john, 

This year’s 12th Annual Arizona AFL-CIO Labor Day Luncheon was a powerful reminder of what makes our labor movement so special. As we came together to celebrate the theme, "It’s Better In A Union," I was struck by the sense of unity, purpose, and strength in the room. Our union family, elected officials, and community partners gathered to honor the hard work of those who fight every day and to reflect on the progress we’ve made as we continue the fight for a better tomorrow.

The day began with an important land acknowledgment from Ervin Jackson, President of the Nal-Nishi Central Labor Council, reminding us to honor the indigenous communities on whose land we stand. 

One of the most meaningful parts of the luncheon was the tribute to our beloved Brother Sam Newsome. His dedication to our movement is unmatched, and it was an honor to present the 1st Annual Sam Newsome Activist of the Year Award to Joe Diggs of the APRI Phoenix Chapter. Joe’s leadership, passion, and commitment to advancing the rights of working people carry on Sam’s legacy. Watching the tribute video and hearing Joe’s words was a reminder that our movement is built on the shoulders of giants like Brother Sam.

We also recognized another outstanding leader, Aaron Butler, Business Manager of UA Local 469 and President of the Arizona State Building Trades and Construction Council, with the Labor Leader of the Year Award. Aaron’s tireless work on behalf of union members has strengthened our movement and lifted up countless workers and their families.

As always, we were proud to highlight the essential role of politics in our fight. Congressman Ruben Gallego, who received the Elected Leader of the Year Award, has been a steadfast ally for working families in Arizona. Though Ruben couldn’t join us in person, his video message reminded us of the critical need for labor voices in politics, especially as we continue to push for policies that protect workers and their rights.

Our keynote speaker, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, brought her wealth of experience as a leader in the labor movement and in government. Hilda’s words were a powerful call to action, reminding us that when workers stand together, we can achieve incredible things.

Finally, one of the most touching moments of the afternoon was the recognition of our stewards—the unsung heroes of our unions. These hardworking individuals are the backbone of our movement, always on the frontlines to protect our jobs, our rights, and our dignity. We honored them with a special video, but the applause they received spoke volumes about the deep respect we all have for the work they do.

For those who couldn’t join us or want to relive the experience, I encourage you to click here to view our digital program, where you’ll find videos, photos, and more from this unforgettable day. 

As we move forward, let’s remember the words we’ve always known to be true: It’s better in a union.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Arizona AFL-CIO Presidential Debate Watch Party!

Special thanks to our union family in IATSE Local 336, 415, and 758! We invite you to share this pivotal moment in the election season with fellow union members. Join us for: 

• Live streaming on a large video wall with top-quality sound and theatrical lighting

• An informal and fun atmosphere

• Complimentary food and beverages (feel free to bring your own to share!)

Click the link below to RSVP ⤵️

Support Striking AT&T Southeast Workers

CWA members are on strike against AT&T in nine states across the southeast. They walked off the job on August 16th. You can support over 17,000 technicians, customer service representatives and others who install, maintain and support AT&T's residential and business wireline telecommunications network by: 

• Sign the Petition 
• Support the Fundraiser 
• Download & Share a Social Media Graphic 

Phonebank With AARA!

Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans will be launching a weekly phonebank! Every Thursday, from now until Election Day (Nov. 5th), you can join either virtually or in-person at the Painters Union Hall. They'll be phonebanking with fellow union retirees, reaching out to union households and encouraging them to vote for labor-endorsed candidates.

RSVP to join virtually or in-person on Thursday, September 12th:

• Click here to join in-person
• Click here to join virtually

Please direct any questions to 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].

Organizing the South — How Black Workers Are Challenging Corporate Power 

"The growing auto manufacturing industry in the South offers a powerful opportunity to bring good jobs to the region. But as these jobs shift from the Midwest to the South, we see a decline in job quality in the sector. Why? The prevailing Southern economic development model disempowers workers, and as a result auto workers in the South: 

Are paid less than their counterparts in other regions, even when their income is adjusted for regional differences in the cost of living;

Report high levels of illness, injury, and even death, amid eroding worker safety protections;

Face anti-union hostility from policymakers and employers, including in the forms of right-to-work laws and union-busting activities."

Teens' First Jobs Must Be Safe Jobs

"Whether you are a parent, a teacher or a member of the community, we all want to ensure that the children in our neighborhoods are safe, healthy and have access to the education they deserve. The child labor protections established in 1938 by the Fair Labor Standards Act were designed to ensure just that — that children have safe, healthy jobs that do not stand in the way of their educational opportunities. At the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, we are dedicated to making these protections a reality for the young people in our community."

Most Striking Hotel Workers Are Back on the Job, but The Strike COntinues In San Diego

"Most of the 10,000 hotel workers who went on strike during the busy Labor Day weekend have returned to work Wednesday, but one group of 700 union members in San Diego will stay on strike for the foreseeable future. Those workers, employed at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, will remain on strike until there is a contract agreement, their union, Unite Here, says."

17,000 AT&T Worker Have Been on Strike for Three Weeks. Here's Why

"About 17,000 AT&T workers in the southeast are still on strike after the Communications Workers of America union withdrew from negotiations over a new contract. Internet service technicians, customer service representatives, and thousands of other workers in nine states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee—walked off the job after contract talks stalled last month."

UFCW Says Membership Growing in State with Organized Cannabis Workers 

"As the U.S. cannabis industry has grown, so has the industry’s participation in organized labor unions, a development worth noting in wake of the Labor Day weekend."

Unions in Higher Education Are Surging, New Report Reveals 

"Unionization has been surging in higher education, according to a new comprehensive report that reveals a 133% increase among graduate student employees in the US since 2012. An estimated 38% of graduate student employees are now unionized, with more than 150,000 workers in 81 bargaining units as of January 2024."

DOE Report Shows Clean Energy Jobs Grew at More Than Twice the Rate of Overall U.S. Employment 

"Spurred by the Biden-Harris Administration’s record investments in climate, clean energy, and manufacturing, clean energy employment increased by 142,000 jobs in 2023, accounting for more than half of new energy sector jobs and growing at a rate more than twice as large as that for the rest of the energy sector and the U.S. economy overall."

Proposed OSHA Rule Could Provide 1st-ever Federally Enforceable Worker Heat Protections

“The newly-posted proposal is the latest step in an effort that began in 2021 — when the agency first announced it was in the process of forming the standards.Only five U.S. states currently have their own heat safety standards for workers. Katelyn Parady, a Phoenix staffer of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, says Arizona is not included in that list."

United Airlines Flight Attendants Vote to Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike 

"United Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said 99.99% of members voted "yes." More than 90% of the union's approximately 28,000 members participated in the vote, they said. The vote came after the union filed for federal mediation more than eight months ago."

Arizona Voters Praise Harris Over Plummeting Cost of Lifesaving Medication 

“A small group gathered outside Melrose Pharmacy in midtown Phoenix Friday to publicly thank the Biden-Harris administration for its successful efforts in lowering the cost of several lifesaving medications. "

Two Years In, the Inflation Reduction Act is Lowering Healthcare Costs and Creating A Clean Energy Jobs Boom in Arizona 

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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]