WASHINGTON–The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) and the AFL-CIO, with over 20 national and local organizations, convened the First National Asian Pacific American Workers’ Rights Hearing on November 13, attended by distinguished panelists. Some 200 people came, representing a broad cross section of elected officials, labor leaders, community allies and academicians,

Remarked Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32) and panelist: “As a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, I am proud to stand with all workers who choose to form or join unions.” Panelists included AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and Jobs with Justice Executive Director Sarita Gupta.

“Contrary to misperceptions about Asian Pacific Americans, segments of this workforce still experience a litany of abuses in their jobs and worksites, including wage theft, union suppression and immigrant worker exploitation,” said John Delloro, APALA National President.

After the hearing, APALA will release a national report focusing on Asian Pacific American workers, in partnership with the University of Maryland’s Asian American Studies Department and the UCLA Labor Center. “This report will be the first national publication examining Asian Pacific American workers and the critical role that labor unions provide this workforce,” said Kent Wong, Director of the UCLA Labor Center and founding APALA National President.