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Introducing the Arizona AFL-CIO Podcast: Labor, Off the Cuff! Here is a glimpse of our beginning stages, goals, and aspirations for this project, written by Esau Gutierrez, our Training Specialist:

There are over 5 million podcasts out there. Of those 5 million podcasts, there are over 70 million episodes and hundreds of millions of listeners. When it came time to think of what the team here at the Arizona AFL-CIO had to offer to the space, it became clear: a sensible, ‘off-the-cuff’ approach to talking about the working class struggle and current events in the world of organized labor. What we hope to provide through this medium is a new and exciting resource that provides education, information, and updates on all things related to Organized Labor, relevant politics, and social developments.

There are three of us. 

Esau Gutierrez, the Mexican-born, newly minted Phoenician, a lifelong trainer, organizer, negotiator, and agitator.

Rasean Clayton, a lifelong trainer and organizer, US Military veteran, and son of the South.

And Ryan Kelly, born Phoenician, adopted child of Tucson, lifelong organizer, agitator, Titan of Labor, and friend to all.

We sat in an office, previously a storage room, now turned into a cozy makeshift union hall/podcasting studio, and hit record. 

We had a blast. This isn’t NPR. This isn’t the morning news or a video essay on YouTube. This is a conversation between friends about Labor. What is the latest on Ryan’s beat, down in Tucson? What has Rasean heard about in Phoenix employee orientations? What has Esau learned at his latest training anywhere in the State?

The Arizona AFL-CIO team has a great and privileged viewpoint of Labor in the State that not only measures the temperatures and predicts the headwinds of the state but also the country.

The possibilities are endless. With a Labor movement in Arizona ready to burst at the seams to grow and empower workers in the state, we hope to be able to capture the excitement and share it with you all! When it comes to educational pieces that provide insight into labor in the state, politics, and national developments, we hope this podcast serves as a resource for all. This will be a dual-format podcast. So there will be an audio-only format that is good and ready to hit the eardrums. But there will also be a video-format podcast episode available on YouTube.

So get ready to sit down, relax, grab a drink and a snack, and spend some time with Esau, Rasean, and Ryan as we gather around and discuss Arizona Labor, “Off-The-Cuff”.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Arizona AFL-CIO 11th Annual Labor Day Luncheon

We invite you to join us for our Labor Day Luncheon on Friday, September 1st at the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak! We offer a variety of table sponsorship options and individual ticket options.

We kindly request that you provide us with the names of attendees once you have made your purchase. If you have any questions please contact our Communications Director, Alina Cordoba at [email protected]. 

AZ Pipe Trades 469 PAC Asking to Block TSMC Foreign Worker Visas

TSMC announced they plan to bring more than 800 foreign workers to Arizona to operate on the North Phoenix facility -- placing profit above worker safety! This contradicts the purpose of why the CHIPS Act was enacted. 

Arizona Pipe Trades 469 PAC is asking to protect our union brothers and sisters, protect our paycheck, and protect American jobs by asking elected officials to Block the EB-2 Worker Visas. 

Show Your Support: Grinder Workers are Unionizing!

Grinder is the largest LGBTQIA+ dating app. By joining together in a union, member of Grindr United are committed to ensuring Grindr remains a safe, inclusive & thriving place for both its users and workers.

Over 490 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced across the U.S. Now, more than ever, Grindr employees believe it is crucial to stand united & push back against these assaults on equality & inclusivity by joining together to exercise their power and work.

Show your support for Grindr United. Tell Grindr CEO George Arison to respect his employees' right to form a union!

How to Win HUGE Cash prizes from Union Plus

The 2023 Union Plus Labor Day campaign is here! The Unions Power America Contest is kicking things off, running through July 26. Union Plus is awarding $140,000 in cash prizes, including a $40,000 grand prize. The past few years have been hard for workers—so we want to help hardworking union families dream big.

Union Plus wants to hear your stories—of going above and beyond for others and powering your communities, workplaces and families. Members can nominate themselves to win, or people can nominate any current or retired union member in their life to win by sharing their inspiring stories.

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. 

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].

