john, 

In 2012, Hershey Student Guest Workers won a $200,000 backpay claim based on abusive conditions while working at the chocolate maker in Hershey, Pennsylvania. These were foreign students brought to the U.S. on J-1 travel visas. Many of the more than 1,000 students from Asia and Eastern Europe paid lots of money to take part in the program, only to be abused by the iconic candy conglomerate, all for the sake of cheap labor!

The sad irony of this situation is that Hershey’s was not cited in this case because of the shell game they were able to play utilizing an ‘employment agency’ who brought the students to the U.S., giving Hershey’s not only plausible but legal deniability in regards to accountability.

From 1942 to 1964, the U.S. and Mexican governments created the ‘Bracero’ program. An agreement that helped mitigate the labor shortage in the U.S. created by WWII by allowing Mexican men to come to the U.S. to harvest produce and work on the railroads. They worked on short-term contracts, and when they expired, they had the men return to Mexico in order to renew their permits.

The problem with these types of labor agreements is that they allow companies to abuse and exploit the workers who are always working under the fear and threat of deportation.

Late in 2021, a blockbuster human trafficking case was exposed in the state of Georgia. The case highlighted the abuse of the federal visa program that provides workers to farms and meat processing plants. The visas are the H-2A and H2-B non-immigrant worker visas. The indictment of two dozen defendants in a multi-year human trafficking case found the defendants allegedly defrauded the government of over 70,000 H-2A visas, forcing hundreds of workers to illegally work on Georgia onion farms. In which the conditions were so bad that it was described as "modern-day" slavery!

Another disturbing trend has been the number of child labor cases that have been coming to light in several factories and food processing plants, as well as the continued abuse of children picking crops all across the country. You would think this would be viewed in the most critical way by lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation. Instead, what we are seeing is an increased attack on child labor laws locally and federally as greedy corporations are doubling down on their attempts to take advantage of workers and increase profits.

Yesterday, President Biden redesignated Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela. Here is a statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Schuler on the "Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela":

“We welcome the news that the Biden Administration has redesignated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela.  As a result, thousands of migrants who fled to this country seeking refuge will have the opportunity to work safely and provide vital support to their families and our nation’s economy.

TPS is a pro-worker tool that brings much-needed relief to working families and communities at home and abroad. We applaud this announcement and urge the administration to designate and redesignate TPS for all countries destabilized by conflict and disasters.  Unions will continue our work to ensure that all those in our communities are able to live and work with rights and dignity.”

We know there is more to be done on immigration reform and protecting workers; this is the next step in the right direction. Immigrant rights are workers' rights!

Bustillo, X. (2022, May 27). A human-trafficking case exposed farmworker abuses. the government is promising change. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/05/27/1101741366/human-trafficking-farmworker-abuse-georgia

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Take part in the Pride Parade! 

AFL-CIO Virtual Training: How to Organize Your Workplace

Are You 'All In' with UAW Members?

Union contracts for 150,000 International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) members at the Big Three automakers expire Sept. 14. It will take the unity and strength of every UAW member, union, community and political ally to win what autoworkers and every worker deserves. The Big Three have made extreme profits over the past decade. Workers deserve fair pay and the Big Three can afford it. You can show your support.

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.

2023 Hall of Honor Induction of El Monte Thai Garment Workers

El Grito Celebration

Arizona Labor Book Club Meeting- October

Unfortunately, our September Labor Book Club meeting will be postponed this month

Join us in October via Zoom for a fun and engaging conversation regarding this month's book, The Great Stewardess Rebellion by Nell McShane Wulfhart, and also vote on November's book of the month!

NEXT MEETING: October 5th, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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. 

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].

Is Gen Z the Reason Behind Growing Support for Unions? 

"From actors and writers in Hollywood, to the UAW, to grad students at the University of Michigan, unions have been making their voices heard.These unions are also getting serious support. According to a recent Gallup poll, 67% of Americans approve of labor unions.That's a significant increase from when union approval was at an all-time low of 48% back in 2009 after the Great Recession. Generation Z might be behind the recent boom in popularity."

Corporations' Retaliation Against Workers Demands Government Response

"Workers who speak up or speak together are facing cuts in their work hours, demotions, harassment, mass layoffs, and even entire store or warehouse closures. At a time when many corporations are reporting record profits and the people who work for them are reporting a harder time making ends meet, instead of sharing the wealth, bad bosses are reacting to employees who assert their rights with every form of punishment possible, knowing full well the government isn't in a position to stop them."

Federal Employees and the American Public Deserve Better

"AFGE President: McCarthy Adjourning House as Government Shutdown Looms is 'Dereliction of Duty'."

UAW Strike More GM, Stellantis Facilities, Has Made Progress with Ford 

"The United Auto Workers expanded its strikes against Detroit automakers General Motors (GM.N) and Chrysler parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI), but kept its Ford (F.N) walkout limited to a single plant due to progress made in talks, the union said on Friday."

U.S. Treasury Department: Nation's Economy Would Benefit From Stronger Labor Unions 

"The U.S. Department of the Treasury has a much broader role than is often acknowledged in promoting economic growth. That includes improving the lives of workers and lifting up labor unions. Last month, it released a new report titled, “Labor Unions and the Middle Class,” arguing that robust labor unions are good not just for their members but for the economy and for all working people. "

Unionized Kaiser Health-Care Workers in D.C. Region Authorize Strike 

"Kaiser Permanente workers in the Washington region have authorized a strike if a contract agreement between the union and the California-based health-care provider consortium is not reached by Sept. 30, according to a statement Monday by the local union representing about 3,800 Kaiser employees in the District, Maryland and Virginia. In a statement posted to its website, the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 2 said 98 percent of its members voted to approve the strike and would take the action “if Kaiser Permanente does not come to the bargaining table to properly address our priorities — including staffing, patient care, and a consistent national wage increase to reward and retain our healthcare workers.'"

Metro Transit Union Authorizes Strike 

"Ninety-four percent of Metro Transit drivers, mechanics, cleaners and customer service agents voted on September 10 and 11 to authorize their bargaining committee to call a strike. The authorization to call a strike comes as their union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005, negotiates a new three-year contract with Metro Transit to replace one that expired at the end of July."

Curaleaf's Dispensary Midtown Employees Hold Strike Friday, Demanding Transparency

“United Food & Commercial Workers Local 99, a private-sector union representing retail workers across the southwest, held a peaceful rally Friday to support striking workers at Curaleaf's Dispensary Midtown."

Arizona Union Members Strike in Solidarity with Writers Against AMPTP

“Local SAG AFTRA union members and supporters took the stage on Sept. 17, all asking for fair wages and the regulation of artificial intelligence in the TV and film industry. "

Workers Lodge Complaint Alleging Vermin at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

“Workers for SSP America at Sky Harbor Airport filed a complaint with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) reporting what appeared to be rats at their workplace–Dunkin Donuts in Terminal 4."

Sky Harbor Airport Service Workers Protest During A Rally in Phoenix 

“Airport service workers held a rally at Sky Harbor on Tuesday afternoon, where they demanded better wages and better benefits. "

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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]