AFSCME District Council 36 mourns the passing of Kent Wong

AFSCME District Council 36 mourns the passing of Kent Wong.

Wong was a fierce defender of workers’ rights. Wong led the UCLA Labor Center for over 30 years and served as the center’s project director for labor and community partnerships. He was a longtime advocate for social & economic justice and humane working conditions.

He taught courses in labor studies and Asian American studies at UCLA. Additionally, he co-taught a class on nonviolence and social movements with Rev. James Lawson Jr. for more than two decades, and they co-authored two books.

He was also the founding president of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance and the United Association for Labor Education. He previously served as staff attorney for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend Kent Wong,” says Executive Director Matthew Maldonado. “He represented the absolute best in teaching and leading nonviolent activism and advocating for marginalized communities. His legacy will continue through the students he taught and communities he led.”