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 Emily Reyes of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Emily Reyes is an elementary school teacher and leader with the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), AFT Local 1021. She serves as UTLA's vice chair at her school. She is also an active member on the UTLA West Area steering committee and served on the Political Action Council for Educators (PACE). Reyes began serving a two-year term on the California Teachers Association (CTA) state council. In addition, she represents Local 1021 on the APALA National Executive Board and as her local chapter’s executive vice president.

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Oregon AFSCME submitted union authorization cards signed by more than half of the over 2,000 research workers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) on April 26. Under the state law, once Oregon Employment Relations Board verifies the cards, OHSU will be required to recognize Oregon AFSCME as the workers’ bargaining representative. The unit includes workers who conduct lab experiments, order equipment, file paperwork and care for animals used in studies. It will not cover faculty members who apply for grants and lead research. 

Tags: Organizing