APALA Convenes First New York Area Asian Pacific American Workers' Rights Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Malcolm Amado Uno

Phone: 202-508-3733

Email: muno@apalanet.org

Washington D.C. - The APALA New York Chapter convened the first New York Area Asian Pacific American Workers' Rights Hearing on Saturday, June 5, 2010.  As part of a national campaign, the New York area hearing convened policymakers, scholars, and workers to address working conditions and the right to organize for APA workers.  Additionally the hearing debuted APALA's new report, Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence.

"Asian Pacific American workers are an integral part of New York City and we are proud to convene the first citywide hearing dedicated to this segment of the workforce," said Lenny Moy, APALA New York Chapter President.  "Our hope is that these hearings serve to build local capacity to support workers' rights and strengthen worker voices."

Nine Asian Pacific American workers provided testimony focused on the right to organize, labor and community partnerships and the union advantage to over 150 labor leaders, community activists, academicians and government officials.  Workers spoke about abusive working conditions, wage violations, health and safety concerns and the role of unions to advocate on behalf of workers.

"APALA should be applauded for their successful efforts to build stronger bridges linking the labor movement with Asian Pacific American workers," said Terrence L. Melvin, Secretary-Treasurer of the New York State AFL-CIO.  "We also recommit to actively engage all workers to ensure that the labor movement is inclusive and representative of our diverse workforce."

"APALA has been a growing force within the national labor movement in protecting workers' rights to organize and advocating for the expansion of livable wages and benefits, dignity on the job and a voice in the workplace," said John Liu, New York City Comptroller. 

Hearing panelists included the following: New York City Comptroller John Liu, New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardener, State Director for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Peter Hatch, New York State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Terrence Melvin, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO Political Director Sharada Polavarapu, Professor Tarry Hum, AFSCME DC 37 Treasurer Maf Uddin, SEIU 1199 Secretary-Treasurer Maria Castaneda and IBEW 3 Treasurer Michael Yee.

Co-Sponsoring organizations included: The Joseph S. Murphy Institute, CUNY, the Asian/Asian American Research Institute, CUNY, New York State AFL-CIO, Local 1199 SEIU, Local 3 IBEW, Workers United/SEIU, New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, Local 6 UNITE HERE, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, United Federation of Teachers, Local 1407 and Local 375 DC 37 AFSCME, International Union of Operating Engineers and UAW 2121.

###

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO was founded in 1992 as the first and only national organization for Asian Pacific American union members to advance worker, immigrant and civil rights.