Matt Finucane
Matt Finucane '
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
On April 26, 2012, at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C., Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance members and supporters celebrated the group’s 20 years of addressing the workplace affecting the 660,000 APA union members and as the bridge between the broader labor movement and the APA community.
The 20th anniversary ceremonies also honored AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and the group’s first director Matt Finucane for their important roles in APALA’s founding and growth.
McEntee was the leading voice on the AFL-CIO Executive Committee for establishing APALA, and Arlene Holt Baker said he “fought for nuts-and-bolts support of APALA’s first programs, and he mentored the fledgling organization’s first leaders.”
Chu, the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus—and a longtime activist in her union, AFT—was elected to Congress in 2009. She is a strong supporter of APALA and its work, said APALA leader Gregory Cendana.
Finucane, now NEA’s senior liaison to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, was instrumental in building APALA’s organizing, political and advocacy programs.[1]
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance board
Matt Finucane is second vice president of the board of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance[2].