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This week's Labor Dispatch was written by Rasean Clayton, our Maricopa County Organizing Specialist. Rasean is a Navy Veteran and President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, Phoenix Chapter. As a long-time union member, he once served as the Vice President of  CWA Local 7050 and was a member of the District and National Civil Rights and Equity Committee for the Communications Workers of America.

As we celebrate the LGBTQ community during Pride Month, we must also commemorate the contributions made by LGBTQ people in the labor movement. I think of an unsung hero, Bayard Rustin. Bayard was one of the most important figures in the African American struggle for civil rights and freedom. He organized the march on Washington and translated to Dr. King the philosophy of non-violence into direct action. But a lot of people don't know his name, largely because he was a gay man. Bayard was open about being gay and believed in being his authentic self and living his truth. Born on May 17, 1912, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Bayard held many odd jobs and traveled until he attended City College in New York. Rustin was an adversary of racial segregation and a firm believer in pacifist agitation. He worked for the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a nondenominational religious organization. In 1941, Bayard organized the New York branch reformist group Congress on Racial Equality. Bayard conscientiously reduced his public role. He didn't want his sexual orientation to be a distraction from the movement. He was often targeted for being a member of the LGBTQ community and served 50 days in a California jail for being openly gay. Because during that time, being gay was essentially illegal under the moral law. It wouldn't be until 1962 that the law was overturned by the state of Illinois. After he was released, he became an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King. He was the chief architect of the March on Washington. From 1966 to 1979, he was the President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. In 1980, Bayard came out as gay, dedicated the remainder of his life to fighting for gay rights, and was instrumental in raising awareness about the AIDS crisis. On August 24, 1987, Bayard Rustin passed away. In 2013, fifty years after the March on Washington, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Praising Rustin’s true march towards equality, no matter who we are or who we love.

"We need in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers."

-Bayard Rustin

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Happy Pride Month: What Does Your Union Mean to You?

The labor movement is intersectional. This means we fight for all working people—no matter the gender, race, ethnicity or any other identity. Those identities intersect with your own identity as a worker, as a parent, as a sibling. LGBTQ+ workers face retaliation and fear getting fired for standing with their co-workers. It’s hard for workers to see the very same corporations that celebrate pride turn around and hire anti-union-busting consultants and deny their workers the promise of a union contract.

That’s why, this Pride Month, the AFL-CIO wants you to share what your union means to you.

2023 MALF Andy Ward Scholarship Packet AVAILABLE NOW!

Since 2002, the Maricopa Area Labor Federation has awarded the Andy Ward Scholarship to three applicants who are union members or the dependents of union members to help with the educational or vocational expenses.The awards this year will be in the amount of $2,000, $1,000, and $500, to applicants.

The essay, cover sheet, and application are due by close of business on July 5th, 2023. Please send them to the MALF Education Committee Chair, AFT Arizona President Ralph Quintana, at [email protected].

Enhance Your Labor Leadership Skills at the Grace Carroll Rocky Mountain Labor School

This program is recognized as the premier training platform for labor leadership development in the Western United States. The curriculum is comprehensive and dynamic, designed to help you develop essential skills and knowledge to become a stronger, more informed activist in your workplace. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with labor leaders from diverse unions, locals, and states to share experiences and build on successful strategies. This enlightening experience delivers exceptional value, and we encourage you to register today for this unparalleled opportunity to enhance your leadership skills.

Where: Montana Tech University in Butte, Montana

When: Sunday, July 9th through Friday, July 14th, 2023

Join the Arizona AFL-CIO Labor Book Club

Our goal is to explore the history, impact, and ongoing struggle of the labor movement. This is an open community event, inviting union members, potential members, and anyone interested in the labor movement to come together and discuss books that highlight the lives of workers and the many facets of unionized labor.

Don't miss out on the fun; we hope to see you there, and be sure to spread the word!

Julie Su Needs Your Help!

We know Su is the right person to support America’s workers. She’s never backed down from a fight when workers’ fundamental rights are on the line—and with your help, we’re not backing down either.

The problem? Well-heeled lobbyists and corporate special interests are spending big to block Su's confirmation because they know she puts working people first. Workers deserve a labor secretary who will fiercely defend us. 

Call your senators now and tell them to vote to confirm Julie Su as secretary of the Department of Labor. 

Join Unemployed Workers United to Empower Tenants!

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] 

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].

