May 30, 2025
The Alliance Celebrates Contributions of AAPI Workers This May
This month, the Alliance joined the AFL-CIO in marking Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, honoring the AAPI workers who have championed labor
rights throughout history.
There are nearly 800,000 AAPI union members in the country, and leaders such as Philip Vera Cruz, Gene Viernes, and Silme Domingo were critical in forming organizations like the United Farm Workers Union and the Alaska Cannery Worker’s Association. In 1992, more than 500 AAPI labor advocates gathered to found the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA). APALA is the first and only national organization of AAPI workers and has been doing essential work in advocating for marginalized communities’ rights since its formation.
“AAPI communities have played a vital role in advancing not just labor rights, but rights across the board for vulnerable groups,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “We
are proud to support APALA and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”
This was originally published in the May 30, 2025 edition of the Friday Alert. Read the full length version and see other Friday Alert editions here.
