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Press Releases

​APALA Celebrates Convention “Workers Rising Together”

8/10/2023

 
For Immediate Release
Contact: info@apala.org


​Seattle, WA - The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) celebrated its 17th Biennial Convention in Seattle, Washington. More than  400 delegates and guests from dozens of unions and community partners including international guests attended Convention, united under the theme “Workers Rising Together.”
 
Highlights included a solidarity action to support UNITE HERE Local 8 members at Embassy Suites as they fight for a fair contract as well as caucus spaces, workshops, and plenaries. The convention theme, “Workers Rising Together,” emphasized APALA’s work and vision to improve the lives of all workers and the importance of strengthening relationships with organized labor, building strong APALA chapters, and organizing the unorganized.
 
“In a time where workers are organizing in record numbers, communities of color and our LGBTQ+ siblings are still under attack – we must invest in AAPIs to strengthen our movement. I am honored to welcome Convention  for the first time in our organization’s history to Seattle, and we will especially visit the Chinatown-International District. Our community’s labor is often invisible so we must bring light to our issues,” said Eunice How, APALA Seattle President.
 
At Convention, Ligaya Domingo (SEIU 1199NW) was elected as the new APALA President. Steven Moy (IBEW) as 1st Vice President, Emily Reyes (AFT) as 2nd Vice President, Mikayla Vu (UAW) as Secretary, and Seung Lee (UFT-AFT) as Treasurer, were elected as officers as well.
 
More than a dozen international labor and peace activists from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia joined Convention, speaking on panels and leading workshops to uplift organizing fights by workers in Asia. “We thank APALA for their continuing support and solidarity in Okinawa's struggle to alleviate the burden of U.S. military bases and prevent their expansion. Okinawans, like APALA members, cherish peace. We urge the government to pursue dialogue, instead of relying on military strength,” said Katsuya Tamaki from the Okinawa Prefecture DC Office, in response to APALA passing a resolution in solidarity with Okinawa.
 
Keynote speakers included President of the Washington State Labor Council April Sims, U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, NEA President Becky Pringle, and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond. The celebration event was emceed by Parvesh Cheena (SAG-AFTRA) and honored Jason Chan, Tracy Lai, Asian Americans United (Wei Chen and Yvonne Lung), Empowering API (Justine Lim and all undocumented members), Ian Seruelo, and Leonard Hoshijo.
 
"I joined APALA earlier this year. The 17th biennial APALA convention was my first APALA convention, and what an awesome weekend it was! I met new union sisters, brothers and siblings from around the U.S. and internationally--Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka to name a few. I learned so much on the struggle and life threats our international union siblings are facing, and ways we need to fight for what workers deserve both at home and abroad!” said Anthony Green, Seattle Chapter and IBEW Local 46 member.

James Michael Agpalo, a member of APALA’s Young Leaders Council and Sacramento Chapter, currently interning at AFSCME, shared: “It was truly amazing to meet with people who both had the same values as me and who looked like me. The intergenerational, intersectional and international solidarity in the house of labor was an inspiration for me to bring back to my chapter and my union. We should use this experience in Seattle as an opportunity to take this back to our chapters and unions, I know I will.”

###

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.

Day 2 Highlights from APALA’s National Convention in Seattle, WA

8/6/2023

 
We had a powerful and inspiring second day of our 17th Biennial Convention. Delegates began the day with remarks from NEA President Becky Pringle and ended the day celebrating at our gala. We were reminded that our power comes from us joining together and we are most powerful when we organize with joy and love. Please continue to read more about our second day in Seattle. 

Welcoming Remarks: NEA President Becky Pringle
We began the day with a greeting from National Education Association President Becky Pringle.  As the leader of the 3 million member union, the largest in the nation, she is a fierce social advocate warrior and defender of educator rights. She reminded us that “as the ancestors of tomorrow you are molding a future that will allow all of our children to live into their brilliance.” We are grateful to the NEA for their longstanding partnership and support. 

Keynote Speaker: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
In the morning, delegates and guests heard from Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. As a lifelong organizer for immigrant, civil and human rights and the first South Asian American woman to get elected to the U.S. House of Repreentatives, she is an inspiring leader who understands the issues facing AANHPI workers. She recognized the role that APALA has played in electing more diverse, progressive and labor candidates, organizing AANHPI workers into unions, and winning strong contracts for our members. 

Our Rights Under Attack Across the Globe
Jessica Tang, APALA Treasurer and President of the Boston Teachers Union as well as  American Federation of Teachers Vice President, moderated a panel, “Our Rights Under Attack Across the Globe.” Speakers included Josua Mata (SENTRO), Osa Tui Jr. (HSTA), Sabrina Liu (USW), Peter Kuel (Drivers Union), Justine Lim (UCLA Labor Center), and Nadia Nisha Belkin (Asian American Power Network). The panelists highlighted the struggles that Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and immigrant workers are facing across the world and how APALA is organizing to ensure that AANHPI workers have a voice and power. 

Speakers addressed the attacks against labor leaders in the Philippines, organizing Uber/Lyft drivers who are predominately immigrant and workers of color, combatting anti-Asian hate facing our communities, fighting for immigration justice for undocumented and immigrant AAPI workers, increasing AANHPI civic engagement across the U.S., and standing up against the multiple attacks on educators and public education. We know that we must join together in this fight. When workers rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back! 