Recognizing the Activists Who Made Sex Wok a Labor Rights Issue 

"International Whores Day on June 2, also known as International Sex Workers’ Rights Day, celebrates a sex worker revolution. In Lyon, France, in 1975, over 100 sex workers seized control of a church and protested poor working conditions, police harassment, and overall stigmatizing treatment. It was a day of revolution on behalf of labor rights, and it was the first mass global movement in recorded history to posit sex work not as a moral issue but as a labor rights issue. " 

How Anti-LGBTQ Measures Nationwide Can Stir 'Confusion and Chaos' in Arizona

"Before "Don't Say Gay," there was "No Promo Homo." Arizona lawmakers passed a bill in 1991 that banned teaching about HIV and AIDS in schools with materials that promoted "a homosexual lifestyle" or suggested gay sex could be safe. The law as written was specifically confined to HIV and AIDS instruction. But before it was repealed in 2019, it was widely — and wrongly — seen as much more expansive." 

Hundreds of Gannett Journalists Walk Out

"Hundreds of journalists for the country’s largest newspaper chain walked off the job on Monday, accusing the company’s chief executive of decimating its local newsrooms, and demanding a change at the top. The walkout was the biggest labor action in Gannett’s history, said the union representing the journalists. It included workers from about two dozen newsrooms, including The Palm Beach Post, The Arizona Republic and The Austin American-Statesman. The demonstrations are expected to continue on Tuesday for some newsrooms."

340,000 UPS Workers Are Voting Whether to Authorize A Massive Strike 

“As Americans become even more reliant on delivery, hundreds of thousands of UPS workers this week could authorize a strike that will bring the world’s biggest package courier to a standstill. UPS workers will vote this week on whether to authorize a strike if their union – the International Brotherhood of Teamsters – does not reach a new contract with UPS by August 1st. The vote results will be announced next week on June 16, the union said. Strike authorization votes are routine during contract negotiations, and almost always pass.

L.A. Hotels Depend on Low-Wage Workers. Thousands Have Just OK'd a Possible Strikes

"Ramirez on Thursday was among Southern California hotel workers who voted overwhelmingly to authorize their leaders to call a strike if their employers don’t agree to major wage boosts in contract negotiations covering 15,000 workers in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The authorization was approved by 96% of those who voted, Unite Here Local 11 said Thursday night. If a contract agreement isn’t reached, a strike could begin as early as the Fourth of July weekend and would be the largest in modern U.S. history, the union said."

Activist's Fight Against Segregation Evolved Into Political Action to Push for Voting Rights 

"Norman Hill was at the AFL-CIO office in Washington, D.C., in August 1965, and recalls cheering when he learned the Voting Rights Act had passed Congress. He then took a moment to remember the people “who were killed, literally, struggling to try to get Blacks registered to vote.” Now 90, Hill started working in the Civil Rights Movement with the NAACP in Chicago before joining the Congress of Racial Equality in the early 1960s to work on its Route 40 Project.”

Demonstrators Take Over Main Street At Disneyland Paris As Cast Members Strike & Protests Reach 3rd Day

“Hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters took over Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland Paris on Wednesday as an industrial action by cast members demanding better pay and conditions stretched across a third day. Key demands include a net monthly pay rise of $213 (€200) for all the employees at the park, higher pay for Sunday shifts and additional help with transport costs to the site, which is situated 20 miles (32 kilometres) east of Central Paris."

Governor Hobbs Promises A Renewed Effort to Curb Growth of Universal Vouchers

“Governor Katie Hobbs says she is looking at every option available to get state lawmakers to curb the growth of universal school vouchers. This week the Arizona Department of Education projected 100,000 students will be enrolled in the program this fall, costing taxpayers $900 million. That's nearly double the allocation set aside in the 2024 budget."

Repairs, Cleanup Begins After 20 Freight train Cars Derail Near Williams

“According to Coconino County Emergency Management, a BNSF train derailed just east of Williams around 11:20 p.m. Officials with BNSF say 20 cars derailed and were heavily damaged. The train was carrying new cars, trucks, and vans. No one was hurt."

Maricopa County Eviction Filings Climb Again in May. Here's Why 

“Metro Phoenix landlords moved to evict almost 550 more renters in May than in April. Last month, 6,892 eviction actions were filed, according to the Maricopa County Justice Courts. That compares with 6,350 in April and 5,823 in March. Evictions fell during the pandemic due to state and national moratoriums but have been climbing most months since last summer. "

Arizona Republic Reporters, Other Newsrooms Strike to Protest Low Pay, Unfair Working Conditions

“For two days, unionized reporters across the country, including at Arizona’s largest newspaper, walked off the job to protest unfair working conditions. On June 5 and 6, journalists at the Arizona Republic and 24 other newsrooms didn’t cover local governments, sports teams, restaurants and all the other things they typically do in order to send a message to parent company Gannett, the largest newspaper publisher in the country."

Coffee and Chat with Arizona Republic Guild 

Congressman Ruben Gallego Roundtable on the Lower Drug Costs for Families Act 

Pride Month

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