john, 

We are getting so close to Election Day, and I know you all have been putting so much effort into making sure we elect candidates that protect and understand working families. This week's issue was written by our Training Specialist, Esau Gutierrez.

"We are now 11 days away from election day 2024. With so much on the line for working families and communities, we are all doing our best to pitch in in our best capacity. For some, that comes through donations, postcards, phone calls, or even knocking on doors. Door-knocking this 2024 election cycle has been a mix of everything: fun, interesting, exciting, hot, rainy, windy, and sometimes too scary.

Throughout this campaign, we’ve had countless wonderful conversations with potential voters through phone calls and door knocks. However, we are all too aware of the flip side of unpleasant interactions, folks who could be having a better day. From sighs and door slams to screams and very real threats of violence. Door-knocking canvassers are at the forefront of this battleground campaign, and we cannot do enough to sincerely thank them for their selfless work this 2024 campaign cycle.

Throughout this ‘LABOR VOTES 2024’ campaign, we have set unprecedented records for the battleground state of Arizona. With 350,000+ contact attempts, more than 25,000 conversations, and 11 days to go, we know that the Arizona AFL-CIO and its affiliate unions and community organizations will make a difference in this election. We are all too aware of the countless amazing, pro-labor candidates who have lost in Arizona by razor-thin margins, from a couple hundred to single-digit vote differences.

And that is why we fight; that is why we persist through adversity and pull through for each other to the finish line. We all know that for every unpleasant, unfortunately, scary conversation, we will meet hundreds of thousands of amazing, hard-working, and loving union members and their families. Folks who just want a fair shake in this economy. Working families ‘...that not only want to get by but get ahead’, as Vice President Kamala Harris so often shares.

As the home stretch of this campaign comes closer and closer to Tuesday, November 5th, let's keep in our hearts and minds the wonderful, hard-working folks making the daily phone calls and door knocks that will deliver the Grand Canyon State for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. For a better shake to all working families and communities, let’s continue to do all in our power and ability to elect pro-union candidates up and down the ballot."

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

✊ Solidarity Event with OPIN & IUPAT - 10/26

Join us for a Solidarity Rally this weekend! We will be joining forces with union members and allies from across the country and show the power of labor and community in action this election cycle. We'll be teaming up with Organized Power in Labor, United Farm Workers, UFCW, Teamsters, Unite Here, Fuente, LUCHA, and AZ Poder to hear from special guests. With so much at stake in this election, it's never been more urgent to get out the vote. Let's come together, hit the streets, and show the power of our collective voice!  

✊ NALC Day of Action Phonebank - 10/27

National Association of Letter Carriers invites fellow Arizona Letter Carriers to join NALC Branches 576, 1902, and 6156! This is an opportunity to make a difference in the upcoming election by helping elect labor-endorsed candidates who stand with working families. The stakes are high and early voting has begun, and every call we make brings us closer to ensuring that pro-worker candidates win their races. With your help, we can make sure our voices are heard and that candidates who understand the importance of fair wages, benefits, and workers' rights are elected into office. 

Training will be provided on site by Arizona AFL-CIO Training Specialist Esau Gutierrez. To participate, please click on the link above to RSVP! Together, we can make a powerful impact. 

📞 Daily Phonebanks with Arizona AFL-CIO

The AZ AFL-CIO is hosting daily phonebank sessions to support our labor-endorsed candidates from now until Election Day! Your voice can make a difference in ensuring pro-worker candidates win their races 

When: Daily, now through Election Day 

Time: Flexible shifts available to fit your schedule

Who: Union members, volunteers, and labor allies 

Click on either Phoenix or Tucson to sign up to phonebank!

🚪 Daily Canvasses with Arizona AFL-CIO

The AZ AFL-CIO is hosting daily canvasses to support our labor-endorsed candidates from now until Election Day! Your voice can make a difference in ensuring pro-worker candidates win their races 

When: Daily, now through Election Day 

Time: Flexible shifts available to fit your schedule

Who: Union members, volunteers, and labor allies 

Click on either Phoenix or Tucson to sign up to phonebank!

AARA Thursday Phonebanks

Join the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans (AARA) for a weekly phonebank! Every Thursday, from now until Election Day (Nov. 5th), you can join virtually or in person at the IUPAT Hall. You'll be calling to other union households and encouraging them to vote for labor-endorsed candidates 

Let's Support Our Florida Communities

This is a difficult time for many, and it’s important that we come together as a community to offer support in any way we can.

LCLAA National, LCLAA Central Florida Chapter, have joined Giving4Hope to help to collect donations for crucial relief items like canned goods, baby formula, and cleanup tools, as well as funds to assist with recovery from potential damage. 

We encourage everyone to lend a helping hand. Your donations can make a significant impact!

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].

Latinos Are Ready to Vote for Abortion Rights This November 

"The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate."

WNBPA Opts Out of CBA as Players Prepare for Delicate Negotiation, Potential Work Stoppage

"A union source confirmed to The Athletic that players are prepared to negotiate for as long as it takes to reach a new agreement, even if it means a work stoppage. ESPN was first to report on a potential stoppage. However, both sides appear willing to enter the talks with good faith efforts to strike a new agreement and avoid a lapse in gameplay."

Austin Journalist Secure Tentative Agreement After 21-Hour Mediation with Gannett

"The deal, which needs to be ratified by members, comes after more than three years of negotiations, numerous unfair labor practices (ULPs) and relentless pressure from Guild members on management."

CVS Workers Strike at 7 Southern California Stores for Better Pay and Health Care 

"The walkout, which affected four stores in Los Angeles and three in Orange County, began Friday morning and continued into the weekend. On Saturday outside one of the LA stores, strikers urged customers not to cross the picket lines."

Boeing Workers Resoundingly Reject New Contract and Extend Strike 

"The vote, hours after Boeing reported a $6.1 billion loss, will extend a nearly six-week-long strike at factories where the company makes its best-selling commercial plane."

Student Loans for Over 1 Million Public Service Workers Forgiven Under PSLF Program 

"A program that had been in shambles under the previous administration has, thanks to numerous fixes made by the Biden-Harris administration, now forgiven $74 billion in student loans held by public service workers, including AFSCME members."

Proposition 449 Would Increase Minimum Wage to $20 Per Hour for Glendale Hotel/Event Workers 

"Brendan Walsh, executive director of labor organization Worker Power, said the proposition is about giving hotel and event workers a living wage and more protections. The current minimum wage for those workers is $14.35."

Piedmont Airlines Passenger Service & Ramp Workers Rally at PHX to Demand Fair Pay, Health Care, and Workplace Safety 

"After over a year of negotiations for a new bargaining agreement, CWA passenger service and ramp workers will rally outside Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to demand better pay, health care for part-time employees, and safety conditions on the job."

Seniors for Harris Event in Phoenix 

“Rep. Gallego and Attorney General Mayes spoke at the event on Thursday afternoon."

Ballots Damaged in USPS Mailbox Fire in Phoenix 

"A blue U.S. Postal Service mailbox in Phoenix was set on fire overnight, damaging several ballots and other pieces of mail, authorities said. Local law enforcement officials arrested a 35-year-old man in connection to the incident, which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. local time Thursday. The suspect, identified as Dieter B. Klofkorn, admitted committing arson but said it was not related to election, police said at a news conference."

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]