Workers at Leading AAPI Advocacy Organization Win Voluntary Recognition

Just days after announcing their organizing drive, workers at Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) advocacy organization Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) have succeeded in gaining voluntary recognition of their union, CACF Workers United (CACF WU).

CACF supports over 90 member organizations, and their mission is “to advocate for equity and opportunity for marginalized AAPI children and families.” This May, they helped lead the securing of $30 million in New York State funding for AAPI communities. At the organization, most of the employees are AAPI-identifiying. In their petition, CACF WU stated a desire “to ensure that the things we practice and preach externally reflect what we practice and preach internally.”

"Advocacy is not done in isolation or removed from the workplace and unionizing is a parallel to the campaigns and projects we currently do," said Nikita Boyce, a CACF employee since October 2024. "We hope that in unionizing we gain the same dignity and respect in the workplace that is honored with our members.”

The bargaining unit will include approximately 14 employees. Their organizing campaign represents a further expansion of union drives taking place across non-profit organizations, where burnout, low pay, workplace discrimination, and toxic culture are often cited as workplace complaints. Unionization efforts by CACF WU are led in collaboration with Workers United NY/NJ (WU NY/NJ). Read more here!