clean water and air for working people
  • Medicare for All to improve health care access and affordability for all people, regardless of immigration status
  • Protecting sexual and reproductive health care as it comes under attack by the administration
  • Strengthening program and outreach to ensure AAPI communities get counted in the 2020 census 
  • Continued dedication to international solidarity with workers in Asian countries who are fighting labor and human rights violations
  • Commitment to building power and community with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders to protect Mauna Kea in opposition to the construction of a telescope that would desecrate sacred cultural lands in Hawaii
  • Strengthening the leadership pipeline and cultivating young, diverse workers into the labor movement
  • Ensure all APALA spaces and chapters are safe spaces, free from discrimination and harassment
 
Read the full list of passed resolutions here. 
 
This year’s convention saw the largest number of monolingual workers join in workshops, caucuses, plenaries, and in crafting resolutions signaling the growth of organizing efforts in newer immigrant communities. Attendees voted on a resolution to work towards language justice for APALA members through offering robust interpretation and translations.
 
International guests from Japan, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Hong Kong attended to build international solidarity. Inspired by APALA’s Convention, the Japanese delegation is working with APALA to plan the first APALA delegation to Okinawa and Japan in October. 
 
Convention highlights included keynote speeches from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, SEIU Local 1107 Executive Director Grace Vergara, Assemblyman for Nevada's 6th District William McCurdy II, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre, Congresswoman Dina Titus for Nevada’s 1st District, AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson, Political Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) and Executive Director of Care in Action Jess Morales Rocketto. 
 
APALA also launched the Tam Tran Freedom Fighter award at this year’s Convention, given to an APALA member who is leading efforts to build bridges between the labor movement and other movements for social justice. Tam Tran was a pioneering undocumented activist in the immigrant youth movement. The 2019 Tam Tran Freedom Fighter award was given to Gregory Cendana, President and Co-Founder of Can’t Stop! Won’t Stop! Consulting, APALA DC Chapter member, and former APALA Executive Director.  
 
In line with APALA’s tradition of taking action at convention, over 300 convention attendees showed up with the Culinary Workers Union to picket Palms Casino Resort in solidarity with the workers who are fighting to win their first contract but Palms is refusing to negotiate with them. 
 
“On the heels of our largest field program yet in Nevada and just six months out from the Nevada caucus, it has been grounding to host our Convention here, where AAPIs are increasingly becoming a powerful force in the electorate, in organized labor, and in the economy," said Monica Thammarath, APALA National President and NEA appointee. “With the passage of 22 progressive resolutions, we are asserting AAPI workers’ commitment to advancing the labor movement toward a future that is more inclusive of immigrants, women, LGBTQ folks, poor and working class people, and young workers. It 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 one step toward that.”

Largest national Asian American and Pacific Islander workers’ group to join Culinary Workers Union to picket Palms

8/7/2019

 
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR:
August 9, 5:45PM
 
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Loo ▪ michelle@apalanet.org ▪ (215) 776-0632
Bethany Khan ▪ BKhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
 
Largest national Asian American and Pacific Islander workers’ group to join Culinary Workers Union to picket Palms
Hundreds of attendees with the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO convention will take action in support of casino workers bargaining for a fair contract
 
What: Hundreds of Asian American and Pacific Islander union members, worker rights activists and community allies in Las Vegas for the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO’s 15th Biennial Convention will join Culinary Worker Union members and Palms Casino Resort workers on the picket line. APALA is the largest national labor organization advocating for the rights of AAPI working people by organizing together with unions and AAPI communities.
 
When: August 9, 5:45PM
 
Where: Palms Casino Resort (4321 West Flamingo Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89103)
 
Who: Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Secretary Treasurer Geoconda Argüello-Kline, APALA Convention attendees, Culinary Workers Union members, Station Casinos & Palms Casino Resort workers.
 
Why: “APALA is proud to stand with Palms Casino Resort workers who have organized to improve their ability to provide a better life for their families,” said Monica Thammarath, APALA National President. “As the nation’s largest labor organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander workers, it is especially meaningful for us to be here in support of the Culinary Workers Union, a diverse union with 15 percent AAPI membership, and Nevada’s largest immigrant organization.”
 
The Palms is owned and operated by Station Casinos, which is controlled by billionaire Trump donors Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta.
 
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled recently that Station Casinos should cease and desist its refusal to bargain at the Palms. The NLRB is currently seeking to have its orders enforced in the court of appeals while Station Casinos continues to unsuccessfully challenge the democratic unionization majority vote by its employees.
 
Workers at six Station Casinos’ Las Vegas properties are now unionized and fighting for a contract: Boulder Station (September 2016), Palace Station (March 2017), Green Valley Ranch (November 2017), Palms (April 2018), Sunset Station (June 2019), and Fiesta Rancho (June 2019).
 
--
 
ABOUT APALA:
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.
 
ABOUT THE CULINARY WORKERS UNION LOCAL 226:
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 280,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America. 
 
###

Largest national Asian American and Pacific Islander labor organization to rally and organize for AAPI worker and community rights in Las Vegas

8/7/2019

 
Press advisory for August 8-11
Contact: Michelle Loo, michelle@apalanet.org, 215-776-0632
 
Largest national Asian American and Pacific Islander labor organization to rally and organize for AAPI worker and community rights in Las Vegas
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO’s 15th Biennial Convention will unite union members, activists, students and retirees under the theme, “Rights Under Attack: Rising Up, Fighting Back”
​
(Las Vegas, Nevada) Hundreds of Asian American and Pacific Islander union members, worker rights activists and community allies are joining together in Las Vegas for the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO’s 15th Biennial Convention. APALA is the largest national organization advocating for the rights of AAPI working people by connecting labor unions to AAPI communities. Convention highlights will include joining the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 for a picket to support workers at Palms Casino Resort, keynote speeches from national labor and immigrant leaders and interactive workshops that underscores the current political moment where worker’s rights, immigrant rights, and civil rights are under attack and how APALA and the progressive movement continue to resist and fight back.
 
“We are excited to bring our convention to southern Nevada where Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are growing rapidly,” said Monica Thammarath, APALA National President. “AAPI working people in Las Vegas and across the country are deeply engaged in organizing to expand and protect rights for workers, immigrants, students, voters, people of color, LGBTQ folks, people with disabilities, retirees and more. Whenever we join together, whether it is at a convention or on the picket line, we strengthen our power to bring positive change to our communities.” 
 
FEATURED EVENTS 
 
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8
7:00 PM        Welcome Reception with Governor Steve Sisolak and Grace Vergara, SEIU Local 1107 Executive Director
 
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9
8:30 AM       Welcome Remarks featuring William McCurdy II, Assemblyman for Nevada's 6th District
9:15 AM       Keynote speech featuring Tefere Gebre, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President and Congresswoman Dina Titus for Nevada’s 1st District
  
5:45 PM        Action with the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 to support casino workers bargaining for a fair contract at the Palms Casino Resort 
 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
7:00 PM        APALA Gala Awards Dinner featuring Sara Nelson, AFA-CWA International President
 
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
9:00 AM       Keynote speech featuring Jess Morales Rocketto, Political Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) and Executive Director of Care in Action
 
*Media interested in covering conference events must RSVP to michelle@apalanet.org*
 
###
 
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.

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:
    apala[at]apalanet.org

    For full list of all press releases and statements, please click here.

    ​

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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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