John, 

We’re so excited to share the news about The Phoenix Symphony and its musicians agreeing on a new contract last week on June 27th. This is a huge win for everyone involved and a big step forward for the arts in Arizona!

The Phoenix Symphony, our state's biggest performing arts group, has always been about bringing amazing music to people all over the state. This new one-year contract, which lasts until November 1, 2025, shows just how dedicated everyone is to keeping the music alive and strong. With a 4% pay raise for the musicians, bringing back two positions, and setting up a new insurance task force, this agreement means better support for the talented folks who make the music happen.

Peter Kjome, the President and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony, had some great things to say about the process: "The Phoenix Symphony is one of Arizona’s most important cultural assets. I appreciate the productive and collaborative conversations with our musicians as we work together with our Board, staff, and other leaders with the support of our community to chart the course toward a bright future for our great orchestra and make that future a reality."

Mark Deatherage, Phoenix Symphony Associate Principal Violist and the lead negotiator for AFM Local 586, also shared his thoughts: "Our colleagues continue to be committed to the success of The Phoenix Symphony, and we are encouraged by the progress represented by this agreement. This is an important step as we seek to advance our symphony orchestra, its programs, and its people."

We’re especially thrilled to see familiar faces like Tessa Gotman Bock and Lon Babby playing important roles in this achievement. Tessa, who played at our Labor Day Luncheon last year and is a Phoenix Symphony Violinist and Musicians Contract Review Committee Co-Chair, said, "This is another significant milestone as we collaborate to ensure that Phoenix and Arizona continue to be home to an amazing orchestra for years to come."

The Phoenix Symphony’s 78th season (2024-25) was announced for advanced ticket sales in March, and the season itself will kick off in October 2024. If you want to catch a show, season subscriptions for 2024/25 are available now at phoenixsymphony.org.

Congrats to The Phoenix Symphony and all the musicians for this awesome milestone!

Read the full statement here.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Pinal County Labor 2024 Update Meeting - July 18th

Following up on last month’s meeting in Casa Grande, attendees asked to meet again to talk about the state of labor in Pinal County, ongoing workplace organizing campaigns, and I’ll be reaching out to guest speakers to talk to us about relevant topics. 

Event Details: 

📅Thursday, July 18, 2024 @ 6PM

📍Florence Community Center, 778 N Main St, Florence, AZ 85132

💻RSVP Via Zoom - Click HERE 

Click on the button below to RSVP In-Person

*Food will be provided

Please contact Joe Murphy at [email protected] if you have any comments, concerns, or questions, and please feel free to invite any other unionists in Pinal County to join us!

Apply To Become A Member of One of Governor Hobb's Boards & Commissions 

If you are interested on how you can apply to become a member of one of Governor Hobb's Boards & Commissions, please click on the button below and fill out the form to receive one-on-one help with one of our staff members! 

Apply for the Andy Ward Memorial Scholarship! 

Applications for the Andy Ward Scholarship are now open! Encourage union members and their dependents affiliated with the Maricopa Area Labor Federation (MALF) to apply and seize this valuable opportunity for educational advancement. 

Want to Support the Andy Ward Scholarship Fund? Consider Donating! 

Your contributions will significantly impact the lives of our Brothers and Sisters. Engaging and educating our members and their children within the labor community is crucial for shaping tomorrow’s workforce.

AZ AFL-CIO 2024 Candidate Endorsements 

Mark your calendars for Arizona's Primary Election on July 30th and General Election on November 5th! 

The Arizona AFL-CIO has just released endorsements for Congressional and Senate candidates. Stay tuned for Additional Endorsements coming your way by June 2024. 

Endorsements will be updated on our website: https://azaflcio.org/2024-candidate-endorsements

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].

Most Americans Have No Idea How Anti-Workers the US Supreme Court Has Become 

"The court's current justices are some of the most hostile to labor rights in modern US history."

What Does It Mean to Be a Labor Leader for This Moment?

"Lessons from Mary Kay Henry, the first woman president of SEIU."

Biden Proposes New Rule to Protect 36 Million Workers From Extreme Heat

"If finalized, the measure would protect an estimated 36 million U.S. workers from injuries related to heat exposure on the job — establishing the first major federal safety standard of its kind. Those affected by excessive heat in the workplace include farmworkers, delivery and construction workers, landscapers and indoor workers in warehouses, factories and kitchens."

State Inspectors are Supposed to Visit All Farmworker Housing to Ensure Its Safety. Sometimes They Used FaceTime Instead 

"There, at the aging downtown hotel, he and his roommates say they often waited in line until midnight to use one of only two-and-a-half bathrooms the company provided for dozens of  workers. Rats and cockroaches roamed the rooms, they said, and they took turns sleeping in the one comfortable bed in their room."

Biden Administration's New Overtime Rules Take Effect Monday 

"The increase in salary threshold for employees to collect overtime was announced in April."

$840k Recovered in Wage Theft Investigation into San Diego-area Companies 

"The years-long probe, which was conducted in partnership with the Mexican consulate, looked into the warehouse and logistics companies: Ruffo de Alba Forwarders LP, SAI Logistics Exports Inc. and Moving Technologies of America Inc. According to a release from the Department of Labor on Wednesday, the investigation uncovered evidence that each of these companies “willfully and recklessly shortchanged the affected workers and violated numerous provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.'"

Kroger Union Workers Ratify New Contract with Increased Wages, Better Benefits 

"The new contract provides an immediate wage increase of up to $1.50, along with several other improvements, including more paid time off for workers hired after 2008 with 18 years of service."

Arizona Is Sending Taxpayer Money to Religious Schools - and Billionaires See It As a Model for the US 

“Just a few miles away, the public Paradise Valley Unified School District is shrinking, not expanding. The district shuttered three of its schools last month amid falling enrollment, a cost-saving measure that has disrupted life for hundreds of families. One of the factors behind Dream City’s success and Paradise Valley’s struggles: In Arizona, taxpayer dollars that previously went to public schools like the ones that closed are increasingly flowing to private schools – including those that adopt a right-wing philosophy."

$55M in Federal Funding to Help Southern Arizona Co-Ops Store Power 

"The drive to cleaner energy like solar and enabling technologies like battery energy storage will require investment in workers who bill maintain such systems, Ledger said, citing a new training effort with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. IBEW Local 570, which represents Sierra Southwest workers, is working with Cochise College to boost electrician training, said Joshua DeSpain, the local’s directing business representative."

Arizona Abortion Rights Group Submits Signatures Needed for Ballot Measure 

“An Arizona abortion rights group turned in a petition on Wednesday morning for a ballot measure that would enshrine the right to an abortion in the state's constitution. Arizona for Abortion Access, the organization behind the petition, said it collected 823,685 voter signatures -- more than double the 383,923 signatures required from registered voters to qualify for the November 2024 election."

Arizona Court Nullifies Two City Ordinances on Prevailing Wage 

"The Superior Court of Arizona recently confirmed that state law preempts two local ordinances in Phoenix and Tucson that were set to take effect on July 1, 2024, and would have required construction companies that contract with the cities for certain large projects to pay a prevailing wage."

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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]