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The theme of the Convention was Generations United, Organizing for Change
Vancouver (17 August 2009) – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance’s (APALA) 10th Biennial Convention opened to the thunderous sounds of taiko drums.
Over 400 APALA, union members, student leaders and community allies participated in the four-day convention in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 9-12, 2009 which marked the first North American gathering of Asian Pacific American workers and students. The Convention highlighted solidarity campaigns by unions and organizations and their common struggle for social and economic justice.
Founded in 1992, APALA is the first and only national organization for Asian Pacific American union members.
Generations United, Organizing for Change, the theme for the convention, was applauded by the participating young workers and college students who spoke about the need for multi-generational leadership in the labour movement. The work to register, educate and mobilize Asian Pacific citizens for the 2008 American Presidential election was also discussed as well as the ongoing work on the Employee Free Choice Act, the DREAM Act, and Green Collar Jobs.
Lorene Oikawa, Vice-President of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) brought greetings from the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). Oikawa said, “What we share is our vision for a just and equitable society.” She noted that on both sides of the border, labour is fighting for human rights, worker rights, fair wages, benefits, and even health care is an important issue for both the US and Canada.
The convention concluded with the election of a new president, John Delloro, who spoke as did many of the delegates about the positive influence and support of APALA".
Delloro led the delegates in a chant that echoed throughout the convention hall. “We are APALA…Fighting for justice and a stronger movement.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE