john, 

Happy Pride Month! As we continue to celebrate and honor the contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the labor movement, we turn our attention to a remarkable pioneer whose legacy has left an indelible mark on both the LGBTQ community and the fight for workers' rights. This week we pay tribute to Marsha P. Johnson, an LGBTQ activist and key figure in the Stonewall Uprising. Please read on to learn more about this inspiring individual. 

Title: Pride Month Profiles: Marsha P. Johnson

Author: Kenneth Quinnell

In 1968, a riot broke out at the Stonewall Inn, a popular LGBTQ bar, when police officers raided the building. This became known as one of the most important events that sparked the LGBTQ rights movement, commonly referred to as the Stonewall Riots or, more accurately, the Stonewall Uprising. 

Author David Carter wrote that Johnson was one of three key figures leading the resistance, but Johnson modestly downplayed her role, saying, “I was uptown, and I didn’t get downtown until about two o’clock. When I got downtown, the place was already on fire, and there was a raid already. The riots had already started.”

Either way, she joined in and played a pivotal role not only in the uprising, but in the founding of the Gay Liberation Front, an organization founded in the aftermath of Stonewall that advocated for the sexual liberation of all people.

Fighting back against discrimination toward transgender people, Johnson, along with Sylvia Rivera, founded STAR—Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries—a trans rights group that organized shelters for homeless transgender teens and drag queens. Johnson also helped found STAR House, which provided shelter to homeless queer youth.

Johnson’s life wasn’t all battles, however; she was a social butterfly who spent time with the likes of Andy Warhol. She also toured America and Europe as part of Hot Peaches, an avant-drag performance troupe.

Click here to read full blog post.

As we honor Pride Month we would like to invite you to the Arizona AFL-CIO constituency organization, Pride at Work- Arizona Chapter, for an exciting meeting that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and the LGBTQIA+ community on July 13, 2023 at 6PM at Teamsters Local 104! This meeting promises to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for equality and justice. Whether you're a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or a strong Ally, we encourage you to attend and be a part of this vibrant community. 

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Arizona Pride at Work Meeting

Please join us for a meeting of Pride at Work, the Arizona AFL-CIO's Constituency organization for the LGBTQ+ community. 

When: Thursday, July 13, 6 p.m. 

Where: Teamsters Local 104, 1450 S. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009

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!

Petition: Pass the Richard L. Trumka PRO Act

The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is landmark worker empowerment, civil rights and social justice legislation. It is an essential part of creating an economy that works for everyone. 

If we want to build up worker power, our outdated labor laws must keep up with the times. If you think we need to protect working people, take 30 econds to add your name in support of the PRO Act 

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. 

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].

Unionizing Made Me a Different person

"Forming a union with my coworkers at the immersive arts company Meow Wolf wasn’t easy. It was stressful and scary. But we pushed past that fear — and ended up transforming our lives in the process. " 

Unions Must Embrace Migrant Workers for the Future of the Labor Movement

"Most wealthy nations in the west have turned to migrant workers to keep a variety of industries afloat. But while the cheap labor of immigrants is welcomed, the migrants themselves are not. Canada is no exception. From the agricultural industry to the service sector, migrants can be found working under dangerous conditions for less than the minimum wage. And in many cases, unions simply aren’t doing their part to organize this vital section of the workforce. Elizabeth Ha joins The Real News to discuss the plight of migrant workers in Canada and why the labor movement must embrace them for its own survival. "

Summer of Strikes Heats Up

"It's shaping up to be a summer of strikes: Workers are walking off the job across a remarkable range of industries from Starbucks baristas to factory workers making parts for jets to Amazon drivers. Why it matters: The worker activism sparked by the pandemic seems to be increasing, thanks in part to a still-tight labor market and a relatively strong economy. Context: The strikes aren't having much broad economic impact, for now, but they could portend even more labor unrest — as all this union activity might inspire others to seek better pay and working conditions. State of play: Through May, there were about the same number of strikes in 2023 as last year — but the number of workers who walked out went up 80%. "

Bill Protecting Workers Against Union-Busting Advances in US Congress

"Democrats in the US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which is chaired by Bernie Sanders, voted to advance the “Protect the Right to Organize” Act (PRO Act) on Wednesday, June 21. The PRO Act would bolster existing protections against union-busting experienced by workers trying to organize unions across the country, as well as close legal loopholes that favor the employer in terms of union organizing. "

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Gives Women More Rights at Work

"The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which went into effect this week, gives pregnant and postpartum workers rights to temporary accommodations at work — things like flexible schedules, lighter duty, remote work, more breaks, or access to a chair. The hope is that this will help them keep their jobs while they grow and recover from growing other humans. A decade in the making, the new law will likely change the work outcomes for millions of pregnant people who now have the ability to ask for what they need to get by at work. "

Texas Wrests Power From Local Governments With Sweeping New Law

"Unprecedented state legislation could override city laws in policy areas ranging from workers’ rights and housing to finance and agriculture.  ”

Nurses Walk Out of Austin's Ascension Seton In Historic Stike

“Seventy-two percent of the 900-person nursing staff voted to form a union last fall. National Nurses United began its first contract negotiations with Ascension in November. Now, the union says it has reached an impasse with hospital management over priorities related to hiring and retention. A top concern for the union is lower guaranteed nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Nurses at the hospital say they are assigned too many patients at a time, causing nurses to burn out and patients to receive a lower standard of care."

TSMC to Bring 500+ More Migrant Workers to Arizona

“The world’s largest contract chipmaker will import hundreds of workers from Taiwan to help build its sprawling new facility in Phoenix, Arizona, the company announced on Thursday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and its suppliers plan to bring “more than 500” migrant workers to Phoenix for a limited time, due to “labor shortages and other factors,” according to Nikkei Asia. The news comes a week after the Prospect published an investigation of labor problems plaguing the TSMC site, which currently employs over 12,000 contract workers. Some described life-threatening injuries, while others detailed setbacks in construction that they alleged were caused by non-union contractors. The company has refused to sign an agreement with local labor groups, which union leaders say would help secure a reliable workforce. "

Hobbs Bans State Support of conversion Therapy, Allows Gender-Affirming Care for State Workers 

“Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs issued two pro-LGBTQ executive orders on Tuesday, banning state support of so-called conversion therapy and allowing transgender state employees to receive gender-affirming health care under their insurance plan. Hobbs made the announcement from the offices of a central Phoenix nonprofit that focuses on helping LGBTQ+ youth."

Following Kelly & Sinema's Request, More Than $51.1M Investment Coming to Arizona for City Buses From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

“A total of $51,144,259 will be invested in low or no-emission buses and bus facilities across Arizona from the bipartisan infrastructure law led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema and shaped by Senator Mark Kelly. A total of $21,490,560 was awarded to the City of Tucson; $16,358,000 was awarded to the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Transportation Authority; and $13,295,699 was awarded to Valley Metro. The funding was awarded through the Buses and Bus Facilities Program and Low-No Program, which Kelly and Sinema’s bipartisan infrastructure law bolstered by more than six times the amount of the previous five years of funding. "

Phoenix City Council OKs Project That Will Bring Tallest Building in Arizona to Downtown

“The council voted 8 to 1 in favor of the agreement, with Councilman Jim Waring voting against the proposal in opposition to an included tax incentive. In total, the project will bring about 2 million square feet of buildings to the 2-acre site, Nick Wood, the zoning attorney for the project, said. The highest tower is planned to reach 541 feet, making it the tallest building in the state. The former Chase Tower at First and Van Buren streets is the tallest building in Arizona, climbing to 483 feet."

Strike with Pride

Good Jobs for Good Airports Action

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