John, 

As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one, the Arizona AFL-CIO extends our heartfelt wishes for a Happy New Year to our union family. The turning of the calendar is a time for reflection, resolutions, and renewed commitment to the causes we hold dear.

In the face of unprecedented challenges, we have stood united, demonstrating the power of collective action. The past year has showcased the strength and determination of our union movement, and we are grateful for each member and activist who has played a role in our shared success.

As we embark on a new year filled with possibilities, let us set our sights on building an even stronger and more inclusive labor movement. Together, we can continue to advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity of every worker. Our collective voice is our most potent tool, and by standing together, we can achieve meaningful change.

As we face new challenges and opportunities, may our union family grow in strength and solidarity. Your dedication to the cause inspires us, and we are confident that, together, we will overcome whatever obstacles lie ahead.

Thank you for your tireless efforts and unwavering support. Here's to a New Year filled with progress, prosperity, and the continued success of the Arizona AFL-CIO.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

2024 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil & Human Rights Conference

Registration is now open! The theme for the conference is "Our Voice, Our Ballot, Our Future," and will take place on Jan. 12-14 in Montgomery, Alabama. The conference will occur at a crucial moment for the labor and civil rights movements, as workers across the country are organizing at historic rates for dignity, respect and justice, both on the job and in our communities. 

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].

A Great Year for Unions Equals A Great Year for All of Us! 

"As we approach the end of 2023, I'm reflecting on the remarkable influence labor unions have had across our nation this year. From historic strikes to groundbreaking negotiations, unions have not only championed workers' rights, they have reemerged as a beacon for bringing a fairer and more equitable economy for all."

Worker Wins: Best Contracts Ever

"Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life."

Shawn Fain, CNN Business' Labor Leader of the Year, Plans to Keep Automakers Sweating 

"CNN Business has been naming a “CEO of the year” for many years now, but this year’s success of unions winning significant wage increases, often by waging high-profile strikes, pointed to the need for a labor leader of the year as well. And for a change, we saw numerous candidates from which to choose."

eBay Violated Labor Law Trying to Bust Its First Union, NLRB Finds

"The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found merit in two unfair labor practice charges filed by workers at TCGPlayer, the company’s trading card selling subsidiary. The charges included allegations that eBay had refused to bargain with the union after its certification, refused to provide information it was legally obligated to provide, and unilaterally changed working conditions by removing work chairs from workstations, changing employee benefits like healthcare, and making workers sign confidentiality agreements."

The Newest Union Members Are Undergrads

"R.A.s working in college dorms help crime victims, enforce health protocols and handle mental health crises. They want more pay - and will strike to get it."

Wells Fargo Becomes First Big US Bank with Unionized Branch 

"Workers at a Wells Fargo branch in Albuquerque, N.M., voted 5-3 Wednesday to join the Communications Workers of America’s Wells Fargo Workers United, in an election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. Employees at a Wells Fargo branch in Bethel, Alaska, are scheduled to vote Thursday on joining the union. Both branches represent a tiny fraction of the bank’s overall workforce, but are meant to spur momentum for a broader union drive."

Southwest, Pilots Reach Tentative Agreement for Contract Worth $12 Billion

"The agreement runs through December 2028 and "provides significant gains in compensation, with pay rate increases over the next four years," the union said. The deal also includes flying schedule improvements, better disability coverage and increases to retirement benefits, according to the union."

Arizona Among States Where Hispanic Families are Surging Into Middle Class 

“Last month, the Culinary Union ratified a contract for 40,000 Nevada resort workers that will raise pay 32% over five years. For Elsa Roldan, a single mother who cleans guests’ rooms at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas, that would put her over the middle-class threshold she is already approaching at her $25-an-hour pay. In Nevada, the middle-class household income range is about $54,000 to $161,000."

Campus Workers' Union 'Denounces' University of Arizona Financial Plan 

“The union, which represents faculty, staff and student workers, wrote to its members that Robbins’ plan “leaves executive salaries and executive bonuses intact with no concrete plan to reduce the bloated administrative structure, while subjecting university staff, students and faculty to hiring freezes, deferment of salary increases, elimination of tuition guarantees and the centralization of services.'"

City of Phoenix Looking to Hire New Aquatics Staff, Offers Up to $3k Incentive

“Phoenix is home to 29 public pools and Councilwoman Betty Guardado stressed the importance of providing safe, accessible and affordable pools to local residents."

This Federal Program Is Saving Arizonans Money On Their Internet- Here's How to Sign Up

“In the modern world, access to the internet is not only necessary, but crucial for Americans to be able to do their jobs, go to school, access health care, and stay connected with family and friends. But the cost of that internet can often be out of reach for Arizona families. Over the past two years, however, millions of Americans have gotten a discount on their internet bills, thanks to the passage of President Biden’s Infrastructure Law in 2021."

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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]