History

The role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders play in the labor history is extremely diverse.  From labor heroes like Philip Vera Cruz, a Filipino labor organizer instrumental in the formation of the United Farm Workers Union, and Gene Viernes and Silme Domingo, who co-founded the Alaska Cannery Worker’s Association, these organizers demonstrated the great importance of building an AAPI labor alliance. Emerging from a history of legalized exclusion -- from barriers to enter the U.S. to restrictions from participating in acts like owning land --  AAPIs are moving towards an era where AAPI laborers unite.

In 1990, AAPI labor activists approached the AFL-CIO with a historic proposal to form a national Asian American and Pacific Islander labor group. A year later, the AFL-CIO Executive Council established a committee to explore the formation of a national AAPI labor group.  The Steering Committee that was formed from this proposal included the three regional AAPI labor groups, representatives from the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and representatives from the seven founding unions. In 1992, over 500 AAPI labor activists from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for the founding convention of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO. 

APALA is dedicated to promoting political education and voter registration programs among AAPIs, and to the training, empowerment, and leadership of AAPIs within the labor movement and APA community. Furthermore, APALA works to defend and advocate for the civil and human rights of AAPIs, immigrants and all people of color, and continues to develop ties within international labor organizations, especially in the Asia-Pacific Rim.

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To check out our official constitution, please click here.