john, 

Exciting news has emerged from the front lines of labor rights battles: the recent breakthrough agreement between Starbucks and Workers United, marking a significant milestone in the struggle for fair labor practices within the coffee giant's empire.

Starbucks Workers United (SWBU) has been at the forefront of organizing efforts within Starbucks, advocating for better wages, working conditions, and respect for baristas' rights since 2021. On Tuesday, SWBU released a statement that encapsulated the essence of the breakthrough: "During mediation discussions last week over ongoing brand and IP litigation, a constructive path forward emerged on the broader issues of the future of organizing and collective bargaining at Starbucks." The agreement reached between Starbucks and Workers United is nothing short of groundbreaking. Starbucks has agreed to enter discussions with Workers United to establish a foundational framework aimed at achieving three crucial objectives:

1. Collective bargaining agreements for represented stores and partners: This provision is a significant win for Starbucks employees, as it ensures that their voices will be heard and respected in matters concerning their working conditions and benefits.

2. A fair process for workers to organize: Recognizing the importance of workers' rights to organize freely and without fear of retaliation, this aspect of the agreement lays the groundwork for a more equitable workplace where employees can exercise their rights without hindrance.

3. The resolution of litigation, including brand litigation: By addressing ongoing legal disputes, Starbucks and Workers United are paving the way for a more harmonious relationship built on mutual respect and understanding.

In addition, Starbucks agreed to provide workers represented by Workers United with credit card tipping and benefits. This foundational framework agreement is poised to have a profound impact on the lives of nearly 10,000 Starbucks baristas at union shops across the country. It represents a significant step forward in the fight for fair labor practices and demonstrates the power of collective action to bring about positive change.

As the Arizona AFL-CIO, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Starbucks baristas who have tirelessly advocated for their rights. We encourage our readers and members to join us in celebrating this historic milestone by sending notes of congratulations to Starbucks baristas. 

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Tell the White House to Stop the Raid on Postal Workers' Pensions

For more than 52 years, U.S. Postal Service (USPS) workers have unfairly had their retirement funds raided by the U.S. government—resulting in more than $90 billion in unjust expenses to the USPS. We need your help to send a message to the Biden administration to do the right thing for postal workers.

Tell Congress: Renew ACP and Keep Families Connected! 

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) currently helps nearly 23 million households access high speed broadband, providing $30 per month to qualify families for affordable internet access. This mean more families online, and more jobs for CWA members. But funding is running out. Unless Congress acts NOW to renew ACP, the program will end by April 2024.

Tell Congress to support the bipartisan ACP Extension Act, support good job, and keep families connected! 

Maricopa Area Labor Federation State of the Union Watch Party

Are you a union member eager to stay informed about the latest developments in the labor movement? Then mark your calendars for March 7th and join us from 5:30PM to 8:00 PM for the Maricopa Area Labor Federation "State of the Union Watch Party"! The State of the Union Address is an annual event where the President of the United States reports to Congress on the current state of the country and outlines his legislative agenda for the upcoming year. As a union member, it's important to stay informed about the political landscape and the policies that affect our daily lives. Don't miss out on this chance to be a part of the conversation - sign up today and secure your spot!

2024 NALC Branch 1902's Wheely Good Cause: Sip & Support for MDA!

$5 Per Ticket Entry or $20 for 5 Tickets 

Each ticket purchased contributes to the cause, aiding research and assistance for those living with Muscular Dystrophy, ALS, and related Neuromuscular Diseases. Join NALC 1902 in raising funds for a noble cause while having the chance to wheel away a treasure trove of beverages. Cheers to charity and making a meaningful difference! 

Arizona AFL-CIO Building Bridges: Free Citizenship Fair 

Join us in facilitating the process of obtaining citizenship for the more than 200,000 eligible Arizonans! The Arizona AFL-CIO is proud to offer the first Citizenship Fair in which applicants will be helped in the process of completing their paperwork and submitting their applications with the help of our amazing Labor affiliates and community partners. Please feel free to share and distribute this flyer and/or information about this Citizenship fair to potentially interested members/individuals/communities! 

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].

'Hard Time Getting Management to Hear Me': Meet a 28-year-old Starbucks Manager Who Demoted Himself

"Fenrir Larsen, a 28-year-old barista at Starbucks, loves coffee. He tells Fortune he “could talk to you about coffee for a long time,” waxing rhapsodic about the way it’s grown (one tree makes just one pound of coffee), the history of the bean, the chemistry of roasting, even the unroasted coffee cherries, or green coffee, that flavors Refreshers with a taste more like juice. Other things he loves: the company he works for—and its union."

