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AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler recently spoke about the importance of prioritizing environmental justice and racial justice in the fight for workers' rights. As we approach Earth Day, she emphasized the need for a united front of labor, climate justice, and racial justice leaders to build a better future with clean water, pollution-free air, and a healthier planet. Read President Liz Shuler's words below and learn about how the AFL-CIO is organizing a Climate, Equity and Jobs Roundtable to bring together these movements for the first time in history.

"Monday is Earth Day—a critical moment to deepen our commitment to centering environmental justice and racial justice in our fight for worker rights. To mark this occasion, the AFL-CIO will host a Climate, Equity and Jobs Roundtable, bringing together for the first time in our history the labor, racial justice and environmental justice movements for the first in a series of convenings.

The reality is workers of color in our country and around the world bear the brunt of the climate emergency we’re facing. They are disproportionately affected by record-setting temperatures and other climate-related weather hazards. Many of them are the first on the scene when climate disasters hit, or they may live and work in the areas that are the most heavily impacted by pollution due to generations of racist infrastructure and city planning that saw their neighborhoods as expendable.

It seems like every season we experience another heartbreaking climate disaster, and we can’t wait to take action. The time is now for the labor movement to shore up its focus on a clean energy future that’s equitable. Corporations and the lawmakers they own are not going to bend over backward to protect working people from environmental catastrophe. It’s on us to build a united front of labor, climate justice and racial justice leaders so we can fight together for workplace protections and policy investments that will build a brighter future with clean water, pollution-free air and a healthier planet made possible by quality, family-sustaining union jobs.

President Biden’s administration is already hard at work building out the federal funding for helping jump-start this massive fight. And I’m here to tell you, the labor movement is standing arm in arm with our allies alongside him. Because climate change is union business." - Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President 

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Rally for Cannabis Workers! 

Since 2010, they've been the backbone of our communities, serving patients and customers with dedication. Now, as the industry booms into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, it's time to ensure these workers aren't left behind. Rally with us on 420 for justice, safer working conditions, fair wages, and dignity on the job. Details below:

WHERE: Curaleaf Camelback, 1040 E Camelback Rd Ste A, Phoenix, AZ 85014 WHEN: 10 AM - 12 PM

MALF's 2024 Workers' Memorial Day Breakfast

Each day, more than 340 workers are killed and more than 6,000 suffer injury and illness because of dangerous working conditions that are preventable. 

Join the Maricopa Area Labor Federation to honor Arizona workers who passed away due to work-related injury or illness in 2023. 

📅 April 26th, 2024 at 9:00 - 11:00AM 

📍 Teamsters Local 104, 1450 S. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009

*Please Share Widely

AFL-CIO Governance, Education, and Training - Spring 2024

Click on the button below to access a list of over ten virtual and in person trainings that the National AFL-CIO is offering this spring! 

Tell Your Legislators to VOTE NO on HB2274! 

HB2274 deals with creating special tax districts for theme parks and stadiums. These special tax districts can levy as much as a 9% sales tax within the district's bounds, which can be used by developers to recover construction-related debt. Currently, for a development company to get this kind of deal, it would have to get approval from the city that wants to bring this project in. This legislation would remove City input on the ability to approve that surcharge, even if it is fully within that city’s limits.   

How Critical Is the ACP to Americans? 

Access to the internet is crucial in today's interconnected world. The Affordable Connectivity Program has been a lifeline for millions, but its funding is about to dry up in just TWO WEEKS. Without it, many will have to choose between the internet and other essentials. We can't let that happen. Contact Congress today and urge them to fund the ACP to ensure everyone stays connected!

Protect Tipped Workers: Oppose SCR 1040 NOW! 

Tipped workers across Arizona face a critical threat to their livelihoods, and they urgently need your support. SCR 1040 poses a grave danger, casting a shadow over the financial security of these hardworking individuals.

In 2016, voters approved The Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act (Proposition 206), a vital step toward ensuring fair treatment for all workers, including tipped employees. SCR 1040 now looms, potentially eroding the hard-won progress of fair compensation for workers.

