John, 

We are thrilled to announce the National AFL-CIO's unanimous endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 Presidential Election. Since the beginning, Vice President Harris has spearheaded the most labor-friendly administration we've seen in decades. Her passionate advocacy for workers’ rights, support for the PRO Act, and fearless confrontation of anti-union pressures to safeguard workers' pensions highlight her unwavering commitment to working families.

Following a unanimous vote by the AFL-CIO's Executive Council, which represents 60 unions and 12.5 million workers, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler highlighted Vice President Harris’s consistent support for labor:

“From day one, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a true partner in leading the most pro-labor administration in history. At every step in her distinguished career in public office, she’s proven herself a principled and tenacious fighter for working people and a visionary leader we can count on. From taking on Wall Street and corporate greed to leading efforts to expand affordable child care and support vulnerable workers, she’s shown time and again that she’s on our side. With Kamala Harris in the White House, together we’ll continue to build on the powerful legacy of the Biden-Harris administration to create good union jobs, grow the labor movement, and make our economy work for all of us.”

Shuler continued, “The AFL-CIO is proud of our early and steadfast support for the Biden-Harris administration, and now we’ll ratchet up our mass mobilization of union workers to elect Vice President Harris as president. Like Harris, the labor movement doesn’t back down—and we’ll never shy away from a tough fight when the future of workers and unions is on the line. Together, we will defeat Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and their devastating anti-worker Project 2025 agenda in November.”

As we look ahead to the 2024 election, the Arizona AFL-CIO is committed to rallying our members and allies to ensure a victory for Vice President Harris. Under her leadership, she will continue to protect and advance the interests of working families.

Read full statement here. 

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

2024 AZ AFL-CIO Labor Day Luncheon 

Join us for an inspiring event to celebrate the achievements of workers and the benefits of belonging to a union.This year's theme is "It's Better in a Union," highlighting the positive impact of collective bargaining and solidarity in the workplace.

Event Details:

🗓️Friday, August 30, 2024

⏰Registration Begins @ 9:00 AM - Program Begins @ 11:00 AM

📍Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, 7767 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020

👚Business Casual

Important: This year registration and ticket purchases will be done by completing a form. We ask that if you are sponsoring a table or purchasing multiple tickets, you have a list of the names of those who are attending ready to input. All payments can be made via PayPal, check, or cash and sent to our office at 3117 N. 16th St., STE 200, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Registration closes on Friday, August 23, 2024.

If you are unable to attend, but would still like to donate, please do so here: PayPal Donation Link

Tenants' Rights Clinic by Organized Power in Numbers 

Organized Power in Numbers; formally known as Unemployed Workers United is partnering with Puente and Community Legal services, invites you to learn about your tenant rights and get the help you need. 

Event Details: 

• Date: Monday, July 29th 
• Time: 6PM
• Location: Puente, 1937 W. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 

*See flyer below ⤵️

Make a Donation to the San Carlos Apache Tribe 

On July 10th the Watch Fire broke out, buring 2,162 acres on the San Carlos Apache Reservation; leaving hundreds of people to evacuate, homes destroyed and residents homeless.  Now that the fire has been contained, families are still impacted. If you feel inclined to help, any contribution, no matter the size can make a significant difference in helping these families rebuild and recover. 

MCYD 2nd Annual Back to School Shoe Drive 

Join the Maricopa County Young Democrats, Tempe Union High School District and help give back to the community by providing necessary resources to students and giving parents one less thing to worry about. 100% of the contributions will go towards acquiring sneakers for schoolchildren from Pre-K to Highschool. 

Consider making a contribution today by clicking on the button below or dropping off shoes and backpacks to our office to deliver to MCYD on August 17th. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to [email protected]. 

If We Don't Get Your Help Now, It's Game Over

Starbucks Workers United Red for Bread

Tell Natural Grocers: Reinstate Unjustly Terminated Workers! 

Natural Grocers employees are being terminated in the middle of a union campaign to improve their store for workers and customers alike. Take Action to support them by calling Natural Grocers HR and demanding their immediate reinstatement!

National COSH - Demand Heat Justice Petition 

Workers are falling ill and dying at alarming rates due to heat illness. Extreme heat causes as many as 2,000 worker fatalities in the U.S. each year, and up to 170,000 workers are injured in heat stress-related accidents annually. 

