John, 

Hispanic Heritage Month is here, and it's a time to celebrate the vital contributions of Hispanic and Latino workers in Arizona. These workers have been a big part of our state's story for a long time, shaping our history and future.

Arizona's history is tied to the hard work of Hispanic and Latino communities. They've played crucial roles, from farming the land to building our cities. Their dedication and labor have left a lasting impact on Arizona.

This month is about unity, recognizing the unique challenges many Hispanic and Latino workers face. It's a time to stand together, fighting for fair wages, safe workplaces, and better healthcare and education.

The Arizona AFL-CIO proudly stands shoulder to shoulder with our Hispanic brothers and sisters. We celebrate their aspirations and work diligently to ensure they receive the respect and opportunities they rightfully deserve. The contributions of Hispanic labor unions have been instrumental in enriching Arizona, improving the lives of workers, and enhancing the state's prosperity.

Let's keep working together to make Arizona more fair and inclusive. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor our past and look forward to a brighter future for everyone in our diverse state.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Teamsters Take Action- Yellow Freight

The Teamsters Union is calling on the federal government to reform corporate bankruptcy laws following Yellow Corp.’s filing for Chapter 11. The freight company’s closure leaves 22,000 Teamster members without work despite union members at Yellow giving back more than $5 billion in wages and benefits since 2009.

Email your Senators today and ask them to to hold Yellow Corp. accountable, support corporate bankruptcy reform, and urge Treasury to take action that will ensure that Yellow Corp.’s debt to American taxpayers is paid while also preserving tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs.

Support Safe Nursing Home Staff Now!

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is considering a historic new rule that would establish a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes for the first time.

Unfortunately, the nursing home industry is spending big to prevent this rule from being finalized. That’s why HHS needs to hear from you.

Will you take a moment to submit a comment to HHS before the Nov. 6 deadline?

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.

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: November th, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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].

Weak Labor Unions Are Out, Striking For Your Rights Is In

"The American working class has unshackled the burdensome restraints big businesses put on them and gained the courage to strike for fair working conditions."

Here's a UAW Strike Math Lesson for Detroit 2 Execs

"The UAW strike is heating up, and people are taking sides. Some feel like the union is asking for too much. After all, the Detroit Three are countering the union’s “unreasonable” request of a 36% pay hike with a more than ample 20% increase. Aside from executives, who gets a 20% raise, right? "

What is Indigenous Peoples Day? A Day of Celebration, Protest, and Reclaiming History

"The events across the U.S. come two years after President Joe Biden officially commemorated Indigenous Peoples Day. An increasing number of states and cities have also recognized it — pivoting from a day long rooted in the celebration of explorer Christopher Columbus to one focused on the people whose lives and culture were forever changed by colonialism."

The Auto Workers' Strike Enters Its 4th Week. The Union President Urges Members to Keep Up the Fight 

"The president of the United Auto Workers and other labor leaders headlined a rally Saturday in Chicago to maintain union members’ support for a strike against Detroit automakers that is now in its fourth week. UAW President Shawn Fain, using language that has become familiar over the past month, portrayed the strike a pivotal moment for organized labor and part of a war pitting working people against “the billionaire class and corporate greed.” Fain provided no new details on negotiations or whether talks continued on Saturday. A spokesman for General Motors said talks were continuing but without news to report. A spokeswoman for Stellantis, which owns the Jeep, Ram and Dodge brands, said there was nothing to update Saturday. Ford did not immediately reply to a request for comment."

Buffalo Exchange Workers at Downtown Portland Store Announce Union

"Workers at the Buffalo Exchange in Downtown Portland voted 9-1 to join a new independent union in a Sept. 15 vote held in the employee break room. The Buffalo Exchange Workers Union will represent 10 employees at the store, one of more than 40 locations owned by the Arizona-based clothing resale chain. It’s the first union Buffalo Exchange."

Alan Eisenberg, Longest-Serving Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association, Passes Away at 88

"Alan Eisenberg, the longest-serving executive director of Actors' Equity Association, died October 7, 2023 at the age of 88 in Rhinebeck, NY. He is survived by his wife, Claire Copley, and his daughters, Mollie Copley Eisenberg and Emma Copley Eisenberg."

Nursing Home Industry, Montana Senator Push Against Biden's Bid to Require More Nursing Staff at Facilities 

"The nursing home and assisted living industries — along with a number of federal lawmakers — are pushing against a Biden administration plan to require more staffing at facilities including having registered nurses be on-site 24/7.Last month, the White House unveiled details of new rules and regulations on nursing homes — which receive $100 billion annually in Medicare, Medicaid and other U.S. government payments."

Arizona Diamondbacks Face Criticism for LA Hotel Stay Amid Ongoing Labor Dispute

“A union of more than 32,000 hospitality workers criticized the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday for choosing to stay at a hotel facing a labor dispute and boycott. UNITE HERE Local 11 is a union for laborers working in restaurants, airports, sports arenas and convention centers in Southern California and Arizona. In a statement posted to X, the group accused the team of staying at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE for a second time amid the dispute."

Nearly A Third of Arizona Teacher Slots Vacant for Current School Year 

“A report by the National Education Association showed that the average Arizona teacher made $56,775 in fiscal 2021, the 32nd-lowest salary in the country at the time. The state fares even worse in per-pupil spending: A Census Bureau report said the $10,330 that Arizona spent in fiscal 2022 trailed every state for which there was data, except Idaho."

Southwest Airlines Fined $300k in Labor Fines in Arizona

“Southwest Airlines has racked up more than $300,000 in labor-related fines so far this year after Arizona workers filed complaints with the state, saying the company retaliated against them for taking their earned sick time. So far, more than a dozen employees have filed retaliation complaints with the Industrial Commission of Arizona, alleging they were given warning letters for taking their earned sick time. Some of the complaints are from aircraft maintenance technicians, who belong to a labor union."

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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]