Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Renee Hamel

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 Renee Hamel of AFSCME.

Renee Hamel is an Indonesian-American labor activist who serves as associate director of communications for AFSCME Council 4, representing 30,000 workers in Connecticut. Prior to Council 4, she worked with the Western Connecticut Area Labor Federation. Hamel is passionate about helping members, by uplifting our voices and telling our stories so we can advocate for better pay, retirement security, health care and working conditions. She also serves as vice chair of the board of directors for the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, which brings labor, environmental and social justice groups together to combat climate change, create jobs, and promote racial, economic and environmental justice.