Black History Month Hold Special Meaning for Dearborn Woman

"Shavon Baker is well known for planning and promoting a vast number of activities year-round for residents on and off the campus of Beaumont Commons, Dearborn – including speakers and programs about Black History month in February. What few residents and staff may know is that Black history holds special significance for Baker, the community’s activities supervisor. She is a direct descendant of Frederick Douglass, a leader of the abolitionist movement to help end the practice of slavery before and after the American Civil War."

The Auto Workers Go All In 

"By devoting $40 million to its campaign to organize non-union auto plants, the UAW is challenging not just orportate America but also the labor's status quo."

Anheuser-Busch, Teamsters Reach Labor Agreement That Avoids US Strike 

"The union had threatened a strike at the brewer’s 12 U.S. plants if an agreement on a new five-year contract wasn’t reached by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday. The Teamsters union represents 5,000 Anheuser-Busch workers who brew and package beer and even take care of the company’s legendary Clydesdale horses."

AFM Secures Tentative Agreement AMPTP, Delivering Historic Wins for Musicians

"The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on the Basic Theatrical Motion Picture and Basic Television Motion Picture contracts. The agreement, unanimously recommended by the bargaining committee, represents a significant victory for musicians working in film and television."

Agriculture Community Fights to Ensure Fairness for Farmworkers and Rights to Unionize 

"On Wednesday, dozens of people gathered downtown ahead of a preliminary Injunction hearing. The hearing was scheduled to address the concerns of farmworkers and farmers. “Whether you’re a farmworker, a nurse, a trades or a barista, we are here to improve the lives and increase the power of working families. To bring fairness and dignity to the workplace and secure social equity,” said Peter DeJesus, who is the president of the WNY Area Labor Federation."

Labor Secretary Su Meets with Latino Poultry Industry Workers Facing Abuse, Threats 

"The acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor visited with Latino workers and organizers in Mississippi's poultry industry last week to discuss abuses and threats levied against them – as well as how the federal agency can better protect them. The roundtable, which was attended by dozens of workers and community members from across the state, was held at the Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity in west Jackson, where many expressed familiarity with the conditions leading to 16 year-old Duvan Tomas Perez's death at the Mar Jac poultry plant in Hattiesburg last July. Perez, a 16 year old Indigenous Mayan who relocated to Mississippi from Guatemala’s northern highlands with his family in 2017, was pulled into a piece of power-driven chicken processing equipment while working as a nighttime custodian. He was heard yelling for help for several minutes before he perished, according to the incident report, but the equipment was not shut down."

Tempe Hotel Workers are Picketing Their Employer, and Guests Are Checking Out in Solidarity 

“Workers have been picketing nearly every weekday morning for the past month after David Borg, a Tempe Mission Palms employee who told The Copper Courier he’d worked at the hotel for over a year, was suspended at the end of January."

FTC and Arizona AG Sue to Stop Fry's Parent Kroger from $24. Billion Acquisition of Albertsons

“The transaction involves Cincinnati-based Kroger (NYSE: KR), the nation’s largest operator of traditional supermarkets — which also operates Fry's Food Stores and Smith's stores in Arizona — and Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons, the U.S.’s second-largest such supermarket operator — which operates Safeway stores in Arizona. The deal has faced antitrust scrutiny from regulators and opposition from Congress members, attorneys general, unions and others."

Hobbs Again Rips Regents for 'Failed' Oversight of U of A Finances 

"The governor’s statement, released Monday, also attacked ABOR Chair Fred DuVal’s legal threats against UA Faculty Senate Chair Leila Hudson. DuVal sent Hudson a cease-and-desist letter last week after she accused him of a potential conflict of interest for his previous employment at Amicus Investors, which DuVal called defamatory and Hudson said was protected speech."

Arizona Attorney General Sues RealPage, Landlords Over Alleged Rend Price-Fixing Scheme

“Mayes announced the lawsuit on Wednesday against the Richardson, Texas-based software company and multifamily complex operators, claiming the “illegal practices” of the defendants caused Phoenix and Tucson residents to pay millions of dollars more in rent at a time when inflation was at a historic high. The suit alleges landlords conspired with RealPage — a company that provides detailed, non-public leasing data via its revenue management software — to use that information to determine which units to rent and at what price."

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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]