Work has changed dramatically in the twenty-first century. The rise of globalization reduced manufacturing jobs in the US as multinational companies seeking a low-wage workforce outsourced jobs to other countries. Labor unions and workers organized to create middle-class jobs with union benefits, but those jobs became less available. New jobs emerged with unfamiliar names for which traditional education did not prepare.

The “gig economy” provided short-term contracts and freelance jobs. While such work promised flexibility, workers were not provided with long-term stability such as health care and retirement benefits. Work also changed dramatically at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, especially as schools moved online and other occupations went remote. Unions lost members and worksites. As businesses and workplaces reopened, the underlying issues of labor exploitation and anti-union legislation and policies remained.

This module explores the contemporary work landscape within the global structures of capitalism. It provides a brief overview of Asian American national organizing efforts and organizations, and a case study of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) including its history, accomplishments, and future goals. The module forwards the discussion by highlighting key challenges for building worker power in the global context.