We urge you to take action now by writing to your legislators. Stand in solidarity with tipped workers by opposing the SCR 1040. Your voice matters, and together, we can protect the rights and dignity of hardworking individuals who rely on tips to make ends meet.

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].

Older Americans Are Working Longer. Some Want To; Other Have To

"How long will baby boomers keep working? For some, the answer is forever."

Young Voters Won't Fall for Politicians Who Attempt to Hide Their Anti-Abortion Stance in 2024

"Youth activists across the state refuse to allow these candidates to backpedal on the damage they caused. Organizations with large youth followings, like the Maricopa County Young Democrats, Progress Arizona, Indivisible Arizona and LUCHA have all used their platforms to call out the hypocrisy of Ciscomani, Gress and others."

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy File for Union Vote at Disneyland 

"Disneyland employees who perform as many of the theme park’s beloved characters have filed to have a vote on whether to join the Actors’ Equity Association, which represents live performers all over the country, from actors on Broadway to strippers in Los Angeles. The group had announced a union organizing effort in February, but very often such campaigns fall short of filing to hold a vote. But the union announced Wednesday that it has filed cards signed by more than two-thirds of the 1,700 employees, seeking to have the National Labor Relations Board conduct an election."

US DOL to Award Up To $67.1M to Help Youth, Young Adults With Disabilities Overcome Obstacles to Employment

"Administered by the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Employment and Training Administration, the Equitable Transition Model Demonstration grants support efforts to identify evidence-based solutions that enhance the training and employment prospects of disabled youth and young adults. Each award recipient will focus on specific populations, determined through data analysis and needs assessments."

Sen. Bernie Sanders Joins Picketers Outside Downtown LA Hotel 

"More than 100 people from the UNITE HERE Local 11 picketed outside Hotel Figueroa on Monday, hoping their rallying cry resonates with management of the downtown hotel and that ownership will agree to increase salaries and benefits for its employees."

Indian Unions Fight for Workers' Rights 

"According to the Directorate General Factory Advice and Labour Insitutes, since 2021, every year, there have been at least 1,029 accidents, resulting in the death of over 1,000 workers and causing serious injuries to more than 3,000 others. Work-related injuries and illnesses remain largely undocumented, particularly as victims are predominantly precarious workers."

Dept. of Labor's 'Bearing the Costs' Research Shows Gender, Racial Wage Gap Costs Billions Annually 

"New research released by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has revealed that Black women lost $42.7 billion in wages compared to white men in 2023, and Hispanic women lost $53.3 billion. These losses are driven entirely by the fact that Black and Hispanic women are concentrated disproportionately in jobs that, on average, pay lower wages than those held by white men."

Curaleaf Marijuana Store Workers in Arizona Plan 4/20 Protest 

"That's because the New York-based mulistate operator canceled a planned employee raise after federal labor regulators in February ordered Curaleaf to begin long-delayed contract negotiations, according to a Wednesday news release from the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 99."

Union Fighting to Get Former Phoenix City Hall Custodian's Job Back 

“Arizona unions are protesting the recent firing of a long-time Phoenix City Hall custodian. The company the city contracts for cleaning recently let the employee go for violating the dress code; however, she and a local union chapter feel her firing was retaliation."

Tucson Officials Keeping Public Transit Fare-Free Until At Least June 2025

“Tucson’s public transit will remain free to ride until at least June 2025, Mayor Regina Romero reiterated at a study session Tuesday where the city council discussed more revenue options to keep it free indefinitely — from hotel or utility taxes to lottery dollars and partnerships."

Arizona Senate Keeps Effort to Repeal Abortion Ban in Play

“A bill that would repeal Arizona’s 160-year-old abortion ban was successfully introduced in the state Senate on Wednesday after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives failed to advance a similar effort. The Senate effort was rescued with the help of two Republicans, state Sens. T.J. Shope and Shawnna Bolick, who sided with Democrats in the GOP-controlled chamber to allow the bill to go forward by a vote of 16 to 14. The bill, which required a special vote since it was filed after the legislature’s normal deadline, must still move through the full legislative process in the Senate, which requires consideration for three days before a final vote and potential move to the House."

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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]