On July 2, 2024, OSHA announced a proposed Heat Standard - now the White House must continue to act with urgency. Please click on the button below to sign this petition to demand that the White House quickly enact full and final heat protections. 

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 additional endorsements! 

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

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! 

Union Plus - Unions Power America

Unions Power America returns with the “thank you” of a lifetime – $50,000 + a bucket-list trip to Spain, courtesy of Collette!

Enter a stand-out union member you know (or yourself) and they could win these giant “thank you’s” OR the other $90,000 we've got in our pocket to give away!

Money and trips aren’t everything, BUT they’re a darned good way to show appreciation to the people making us proud to be UNION!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to U.S. residents; 18+; current or retired union members in good standing with a union nationally affiliated with the AFL-CIO. The Contest is not open to the general public. Ends 7/30/24. Void where prohibited. For Official Rules & complete eligibility details visit https://unionplus.click/unionspoweramerica. Sponsor: Union Privilege.

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].

The Power of 'We"

"We are approaching a critical moment for both our union and the country. As I travel around the country, speaking with union members, I’ve been emphasizing the only thing that can ensure our continued success: The Power of 'We.'"

How Donald Trump Worked to Destroy America's Labor Unions

"During his decades as a wealthy businessman, Trump clashed with unions repeatedly. And, upon becoming president, he appointed people much like himself, from corporate backgrounds and hostile toward workers, to head key government agencies and departments. Naturally, an avalanche of anti-union policies followed."

SAG-AFTRA Members Who Work on Video Games Go on Strike

"SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, acting under the authority delegated by the SAG-AFTRA National Board, and with the unanimous advice and counsel of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee, called a strike of the Interactive Media Agreement, effective July 26 at 12:01 a.m. Today’s vote to strike comes after more than a year and a half of negotiations without a deal."

Mark Kelly Endorses the PRO Act 

"The Arizona senator told HuffPost he would vote for the pro-labor legislation, voicing his commitment to unions as he's considered for the Democratic ticket."

Disneyland Employees Advert Strike With Tentative Labor Agreement 

"A tentative agreement was reached between Disney and the company's theme park and resort workers in California, averting a strike, according to a union statement. Thousands of workers at Disney's theme park and resort properties voted late Friday to authorize the potential strike, as contract negotiations dragged on over wages, sick leave and other benefits. A union statement issued Wednesday morning said its goals were achieved in a three-year contract that includes wage increases."

Arborists in Virginia Become First-Ever Residential Tree Care Workers to Unionize in U.S. 

"Over 30 arborists working at Truetimber in Richmond, Va., have become the first unionized residential tree care company in the United States after voting to join the IAM. The company founder’s promise to sell the company to employees was broken when it was sold to a private equity firm. The new ownership canceled the profit-sharing program without notice, prompting the workers to unionize with IAM Local 10 (District 2020). Despite efforts by the new parent company and a union-busting firm hired to prevent it, the union vote passed overwhelmingly."

Support for Unions Growing Strong Among Young Workers 

"Support for organized labor is at a high not seen since the 1960s, with 71% of Americans saying they approve of unions, according to Gallup. Among members of Generation Z, unions have a 64.3% approval rating, according to the Center for American Progress."

Dolores Huerta Boosts Kamala Harris at Arizona Rally as Campaign Focuses on Labor 

“Dolores Huerta, labor leader and civil rights activist, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president during a trip to Arizona, telling supporters that they need to recruit their friends, neighbors and even their “exes” to get out the vote and help Harris win on Nov. 5."

Legal Fight Continues with Appeals Over Proposed Immigration Initiative  

"Immigrant advocates kept the issue alive this week by filing notice to the state Supreme Court that they will appeal the judge’s ruling. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge on July 12 rejected an effort by the advocates to keep the proposed initiative off the ballot. The advocates argue that the measure breaks the rules because it deals with more than a single subject."

New Phoenix Children's in Glendale Set to Open to Public in Early August

“This vision for expansion first started to take shape 20 years ago, Meyer said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday morning. Ground broke on the construction of the new hospital in November 2021. Now, it’s set to open on Aug. 7."

Arizona AG Demands Phoenix Apartment Complex Fixes A/C

“The Buenas on 32^nd apartment complex in Phoenix has received a cease-and-desist letter from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to fix an air-conditioning problem that is affecting up to 400 units during one of the hottest summers on record."

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]