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In the fall of 1975, I was attending Macomb County Community College and taking a Political Science class taught by Marvin Surowitz, kinda. Our assignment was that every student was responsible for bringing in two guest speakers during the semester, so Mr. Surowitz rarely had to lecture, but the upside was that we had some incredible speakers that semester! One such speaker was a young, hippie-looking dude who was an organizer for the United Farm Workers. He spoke so passionately about Cesar Chavez and the grape and lettuce boycotts. He also talked about the work Cesar and the UFW were doing around child labor laws. This was so interesting because in Michigan, when my family would go on our Sunday drives, it wouldn’t take more than 20 minutes from Detroit to be in farm country. But we never saw migrant workers or their kids in the fields. It wasn’t really in our consciousness—out of sight, out of mind! The young organizer would get most of us signed up for the UFW newsletter before he left, and we were on to the next speaker.

As we celebrate today, March 31st, the birthday of the legendary Civil Rights and Labor leader, Cesar Chavez, I’m reminded of all of the historic achievements and the work he did alongside Dolores Huerta, Fred Ross Sr., Larry Itliong, and many others for our farmworkers. The fasts, the marches, the strikes, the sacrifices he made in his lifetime—I am reminded of the commitment he had to bring justice to farmworkers so they did not have to have their children working with them in the fields. So they could go to school, lead more normal lives, and have lives and dreams of their own.

As we celebrate his achievements and his legacy, it is paramount that we carry on the work that Cesar set out to accomplish. That his work is not done and that his dream has not been realized. I am reminded that 25% of the fruits and vegetables on our dinner tables today are still picked by children, some as young as 6 years old. That over 800,000 kids are working in the fields for up to 30 hours a week, and many of the kids working are doing so within the laws of this country.

The fact that we have regressed on labor laws in this country is not a reflection of Cesar Chavez. It is a reminder that politics is not a spectator sport, that elections matter, and that corporate greed is a constant that continues to grow and get worse. At the expense of children, students, families, seniors, our health system, and houselessness. With child labor being abused across the country in factories, packing plants, food processors, and many other industries, it tells us we cannot let Cesar’s sacrifices be in vain. That we must pick up the mantle to continue the work.

"History will judge societies and governments—and their institutions—not by how big they are or how well they serve the rich and the powerful, but by how effectively they respond to the needs of the poor and the helpless." - Cesar Chavez

Happy Birthday, Cesar!

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Student workers make up a large portion of the researchers, graders, housing staff, and instructors across all public university campuses in Arizona. We make the daily functioning of our universities possible. It is unacceptable that, as employees, students at the three public universities of Arizona are being charged between $300 and $1,000 per semester (up to three in one year) in student fees. Employees should not be required to pay to work!

Day of Action Volunteers Needed!

Monday April 24th, 2023, Arizona AFL-CIO will be hosting it's Day of Action at the Capitol and are looking for volunteers during and leading up to the event.

2023 Strategic Corporate Research Summer School 

Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations and the AFL-CIO are teaming up to offer a program that provides an opportunity for students, union staff, and those interested in being part of social change organizations to learn how to research and hold corporations accountable. Through hands-on activities, participants will gain knowledge on topics such as corporate ownership, finance, organization, and power. By the end of the course, they should be equipped with the skills and knowledge to begin and advance in career paths such as strategic research and strategic campaigns, as well as understand corporate ownership structures and sources of corporate power.

Union Scholars Program - Paid Internship!

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees is partnering with Harvard University's Labor and Worklife Program to offer the Union Scholars Program, an eight-week summer internship for students of color. Through this program, you will have the chance to gain hands-on organizing experience with AFSCME members and travel while building your resume. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!

UNITEHERE Local 11 & HTA Hospitality Training Academy Prep Cook Class

The first class launching in Arizona on April 10th. This program invites interested candidates to reach out or stop by UNITE HERE Local 11 Union Hall at 1021 S. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85007 for more information. 

The Hospitality Training Academy Prep Cook Class is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to receive comprehensive kitchen training and guaranteed placement in the food service/hospitality industry. Taught by highly skilled chefs, no prior experience is required, just a passion for learning a new skill. 

For any questions, please contact Marilyn Wilbur at (480) 203-3467.

IUOE Local 428 Blood Drive in Memory of Chrissy Ochoa

International Union of Operating Engineers is hosting a Blood drive in memory of Christine Marie Ochoa who lost her fight to lung cancer on June 4th, 2022. Please consider to donate blood by visiting their Union Hall on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

To schedule an appointment, click on the button below and enter Sponsor Code: local428.

Alert: Protect Working People! Pass the PRO Act!

We join Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Reps. Bobby Scott (Va.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) in their call to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Work stoppages were up 52% in 2022, and the number of workers involved in stoppages increased 60%.

If we want to build up worker power, our outdated labor laws must keep up with the times. 

This is why now is the time to pass the PRO Act, just reintroduced in the House & Senate as the Richard L. Trumka PRO Act.

*Download the Zoom Banner below to share your support*

Request to Speak at Legislative Committee Meetings

Sign up and 'Request to Speak' to weigh in on bills directly with State Representatives and Senators during our Legislative Committee Meetings every Friday at 9:30 AM!

