John, 

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, the AZ AFL-CIO would like to recognize Hattie Canty (1933-2012). One of the greatest strike leaders in U.S. history. Hattie successfully bridges the civil rights movement to labor history, to the women’s rights movement, and to modern-day politics and culture. 

Below is a piece titled, “Black Women Built That: Labor and Workers’ Rights” published on February 28, 2018 by the National Women’s Law Center. 

“Born in rural Alabama in 1933, Hattie Canty was one of the greatest strike leaders in U.S. history. She found work as a cook in California before settling in Las Vegas with her husband, who supported the family and ten children. Except for a short stint working as a maid at the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas in 1972, Canty largely stayed home to raise the family’s ten children. In 1975, her husband fell ill and succumbed to lung cancer. Facing the prospect of caring for eight of her children who were still living at home, 41-year-old Canty took another maid job at a hotel – this time the Maxim – a hotel unionized with Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union Local 226. Because of the union, the job afforded Canty health benefits, a pension, and wages far above the minimum wage. Over the next dozen years, Canty rose through the ranks, being promoted from maid to attendant. She spent every one of her off-days walking a picket line when there was a picket line to walk.

In May 1990, the membership of the union elected Canty president – the first woman president of the local – and a position she held for ten years.

Under her leadership, the Local engaged in what became one of the longest strikes in US History, which lasted 6 years, 4 months and ten days between 1991 and 1998. In 1991, 550 hospitality workers at the Vegas Frontier Hotel walked off their jobs to protest unfair wages and treatment. Over the next six years, the union maintained a strike line 24 hours a day, seven days a week and no striker ever crossed the picket line. The strike ended in victory when the Frontier was bought by another businessman, who promised to restore the workers to their jobs, honor the union contract, and provide back pay for the workers.

During an oral history in 2007, Canty had this to say about striking: “… when there’s a strike like that, you’re not just striking for the benefits from that hotel. But you are learning to take up for yourself. You are learning to defend your rights. You are not letting people just run over you or you’re taking anything they give you.”

Hattie Canty was a dynamic leader who also worked to better integrate the union and address racial tensions. She was not only a fearless advocate, going to jail at least six times to defend the union, but a strategic institution builder. For example, she established a culinary training academy that helped train workers to gain promotions in the industry. Canty rose through the ranks, as a largely uneducated hotel worker, to become a union president and strike leader, strengthening the foundation of what remains one of the strongest union locals in the country today.

These are just two of thousands of Black women throughout our nation’s history who have fought for the rights of working people as community leaders for the benefit of all of us. We owe Lucy Parsons, Hattie Canty, and so many more a debt of gratitude for the rights we often take for granted today.”

Read full article here.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Join us on Tuesday, February 13, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for a worldwide day of action and picketing event with AFA-CWA, APFA, and TWU

Flight Attendants across the industry are fighting to raise the standards for our career. More than two-thirds of the U.S. Flight Attendants are in contract negotiations right now, including red-hot contract fights at American, Alaska, Air Wisconsin, United, Omni, Southwest, Frontier, PSA, Mesa, and more.

Picket Locations: 11AM - 1PM

• Terminal 3, Garden Area 
• Terminal 4: Level 2, Southeast Curb & Northwest Curb 

2024 AZ AFL-CIO Day of Action at the Capitol - Monday, February 19th! 

Join us! This event allows union members to make their presence known in the legislature and advocate for the issues that matter most to working families in Arizona.

We will have special guest speaker, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation,  Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, and offering two informative workshops.

• "Empowering Advocacy Through Labor-Led Wins" facilitated by AFSCME's Arizona Political & Legislative Director Briona Parkinson  
• "Common Sense Economics" facilitated by AZ AFL-CIO Staff Esau Gutierrez, Rasean Clayton, and Ryan Kelly

*Lunch Provided*

If you would like to participate as a volunteer and make this event a success, please please click on the following link and fill out the Google Form. You will be contacted with more information: https://bit.ly/3voc1aZ

'I Am Story' Nomination for NAACP's Outstanding Podcast Image Award 

The NAACP has nominated the “I Am Story” podcast, AFSCME’s series recounting the struggle of the 1968 Sanitation Strike in Memphis, Tennessee, for an Image Award in the Outstanding Podcast—Limited Series/Short Form category.