Solidarity with WGA and SAG-AFTRA 
APALA stands with our union siblings at Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA who are on strike to determine the future of their work. We ask that you follow and like WGA (@WGAEast and @WGAWest) and SAG-AFTRA (@SAGAFTRA ) social media accounts and posts to uplift and amplify their fight. 

“I’m moved by the support of APALA for SAG-AFTRA’s strike against the AMPTP. This ‘Hot Strike Summer’ we are having this year proves that workers across every industry are tired of our fair wages and earnings not mattering. We all can help and amplify each other's pickets and strikes. Today’s action for UNITE HERE was a great reminder of the power APALA can harness when all of us union siblings support each other,” said Parvesh Cheena, SAG-AFTRA representative on the APALA National Executive Board.  
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When We Fight, We Win! 
Mikayla Vu, UAW and APALA Second Vice President, moderated our panel, “When We Fight, We Win” which uplifted inspiring organizing victories from AANHPI workers. Speakers included Angel Sherbune (SEIU 1199NW), Eni Lestari (International Migrants Alliance), Relle Partido (Starbucks Workers United), Paula Isla-McGill (AFA-CWA Alaska Airlines), and Johanna Hester (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930 and Child Care Providers United). 
The speakers shared their stories of how they have organized and won, despite numerous challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic. It was inspiring to hear from these powerful labor leaders who are building AANHPI power and building the power of the labor movement. The workers united will never be defeated! 

Celebration Gala
Delegates and guests joined for a celebration gala to honor our APALA Convention Awardees. Acting Secretary of Labor and APALA member Julie Su provided a keynote address that celebrated the incredible work of APALA over the last 30 years. 


​We honored the following outstanding labor leaders and community allies: 
  • Art Takei Leadership Award: Jason Chan, IAM District 751 and APALA Seattle Chapter
  • Vincent Foo Organization Award: Asian Americans United
  • John Delloro Trailbrlazer Award: Empowering API
  • Philip Vera Cruze Lifetime Achievement Award: Tracy Lai, AFT and APALA Seattle Chapter
  • Tam Tran Freedom Fighter Award: Ian Sereulo, APALA San Diego Chapter
  • President’s Award: Leonard Hoshijo, ILWU Local 142 and Hawai’i Chapter 

Day 1 Highlgiht Revision
In an effort to uplift and practice APALA's Principles for Collective Liberation, specifically Racial Justice and Open Transparency, we have made edits to sections featuring WSLC President April Sims.

Please note that there were two errors in yesterday's Highlights report. Please see the revised version here. We apologize for the errors.

Thank you to our Sponsors! 
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors for their unwavering support and commitment to APALA’s mission and to making this convention possible!
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[REVISED] Day 1 Highlights from APALA’s National Convention in Seattle, WA

8/6/2023

 
Greetings from Seattle, Washington! We are overjoyed to share with you some of the highlights of the first day of our 17th Biennial Convention, under the theme “Workers Rising Together.” We are excited to join with APALA delegates and members here in Seattle. 
APALA is family. And the strength of a family lies in a unified vision of who we are and what we stand for. We are the voice for Asian American Pacific Islander union members. Our goal is a just and fair society where workers rights, civil rights, social justice rights, immigrant rights are protected and practiced by all. We will do this by organizing and building and strategizing together. Welcome to Seattle! 

Steven Moy
National President of APALA

Keynote Speaker
April Sims, Washington State Labor Council President, addressed delegates and guests. April is the first woman to be elected President of the WSLC and first Black woman ever elected to the presidency of an AFL-CIO state federation. Along with Secretary Treasurer Cherika Carter, they are the first leadership team of Black women ever to lead an AFL-CIO state federation. Her remarks were energizing and empowering and remind us what we at APALA stand for- working with all workers in the fight for racial and economic justice. April reminded us that we are creating a movement built on unwavering solidarity and radical acts of love where working people seeking justice can find a home in the labor movement. 

Opening Plenary Session
Our opening plenary session “Growing a Strong APALA,” uplifting the organizing our chapters are doing to build APALA, develop AAPI leaders, and strengthen the labor movement. The panel was moderated by Ligaya Domingo, APALA 1st Vice President and Seattle chapter member, we heard from inspiring AAPI leaders Kat General, Wei Chen, Eunice How and Qing Wei. 
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​Workshops
Delegates and guests attended two sessions of workshops today which ranged from learning about AAPI labor history to strategizing about political organizing in our APALA chapters and unions to prepare for the upcoming 2024’s presidential elections. Other workshops highlighted global issues facing Asian and AAPI workers and organizing campaigns to improve working conditions.

March with UNITE HERE Local 8 Hospitality Workers
Before delegates and guests headed over to Seattle’s International District, our second plenary session focused on Seattle’s rich AAPI and labor history and provided the context for today’s action. Speakers included Tracy Lai, Moon-Ho Jung, Kent Wong, Richard Gurtiza and Liza Cruz. 

Convention delegates and guests marched from Embassy Suites in Pioneer Square to the Hing Hay Park in the historic International District to support Embassy Suite hotel workers demanding a fair contract. Seattle’s tourism and visitor economy is booming and workers need a raise to keep up with the rising cost of living in Seattle. This fight comes alongside hotel workers asking elected leaders in Seattle to support the Living Hotels ordinance. You can learn more about the Living Hotels ordinance at greenhotelsforseattle.org.
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Thank you to our Sponsors! 
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors for their unwavering support and commitment to APALA’s mission and to making this convention possible! ​
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    For Immediate Release

    Contact:
    info[at]apala.org

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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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