John, 

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, we find ourselves reflecting on the many reasons we have to be grateful. It is with immense gratitude that I take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared together as part of the Arizona AFL-CIO family. In the face of challenges, your resilience and commitment have been the driving force behind our collective achievements. Together, we have made strides in advancing workers' rights and shaping a stronger future for our community.

To our esteemed President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, we extend our deepest appreciation for your leadership and tireless efforts in championing the cause of labor. Your guidance has been instrumental in our success, and we are truly grateful for your unwavering commitment to the AFL-CIO mission.

As we gather with our loved ones, let us carry the spirit of unity and solidarity that defines our movement. May this be a time of reflection, appreciation, and shared joy with those who matter most. On behalf of the entire Arizona AFL-CIO family, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to achieving even greater milestones together in the coming year.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

LCSA Annual Santa's Helper Program 

Labor's Community Service Agency has been planning for their annual Holiday Santa's Helper program to provide gifts to children in their affordable housing program. This year there are over 150 children on the list! 

They have made it simple to contribute: 

1. You can request a gift tag and purchase the present. They will pick up or you can deliver to their office - 3117 N. 16th St., STE 100, Phoenix, AZ 85016 
2. You can donate money and they will shop for you 
3. You can donate via check or PayPal on their website, www.lcsaphx.org- use donate button and specify "Santa's Helper"

Click on the button below to access the form to donate. 

AZ AFL-CIO Upcoming Training: Young Workers Common Sense Economics - December 1st

Facilitated by our Training Specialist, Esau Gutierrez, this event is your opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the economic challenges faced by young workers. We will delve into how the current economic system isn't in their favor and shed light on the influence of corporate CEOs and billionaires on their lives.

Through this training, we'll discuss the power of collective action, including voting, volunteering, organizing, and activism, to reshape the rules of the economy in their favor.

📅 Friday, December 1st, 2023

⏰10 AM to 11:30 AM 

💻 This is a virtual event via Zoom, you will receive the link once you RSVP

COSHCON23: the National Conference on Worker Safety and Health

Arizona Labor Book Club Meeting- November

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, Dignity by Fire: Dismantling Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Machine by Randy Parraz, and also vote on December's book of the month!

NEXT MEETING: November 30th, 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].

Putting Workers Back in Spotlight: Challenging Misconceptions on Project Labor Agreements - Fred Yamashita

"Project Labor Agreements, for those unfamiliar with the term, are pre-hire agreements that establish the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project. These agreements typically cover issues such as wages, benefits, working conditions and dispute resolutions. PLAs are often negotiated between project owners, contractors and labor unions. The objective of a PLA is to ensure labor stability and streamline the construction process, making it more efficient and cost-effective."

A New Album of Old Labor Songs Revives a Forgotten Era of Class Struggle  

"On the anniversary of songwriter and union organizer Joe Hill’s execution by firing squad, a new album revives early 20th-century labor movement songs, capturing the original spirit of loud, raucous brass bands."

Wells Fargo Employees at Two Branches Mount Unionization Campaign

"In a petition to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), bankers and tellers at Wells Fargo branches in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Bethel, Alaska declared their intent to join the Communications Workers of America's Wells Fargo Workers United (WFWU)."

UAW Members Ratify Historic Contracts at Ford, GM, and Stellantis

"The agreements include substantial wage increases for all Big Three members, life-changing raises for tens of thousands of members, and tens of billions of dollars in product and investment commitments from the companies. After decades of deindustrialization and working-class decline, the new contracts pave the way for a future of reindustrialization and working-class power."

Historic Tentative Agreement Reached Between Unions and Detroit Casinos 

"This settlement is a historic investment in Detroit’s future. This new contract brings together workers and employers in partnership to fulfill the gaming industry’s promise to Detroit of high-paying casino jobs with good benefits. The historic five-year tentative agreement covering 3700 employees includes the largest wage increases ever negotiated in the Detroit casino industry’s 23-year history (including an immediate 18% pay raise on average), no health care cost increases for employees, workload reductions and other job protections, first-ever technology contract language, retirement increases and more."

Macy's Workers to Strike Black Friday Across Washington Over Unfair Labor Practices 

"Macy’s workers at three, popular store locations in Western Washington said they will be going on strike on Black Friday, November 24. 96% of Macy’s Workers United (UFCW 3000) voted to authorize ‘unfair labor practice’ strikes, leaving their workplaces to join picket lines. Workers said receiving a fair wage is important, but safety is at the top of their minds."

Expanded Rights Coming for Georgia Migrant Farmworkers 

"The H-2A program, which allows foreign farmworkers to legally come work in the U.S. for months at a time, is crucial to Georgia’s agricultural industry. Year after year, employers in the state bring in one of the country’s highest totals of H-2A workers. According to Dr. Cesar Escalante, a professor in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Georgia takes in a disproportionately large number of H-2A workers relative to other, bigger states, because there are scant sources of domestic farm labor here."

Communications Workers of America to Arizona Commerce Authority: "We Want Broadband Done Right" 

“The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has launched a powerful ad, encouraging the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) to ensure that the nearly $1 billion in federal funding the state is receiving for high-speed broadband buildout goes to companies committed to quality, safety, and hiring locally."

Sky Harbor Workers Strike, Form Picket Line on Busy Thanksgiving Day Travel

“SSP America workers at Sky Harbor walked out Tuesday in protest of “numerous alleged labor law violations,” according to a media release. This is occurring amid some of the busiest travel days of the year, just days before Thanksgiving Day."

Sit-In at UA's College of Education Calls to Reinstate Professors

“This is the second time this semester that lecture material was shared on social media garnering criticism regarding its content. Earlier this fall, a College of Nursing faculty member resigned after a photo of their lecture slide addressing gender-affirming care went viral. That professor also received threats resulting in increased police presence at the college, according to comments made during a previous faculty senate meeting."

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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]