AFL-CIO Blog

  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Rena Zacarias Youngblood
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Rena Zacarias Youngblood For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Rena Zacarias Youngblood of AFGE. Rena Youngblood is a U.S. Air Force veteran and executive vice president of AFGE Local 3511. She works in Inpatient Behavioral Health-Nursing Services at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, where she represents more than 6,000 Veterans Administration (VA) workers. She was recognized as a top organizer through the AFGE National VA Council and received the Augusta Y. Thomas Civil Rights Award for organizing. Youngblood currently serves as the co-chair of AFGE A.P.O.W.E.R., the union’s Asian American constituency group, and is an active member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA). Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/30/2023 - 11:29 — May 30
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Aina Iglesias
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Aina Iglesias For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Aina Iglesias of the Office and Professional Employees  (OPEIU). Aina is a labor relations specialist with Hawaii Nurses' Association (OPEIU Local 50) and serves as OPEIU's representative on the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) board. "APALA gives a space to talk about issues that are important to AAPI members," she said. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/29/2023 - 11:29 — May 29
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Douglas K. Correia
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Douglas K. Correia For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Douglas K. Correia of AFSCME. Doug Correia, a proud member of United Public Workers in Hawaii, knows the meaning of solidarity. When UPW members went on strike this year, Correia was up early every day to help set up, serve food and stand with his co-workers. Whether taking care of his community or helping people understand their rights on the job, he is always there for his union family. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/26/2023 - 11:29 — May 26
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States.  Below are the profiles we've featured so far. Check back throughout May for more, Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/26/2023 - 10:25 — May 26
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Michelle Gutierrez-Vo
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Michelle Gutierrez-Vo For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Michelle Gutierrez-Vo of National Nurses United (NNU). Michelle Gutierrez-Vo, a registered nurse at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fremont, California, is a longtime RN leader, an inspiring mentor to Filipina and other AAPI nurses, and a member of the board of directors of the California Nurses Association, an affiliate of National Nurses United. She was also a member of the bargaining team that recently won a historic four-year contract for 21,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses in Northern California, including the creation of a new regional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/25/2023 - 11:29 — May 25