Labor & Employment Law

APALA Mobilizing Asian Americans for Organizing and Political Action

By James Parks

About a dozen workers testified before the first national workers? rights hearing for Asian Pacific American workers last November.

One of the fastest growing segments of the union movement, Asian Pacific Americans, are mobilizing to make their voices heard in politics and in the workplace. With the crucial midterm elections just four months away, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) is urging workers and their communities to take action and make a difference in the upcoming elections. The Asian Pacific American vote could be especially decisive in Nevada where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is in a tough bid for re-election.

Late last month, several Asian Pacific American leaders visited Las Vegas seeking to mobilize local residents in political action. They also urged Asian Americans to register and vote during elections.

As Amado Uno, executive director of APALA, said:

The perception of many is that Asians are docile, quiet, and that they do not fight back. But what we know is we have community leaders who are far from silent. We want to push this out into the field.

Participation in the political process should not stop at the ballot box, Gloria Caoile, former director of APALA, added:

[Elected officials] need to understand our presence and listen. We need to demand that the folks we help get elected addresses the issues that affect us. We should work towards a collective voice in the political empowerment in this community.

In 2008, APALA helped get out the vote among Asian Pacific Americans in swing states across the country through its Every Vote Counts program, which included voter education, registration, mobilization and election protection.

“An investment in the Asian Pacific American community represents a long-term vision that yields short-term benefits,” Uno said in 2008.

The results of this election prove that APA voters will turn out to vote, if they are engaged.

One key concern on the minds of the Asian American voters is the need for good jobs with benefits, which most often come through joining a union. Last month, APALA?s New York City chapter convened the first New York Area Asian Pacific American Workers’ Rights Hearing. Nine Asian Pacific American workers testified about the struggles they face when they try to form a union. Workers told a crowd of 200 about abusive working conditions, wage violations, health and safety concerns and the role of unions to advocate on behalf of workers.

At the hearing, APALA, in partnership with the UCLA Labor Center, released a new report, ?Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence,? which profiles the workers who testified at the first national Asian Pacific American Workers Rights hearing at AFL-CIO headquarters last November.

“This ground breaking report is the first national publication focused on Asian Pacific American workers? rights,” said Luisa Blue, APALA?s first vice president. 

Contrary to the model minority myth, Asian Pacific American workers continue to face exploitation and abuse in the workplace.

For example, Ricky Lau, a Taiwanese immigrant living in the Bay Area, testified that employees of NBC Contractors were forced to fill out two time cards. ?We would not get paid unless we signed the fake time card, the one with lesser hours,?  he said.

The report also identifies specific recommendations presented by labor scholars and labor leaders to strengthen workers’ rights.  

In addition, APALA is joining with the AFL-CIO and the Orange County Labor Federation to host the APALA Women’s Organizing Institute Aug. 6?8, 2010, in Orange, Calif. Asian Pacific American women comprise half of all Asian Pacific American union members. However, there are very few opportunities for Asian Pacific Americans, especially women, to become union organizers.

The intensive training program used for the Institute has been the most effective in training the next generation of Asian Pacific American union organizers. Participants learn from some of the most seasoned Asian Pacific American women union leaders from around the country. The training is unique because it creates a support system for Asian Pacific American union members, workers and college students, and provides participants with the tools to become more effective organizers.

 To apply for the APALA Women’s Organizing Institute, or for more information, click here. But hurry, the application deadline is July 12. Some scholarships will be available based on financial need.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on July 10, 2010 (boomark / email).