2023 Legislative Committee Meeting Alerts

Complete this form to be up on a list to get updates and alerts on the 2023 Legislative Session.

For additional questions, contact our Political Director; Joe Murphy at [email protected] 

National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

The 31st Annual Food Drive is Saturday, May 13, 2023!

Last year NALC members and volunteers collected over 41.2 million pounds of food. Customers will receive a Food Drive Flyer reminder the week prior and a bag to fill to put in your mailbox for pickup.

Union Events and Action

We want to uplift what you are doing for our members and our community!

Please fill out all the required information to have your Local's event uploaded to our Arizona AFL-CIO website or featured in our next Labor Dispatch. If you have any questions please reach out to Alina Cordoba, Communications & Operations Director at [email protected].

Attempt to Lower Youth Wages Failed- Thanks to Us 

In January, Republican Delegate Daniel W. Marshall introduced a bill that would have drastically lowered the minimum wage for Virginians under the age of 18. That same bill was later defeated after getting called out by young Virginians.

In the States Roundup - AFL-CIO

"It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on Twitter."

A Utah Soda & Dessert Shop Violated Federal Child Labor Laws

“Four locations of the Utah-based Sodalicious chain — in Midvale, Orem, Provo and South Jordan — were cited for employing 19 teens for more working hours than federal law permits, the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division announced in a news release issued Wednesday."

Chipotle Agrees to Pay $240K to Employees 

"The fast casual food chain agreed to issue $240,000 in back pay to 24 employees who worked at the Augusta location "as part of a settlement for illegally closing the restaurant in the middle of a union organizing drive" in July, according to the Maine AFL-CIO."

United Airlines Reaches Tentative Labor Agreement with Ground Workers Union

"United Airlines has reached tentative agreements with a union representing nearly 30,000 ground workers, the labor group said Wednesday. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said the two-year tentative agreements cover “industry-best” wage rates, as well as job protection and certain guards against outsourcing roles. The specific terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The deal comes while United is in talks with labor unions representing its pilots and flight attendants. Pilots last year rejected a preliminary agreement, and negotiations have since resumed."

In Clash with Bernie Sanders, Starbucks' Howard Schultz Insists He's No Union Buster 

“It could be a hearing for the history books: Billionaire Howard Schultz, the resolutely anti-union architect of Starbucks, gets questioned by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the outspoken mascot of the union movement in Congress. Schultz was once a prominent Democrat hailed as a progressive corporate pioneer of better pay and benefits for service industry workers. On Wednesday, he will testify on allegations that Starbucks has been breaking labor laws as it fights its employees' nationwide unionization push. Schultz, fresh off his third stint as Starbucks CEO, is expected to deny any wrongdoing. But Sanders, a fixture at union rallies and town halls, will likely cite dozens of complaints against Starbucks filed both by workers and by federal labor officials since the first U.S. cafe unionized in late 2021.”

Apple Illegally Fired Five Labor Activists, Union Says

"Apple fired five union organizers in Kansas City, Mo., in retaliation for union activity, the Communications Workers of America alleged in charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday."

DOL, Health & Human Services Announce Additional Steps to Tackle Child Labor Violations, Strengthen Coordination

"The department’s Wage and Hour Division and the Health and Human Services Department’s Administration for Children and Families signed the agreement to formalize a partnership between the agencies, and outline procedures the agencies will follow as they work together to deepen information-sharing, coordination, training and education. The MOA seeks to maximize the division’s enforcement of the child labor protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act, to enhance the ability to protect children from exploitation and to connect individuals to needed benefits and services. The MOA include unprecedented steps for greater collaboration between the two agencies to prevent and address illegal child labor."

Phoenix Passes Prevailing Wage

“Phoenix council narrowly passes prevailing wage rule for city construction workers. A progressive minority on the Phoenix City Council joined forces with the most right-leaning member to pass an ordinance that will raise the pay for workers on city-funded construction projects."

$2.2 Billion Education Budget Proposal for Arizona Teachers

“It's the largest proposal the Arizona's teacher's union has ever brought to the table.  The Arizona Education Association unveiled its 2023 Educators' Budget, which asks lawmakers to invest $2.2 billion into teachers' salaries, school repairs, and more."

Arizona Governor Hobbs Vetoes the Ban on Sales Tax for Food

“In a letter sent to the Legislature, Hobbs said she believed the bill wouldn’t eliminate costs onto consumers and instead shift the responsibility to the state."

First Complex to Use Affordable Housing Tax Credit Breaks Ground in Glendale

AARA Women in Organized Labor - March 24th

In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrated labor leaders who are making history. We heard the stories of three women who gained leadership positions through hard work, determination, and dedication in the labor movement:

• Marisol Garcia, President, Arizona Education Association
• Yolanda Bejarano, Legislative/Coalition Director, Communications Workers of America
• Artie Blanco, National Campaigns Director, AFL-CIO

Thank you for reading the Arizona Labor Dispatch! Can you help us grow our readership by sharing our sign-up form?

If you'd like to promote an event for your union in our weekly newsletter, fill out our submission form or email AZ AFL-CIO  Communications & Operations Director Alina Cordoba at [email protected]