Miranda Xiong is currently a WILL Empower apprentice, organizing with the Charleston Alliance for Fair Employment (CAFE). CAFE is a workers’ center which provides community support for labor in South Carolina. Xiong emphasizes how workers can take collective action with or without unions and how CAFE functions as a vehicle for unionization.

Xiong’s first exposure to labor justice was as an undergraduate student at Georgetown University taking part in the Alternative Breaks Program (ABP). While engaging with the textile industry in North Carolina with the ABP, she learned of the industry’s history of labor rights violations, and of workers’ uprising and rebellions demanding better conditions. Xiong then became a founding member of Georgetown University’s Resident Assistant Coalition (GRAC), and facilitated the union drive.

Xiong’s personal mission is to bring people together, a key part of her work with CAFE. North and South Carolina have among the lowest union density in the country and Xiong emphasizes the importance of investing in and organizing the South. Day to day, Xiong works to mobilize community members to support workers, organize unorganized workers, and build interunion solidarity. Recently, Xiong took part in facilitating a solidarity grief circle with CAFE to honor Alex Pretti, the nurse and federal worker who was shot and killed by federal agents. The event brought together local health care workers and community members.

Xiong finds her work with CAFE and WILL Empower to reaffirm the importance of local work. South Carolina has a long history of racism, corporate exploitation, and union busting that has led to misinformation about unions and a refusal to engage with unions amongst the community. But current federal politics has led to previously apolitical people mobilizing. She says that now is a prime period for mobilization, but that efforts must continue afterward in order to “continue to build up people and develop them into worker leaders that can transform their workplaces and organize their fellow coworkers.” Xiong emphasizes utilizing unions as a tool for building democracy. 

But unions aren’t perfect, Xiong says, and the fight doesn’t stop once a union is established. She discusses how unions are supposed to be a democratic worker organization— not another boss, and there is sometimes a disconnect between union leadership and rank-and-file union members. Xiong brings up Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) and their work to fight corruption and keep union officials accountable.

Labor justice takes time and consistency. Xiong is grateful for the daily exposure to different strategies to mobilize workers. She loves her job and the community building opportunities it provides. She emphasizes the flexibility, the constant on-the-job learning, and the support from those with similar beliefs who work with and around her. Xiong is committed long term to the fight for labor justice and encourages everyone to “definitely apply for WILL Empower!” 

Applications are now open for the 2026 class of WILL Empower apprentices, and the deadline for applications is April 10th. We encourage you to apply and look forward to reviewing your application.

By Kanmani Duraikkannan, Kalmanovitz Initiative and WILL Empower Intern

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