The Seattle chapter of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA Seattle) will host an Asian Pacific American Workers’ Rights Hearing. APALA will unveil groundbreaking testimony on shared barriers that Asian Americans face in forming unions and workers will testify on the right to organize and highlight current union organizing campaigns. The hearing is part of a series of hearings nationwide that resulted in increased collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board.
May Che from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Port of Seattle Commissioner Rob Holland, University of Washington Professor Moon-Ho Jung, and Dean Ikeda from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are amongst the distinguished panel of elected officials, scholars and labor leaders who will address concerns specific to the APA community such as immigrant worker exploitation, and union activism and organizing.
Caroline Fan, Associate Director of APALA, stated, “APALA fights for the rights of all workers. Especially in these troubled economic times, when employers feel the pinch and might be tempted to shortchange employees, it’s even more important that we ensure that APAs are treated fairly in the workplace.”
Speaking about the importance of educating communities and challenges of the current economy, UAW Local 4121 member Jean Dinh said, “Education is a means to a better life. It is also the future of this state and this nation. By disinvesting in education, we are throwing away a future for ourselves and our children.”
Who:
May Che, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Lynne Dodson, Washington State Labor Council
Rob Holland, Port of Seattle Commissioner
Patty Rose, Pierce County Central Labor Council
Jessica Bonebright, Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council
Moon-Ho Jung, University of Washington Department of History
Caroline Fan, Associate Director of APALA
Asian American and Pacific Islander Workers
What:
First Seattle Asian Pacific American Workers’ Rights Hearing
When:
Saturday, November 19, 2011, 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Where:
Asian Counseling & Referral Service Gym, 3639 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way South
For more info, contact Tori Miyagi at tmiyagi@apalanet.org
