Today is International Workers' Day. It’s also the 33rd founding anniversary of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, making it the perfect moment to spotlight this one-of-a-kind organization.
APALA didn't emerge in a vacuum. The organization's own history acknowledges a long legacy of both contribution and exclusion: AANHPI workers helped build this country, from Filipino labor organizer Philip Vera Cruz, instrumental in founding the United Farm Workers, to Katie Quan and May Chen, who led the Chinese Garment Workers strike of 1982. Yet despite these contributions, AANHPI workers faced legalized barriers to joining the labor movement for generations. It was against that backdrop that AANHPI labor activists approached the AFL-CIO in 1990 with a proposal for a national organization. On May 1, 1992, over 500 AANHPI labor activists gathered in Washington, D.C. to make it real.
Today, APALA is the voice of nearly 800,000 AANHPI union members across more than 22 chapters nationwide. Their work spans several interconnected areas. The Organizing Institute is a three-day training that builds power for AANHPI union organizers, researchers, and leaders within the broader labor movement. The Young Leaders Council brings together worker representatives under 35 from across the country, educating the next generation about the labor movement and how to drive change in their communities. Beyond union building, APALA advocates on immigration reform, anti-Asian racism, voter registration, and civil rights, serving as a critical bridge between the labor movement and AANHPI communities.
Today would be a great day to show your support for APALA and here are some ways to do just that. Become a member, make a donation, shop for merch or amplify their message on social media. Follow APALA on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and share their stories of solidarity and worker power with your network.
Happy International Workers' Day!
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