john, 

"It’s Better in a Union" was the theme for this year’s AZ AFL-CIO annual Labor Day fundraiser held at the recently renamed Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, a union hotel. The event was well attended and well received by the nearly 300 union members, friends, supporters, and community partners!

Pima County Recorder, Educator, Community Activist, and Mom, Gabriella Cazares-Kelly was the Master of Ceremonies and did a fabulous job moderating and sharing her story.

Out-going AZ AFL-CIO Executive Vice President, Dean Wine, was recognized for his years of service to the AFL, Local IBEW 640 (where Dean served for many years as the Business Manager and Financial Secretary), the AZ Building Trades Council, and to workers throughout Arizona. Dean has accepted a position with the IBEW International as the District 7 Renewable Energy and Government Affairs Representative.

The 2023 AZ AFL-CIO Volunteer of the Year award went to Melissa Osborne. Melissa is President of Local Executive Council 35, Alaska Airlines SFO. Melissa serves as the Chair of the Maricopa Area Labor Federation Mobilization Committee and is a tireless volunteer for both the MALF and the State Federation. In the spirit of Solidarity, Melissa let us know how she has found a ‘home’ with her Labor family here in Arizona!

Betty Guardado, a current Phoenix City Council Member and former Executive Committee member and President of Phoenix UNITE/HERE Local 631, was honored as the Labor Leader of the Year. Betty's journey from a housekeeper at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles 30 years ago to a prominent Union activist and leading advocate for workers on the City Council was celebrated. She has championed worker protections during COVID, negotiated the best public employee contracts for AFSCME members in years, and led the coalition for Project Labor Agreement language in the city. With the help of the new council, the current Mayor repealed the language, and State Attorney General Kris Mayes released a public opinion that PLAs are legal for cities and municipalities throughout the state of Arizona.

The Elected Leader of the Year was Arizona Attorney General, Kris Mayes. AG Mayes has picked up where she left off as a member of the AZ Corporation Commission when she was appointed by Governor Janet Napolitano. Since taking office as AG, Mayes has joined several other Attorney Generals across the country to challenge the merger between Albertsons and Kroger companies to enforce monopoly laws that are meant to protect the average worker. AG Mayes also announced the formation of the Office for Worker Protection, as she promised she would during the campaign.

Governor Katie Hobbs was the Keynote Speaker this year, and she was able to captivate this Labor crowd by reviewing the accomplishments on behalf of the workers of Arizona! Starting with her transition team and cabinet appointments, Labor has had a seat at the table. Whether it's signing landmark protections for workers or vetoing bad bills that would hurt workers, the Governor has kept her promises to the working families of Arizona!

Throughout the program, from the floor, sitting at tables around the room, we got to hear from Members of UFCW Cannabis Workers, UNITE/HERE Airport Workers, and Leaders of the newly formed Arizona ‘Union Production Coalition’ supporting members of the film industry unions in their battles with the film and television industry!

All in all, it was a successful and inspiring event, and we can’t wait to see you all next year!

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

El Grito Celebration

AFL-CIO Virtual Training: How to Organize Your Workplace

Stand with Fellow Union Members: Tell the FTC to STOP the Kroger Albertsons Megamerger

Kroger and Albertsons grocery stores are pushing for a corporate merger that could give them nearly unchecked control over food prices and supply chains in many communities. 

The effect on workers would be huge—one megacorporation would control the wages and benefits of essential workers who made sure American families were able to access food and other necessities throughout the pandemic.

We can stop this merger to help American families and workers.

Make your voice heard today by sending a message to the Federal Trade Commission in opposition to this proposed merger.

Arizona Workers -- Send A Message to Congress NOW to Protect Workers from Deadly Heat!

National COSH and Public Citizen invite you to join us and raise your voice for Heat Stress Action Week. Fill out the form below to tell your representatives you want action to protect workers from heat illness on the job.

2,000 workers die each year from dangerous heat exposure on the job. 

Exposure to excessive heat is one of the most dangerous problems facing workers today. Congress has the power to protect workers now by passing the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act.

Union Community Fund- Disaster Relief for Maui & Big Island

The wildfire devastation in Hawaii has killed dozens of people and destroyed the historic town of Lahaina on the island of Maui. Our union family needs our help. Please consider donating to the Union Community Fund and the Hawaii AFL-CIO Community Services Program/Hawaii Employees Lifeline Program. 

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. 

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].

Unions Are America's Future. The Numbers Say So

"As the president of the AFL-CIO, the labor federation in America of 12.5 million workers and 60 unions strong, I've seen this firsthand. A new poll we conducted showed that more than two-thirds of Americans support unions, the highest number in 60 years. But here is the number that will really grab you: 88 percent of young workers in this country believe in the power of unions. Nine in every 10 Americans under the age of 30. "

President Biden: Bidenomics is Working in Wisconsin. We're Investing in American Workers

"Labor Day honors the dignity of the American worker and recognizes that Wall Street didn’t build America"

National Labor Relations Board Slams Union-Busting Tactics By Employers

"The new ruling forces employers found interfering with a union election to immediately recognize the union without a new election."

97% of UAW's Big Three Members Vote Yes to Authorize Strike 

"The union’s strike authorization vote passed with near universal approval from the 150,000 union workers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. Final votes are still being tabulated, but the current combined average across the Big Three was 97% in favor of strike authorization. The vote does not guarantee a strike will be called, only that the union has the right to call a strike if the Big Three refuse to reach a fair deal. "

Staten Island Ferry Workers Agree to New Contract After 13-Year Wait 

"The 16-year agreement between the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association and the administration of Mayor Eric Adams guarantees an immediate 28.55% retroactive salary increase for the ferry system’s roughly 120 engineers, captains and mates. Ninety-four percent of workers approved the contract, which expires in January 2027."

American Airlines Flight Attendants Take Key Step Toward Possible Strike

"Flight attendants at American Airlines voted overwhelmingly to authorize union leaders to call for a strike, a move designed to put pressure on the carrier during negotiations over pay raises. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants said Wednesday that more than 99% of members who voted recently favored giving the union power to call a strike. The union backed up the vote with picketing at several airports."

The State of the Green Unions

"Labor Unions at some environmental groups are still negotiating their contracts years after organizing."

Organized Labor Feels Strong this Labor Day

“The original goal of Labor Day was to honor organized labor and what it contributes to our economy and our society and on Labor Day 2023, members of organized labor can look back on a very busy year.

In Tucson’s Kennedy Park, Labor Unions gather to celebrate Labor Day with a traditional picnic and this year they are in a real mood to celebrate."

Largest Private-Sector Union Ratifies 30-Month Contract

“Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99 voted to ratify the contract at the end of August-- giving them the largest wage increase for long-term, full-time employees in more than three decades."

Arizona AG Mayes Announces Formation of Workers' Rights Unit 

“Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the unit Friday as she accepted an award from the Arizona AFL-CIO. The unit will focus on protecting Arizona workers from exploitation and enforcing existing laws to promote fair competition in Arizona, according to a press release."

Phoenix Airport Workers' OSHA Complaint Alleges Extreme-Heat Safety Issues 

“Airport workers filed an occupational safety complaint against a contractor at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, alleging health and safety violations related to this summer's extreme heat. In the complaint filed Aug. 24 with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the workers stated that Prospect Airport Services, a contractor at Sky Harbor Airport, failed to provide them protections from extreme heat as Phoenix experienced record-breaking temperatures this summer."

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]