Help share the “I Am Story” with a new generation of workers by casting your vote no later than Feb. 24. You can vote for the podcast by following these steps:

1. Go to the Image Awards website.
2. Select the Outstanding Podcast—Limited Series/Short Form category.
3. Click the “Vote” button located underneath the “I Am Story” podcast—please note that this does not officially count your vote.
4. Click “Back to Categories,” then scroll to the bottom of the categories page and click the “Submit Your Votes” button.
5. Enter your email into the pop-up window and click the “Vote” button, and once it says, “Thanks for voting,” your vote has officially been counted.

2024 Legislative Committee Meeting Alerts - AZ AFL-CIO 

Join us every Friday at 9:30 AM via Zoom to get updates and alerts on the 2nd Regular Session of the 56th Legislature. Click on the button below and complete the form. 

For additional questions, contact our Political Director, Joe Murphy at [email protected].  

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].

Black History Month: A Reading List 

"This Black History Month, we at the AFL-CIO want to recognize that Black history is not a separate history; it’s not a single month. Black history is also America’s history, and it’s America’s labor history, too."

How Local Labor Unions Are Helping Members Buy Homes

"2023 was a big year for Philly labor activity, including the formation of new unions. As home prices rise and wages don't keep pace, local labor unions are offering members home buying help."

Black and Latina Women Helped Propel Gains for Unions in 2023

"The share of Black and Latina women in unions went up slightly in 2023 — from 10.3% to 10.5% for Black women and from 8.5% to 8.8% for Latina women."

Labor Victory for Dartmouth Basketball Players Only Start of Path to A Union Deal 

"A ruling that gives the Dartmouth basketball team the right to unionize has far-reaching implications for all of college sports — from the quaint, academically oriented Ivy League to the big-money football factories like Michigan and Alabama."

Workers at José Andrés’ The Bazaar in Washington, D.C. have unionized

"A ‘supermajority’ of workers at the mainly-immigrant-staffed restaurant has formed a union with Unite Here Local 25 that has been formally recognized."

Starbucks is Sending 1 Lucky Barista To Costa Rica, But Not If They're In A Union

"Union stores are excluded from the company's North America Barista Championship. The union calls it part of a broader pattern of retaliation."

Eldora Ski Patrol Joins Push to Unionize Colorado Ski Resorts 

"On Eldora’s snow-covered slopes, in the mountains west of Boulder, patrollers know what it takes to keep skiers and snowboarders safe. Now, they’re learning what it takes to unionize."

Tempe Hotel Employees Go Out on Strike Over Working Conditions

"Workers at Hyatt Tempe Mission Palms are filing a federal unfair labor practice charge against their employer, citing threats and intimidation."

Arizona Teamsters Applaud Introduction of warehouse Worker Protection Bill

“The Teamsters applauded the introduction of Arizona House Bill 2682, which would create transparency around dangerous quotas in warehouses and ensure unrealistic work conditions do not interfere with legally protected breaks for workers."

Community Health Development Partners Announce New Health Center in Lake Havasu City

“Community Health Development Partners, which creates an ecosystem of healthcare resources and solutions that address challenges in rural and underserved communities, today announced plans to open a new ambulatory surgical center in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The Lake Havasu Community Health Center (Lake Havasu CHC), will also serve surrounding communities and is expected to be operational by Fall 2024, creating over 100 new jobs."

Arizona Diamondbacks 'Chase Your Dreams' Initiative Supports High Schools in Arizona with Baseball and Softball Programs 

“Three high schools in Yuma County were selected to receive a grant from the Arizona Diamondbacks' initiative to support baseball and softball programs."

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]