The Case for More Strikes

"As the fighting spirit spreads among workers, unions nationwide must take advantage of their leverage and use the strike weapon more often, but they need to do it in such a way that the rank and file is involved and demonstrating its power. For example, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has provided UPS Teamsters around the country with the tools to organize an aggressive contract mobilization, from campaign rallies and contract-unity pledge cards to a national day of action and practice picketing. With record approval ratings, a strong job market, and low unemployment, unions are in a position to secure big wins—so long as they keep the pressure on." 

Common Is Ready for Hip-Hop to Unionize

"The hip-hop legend has seen enough rappers die to know the cultures need to protect them."

Strikes Spiked in July, as Workers Seek Higher Wages to Keep Up with Inflation

"July was one of the busiest months for strikes in three decades, reflecting growing public support for unions and increased worker leverage in an era of low unemployment, as tens of thousands of workers have pushed employers for higher wages to keep up with high inflation. The labor unrest erupting in Hollywood, where 170,000 actors have joined 11,500 screenwriters on picket lines, is far from the only example of workers banding together to demand more from their employers this summer. Baristas, national park bus drivers, hotel housekeepers, lawyers, book sellers, locomotive plant workers, sour cream producers and brewery workers also went on strike in July.”

Big Business Lobbies Against Heat Protections for Workers as US Boils 

"Business groups and lobbyists have aggressively opposed efforts at state and federal levels to enact heat protection standards for workers, claiming employers already practice what a standard would mandate, expressing concerns about the burden on employers, and claiming the efforts take a “wrong approach”. Between 2011 to 2021, 436 workers died from heat exposure according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but that is most likely an undercount because heat-related deaths are often attributed to other accidents or health conditions."

Politicians Ask Taylor Swift to Postpone L.A. Shows Amid Hotel Strike 

"An open letter penned last week by members of Unite Here Local 11, the union representing the striking hospitality workers, asked Swift to postpone her six sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in solidarity with the strike. On Tuesday, they were joined by dozens of local politicians, including California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, the union announced."

Rhode Island Marijuana Workers Set Up Push for Unionization

"It was that final decision by Green Thumb to cut hours that spurred Botelho to unionize his workplace in May. Within a month, workers at RISE voted 50-6 to form a union with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 328."

Illegal Child Labor Is On the Rise In a Tight Job Market

“US child labor violations have jumped in recent years. Some well-known companies, consumer-facing name brands, have been caught employing children for grueling work in dangerous conditions. A tight labor market has prompted many employers to search for the cheapest available labor; state legislators are even pushing bills that would limit legal protections for underage workers. Now, the Department of Labor has announced actions it’s taken so far this year through a new interagency task force on child labor."

Legislature Passes Prop. 400 Bills, Ends Lengthy Session

“In a defeat to the Arizona Legislature’s conservative Freedom Caucus, both chambers on Monday passed a bill that will ask voters in Maricopa County to continue Proposition 400, a half-cent transportation tax that funds roads and public transportation.  The passage of Senate Bill 1102, which will put Prop. 400 to the voters for the third time since 1984, when it was initially approved, also marked the end of a drawn out and contentious legislative session that lasted a record 203 days.  Once Gov. Katie Hobbs signs the bill, which she is expected to do, it will direct Maricopa County to hold a countywide election to ask the voters to extend the transportation tax for two decades. The tax funds street and highway projects, along with public transportation, a point of contention for those in the Freedom Caucus."

DOL Recovers $114K in Back Wags, Damages from Operator of Yuma Sports Bar Who Intentionally Denied Overtime Pay to 86 Workers

“A federal investigation into the pay practices of a Yuma sports bar and grill has recovered $114,996 in back wages and damages for 86 workers employed by three owners who learned that denying employees overtime wages — deliberately and knowingly — is a bad and costly wager."

Southern Arizonans Tell Attorney General that Grocery Merger Could Increase Food Deserts, Prices, Job Loss

“Southern Arizonans living in rural areas are worried that a potential merger of two of the state's largest grocery stores could exacerbate the current lack of grocery stores, causing increased food deserts, increased food prices and loss of jobs. These are just a few of the concerns conveyed to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes at a listening session in Sierra Vista on Wednesday about locals’ concerns over the potential Albertsons and Kroger merger."

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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]