Labor & Employment Law

Asian Pacific American Groups Announce Support for Public Employees

By admin

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), representing a wide range of Asian Pacific American communities, pledged support for public employees in a historic and unified gesture of solidarity. The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), a constituency group of the AFL-CIO, is one of the 29 member organizations of the coalition and currently sits on the Executive Committee.

Recently, politicians in several states have sought to undermine the long-held right of public employees to form unions and to bargain collectively. Said Gregory Cendana, APALA executive director and NCAPA secretary:

Supporting public employee unions will help Asian Pacific Americans achieve the American Dream by allowing us to continue fighting for a voice in the workplace. Asian Pacific American workers are struggling to keep up in today?s economy, and unions are the front line of defending APA workers, who are often immigrants. Eliminating collective bargaining rights would weaken workers? ability to provide for their families, address issues of dangerous workplaces, discrimination, pay, benefits and dignity on the job.

George Wu, executive director of OCA and chair of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, adds:

OCA understands that the hopes and aspirations of Asian Pacific American workers is tied to labor protections and the right to bargain collectively. We express our support for the millions of workers, parents and students who are fighting to keep their workplace freedoms and the right to negotiate for their well-being.

Part of the statement reads:

APA families face unprecedented challenges and should have the right to form unions to seek economic security and protection against unfair employment practices. Students face rising tuition costs and homeowners find themselves less able to maintain a roof over their heads. Asian Pacific Americans who are unemployed remain out of work for longer periods than other Americans and face greater language barriers to employment. Collective bargaining helped create our middle class and they level the playing field for workers and employers.

 National Council on Asian Pacific Americans call on our elected leadership to put aside political posturing, uphold workers? rights and work together to create a jobs and economic recovery plan for the future.

Inspired by the workers in Wisconsin who aim to preserve middle-class jobs and vital services for their communities, APALA members and community allies have participated in solidarity actions in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Detroit, Oakland, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Chicago, San Francisco, Sacramento and in Wisconsin itself.

Find NCAPA?s full statement “APA Community Stands with Workers Across the Country” and the list of NCAPA members here.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on March 08, 2011 (boomark / email).