John, 

National Apprenticeship Week (November 17–23) is a time to celebrate the incredible opportunities that apprenticeships provide to working people, their families, and our communities. These programs help secure good-paying jobs and create a path to building diverse union jobs

Working people gain valuable, paid work experience through apprenticeships while learning a trade. This type of education ensures apprentices are prepared for successful, lifelong careers.

Here are top three apprenticeship facts:

• $80,000 – The average starting salary after completing a registered apprenticeship.

• 94% – The percentage of apprentices who stay on the job after completing their program.

• $300,000+ – The lifetime earning advantage of an apprenticeship graduate compared to peers without an apprenticeship.

The Biden-Harris Administration is helping to expand these programs with the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative, which aims to hire 10,000 new apprentices and recruit individuals from underrepresented communities, including women—who are still too often left out of the trades.

Skilled women in trades aren’t just breaking barriers—they’re making our workforce stronger. A recent article, Women in Construction Find Solidarity as ‘Sisters in the Brotherhood,’ shows how unions help women in trades support each other and build lasting careers. One woman shared how becoming a carpenter gave her financial freedom and a community of support. That’s what unions do—they help people succeed and create opportunities. You can check out the full article here.

For decades, the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (WAI) has been a leader in building and expanding apprenticeship programs. Since 1968, WAI has connected unions, employers, community partners, and training organizations to create pathways for high-quality, union jobs. Learn more online here. 

This week, let’s celebrate apprenticeships and the doors they open for good, union jobs. Apprenticeships don’t just teach skills—they build better futures and stronger communities.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Arizona AFL-CIO Building Bridges: Free Citizenship Fair

The Arizona AFL-CIO is prepared to host another Citizenship Fair, where applicants will receive free assistance from dedicated volunteer attorneys in completing their N-400 applications and preparing their paperwork for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

This is open to union members, their families, and friends. We would like to confirm 30+ applicants before finalizing time and location for the workshop. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Arizona AFL-CIO's Training Specialist, Esau Gutierrez at [email protected]. 

Click HERE to download, share, print English and Spanish Flyers. 

LCSA 6th Annual 5K Cupcake Chase Walk & Run

Labor's Community Service Agency (LCSA) provides different programs for families including affordable housing, and SHIFT (an affordable transportation program). Join them for their annual Cupcake Chase at Arizona Falls in Phoenix. 

Register to participate, become a volunteer, or become a sponsor. All proceeds are to benefit LCSA. If you have any questions, please contact Rebekah Friend at [email protected]. 

Call Your Senator - Support the Social Security Fairness Act

This bill passed the House of Representatives and is now awaiting a vote in the Senate. The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (S. 597) would restore fairness and increase many workers’ Social Security benefits. This legislation can make a huge difference in the lives of millions of workers. 

Encourage your Senator to work with leadership to get a floor vote on the Social Security Fairness Act before the end of the session. 

Tell Congress: VOTE NO on H.R. 9495! Defend Nonprofit Workers Now

This week the U.S. House is voting on H.R. 9495, a bill which includes a provision that would disempower nonprofits and pose a threat to critical organizations supporting communities nationwide.

This legislation threatens nonprofit workers at ProPublica, the Texas Tribune, Spotlight PA, American Civil Liberties Union affiliates, the Natural Resource Defense Council, Southern Poverty Law Center and more who are members of The NewsGuild-CWA.

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 Fight to Unionize US Call Center Workers

"In the US, the past 40 years have seen the explosive growth of a new call center workforce, which now employs nearly 4 million people. Despite vigorous organizing efforts, the sector remains largely nonunion."

Workers' Rights Should Remain Front and Center in Competitiveness Drive

"As the EU turns its focus to economic performance, there is a pressing need to ensure bloc-wide workplace wellbeing, social rights and working conditions are upheld."

AFL-CIO Applauds NLRB Decision to Ban Captive Audience Meetings

"Today, the NLRB again demonstrated its commitment to working people with the decision to ban captive audience meetings, a coercive tool bosses regularly use to gain an unfair advantage before union elections."

Virginia Botanical Garden Workers to Vote on Unionization 

"The garden employs about 60 workers eligible to unionize, but also relies on an extensive volunteer network. Employees from multiple departments at the botanical garden, including horticulture, education and operations, expressed concern their voices and suggestions are not being heard by their management."

Arapahoe Basin Patrollers Take Step Towards Unionizing at Colorado Ski Area 

"After gathering around 70% support from the 60 or so ski patrol members working at Arapahoe Basin, the employees of the local ski mountain are now on the path to unionization, thanks in part to the governance of Communications Workers of America."

Striking Union Hotel Workers March Downtown as Conflict Nears Two Months 

"Several hundred striking Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott hotel workers and supporters marched noisily through the cold, rainy streets of downtown San Francisco on Wednesday toward the luxurious Palace Hotel to press their demands for better pay and working conditions."

Hollywood Intimacy Coordinators Unanimously Vote to Unionize Under SAG-AFTRA 

"Members of the bargaining unit voted 100% in favor of unionization in an official election overseen by the National Labor Relations board, the union announced Tuesday."

CWA Exposes How AT&T's Dangerous Gigapower Business Model Undermines Good Jobs and Public Safety in Arizona

“As the City of Phoenix considers a licensing agreement with the private-equity backed broadband company, The Gigapower Gamble: How AT&T and BlackRock are Undermining Broadband Quality, Safety and Jobs in Arizona highlights considerable evidence of substandard practices from subcontractors already working on the project in Arizona."

Boycott the Sarah Brightman Show

"Gina Corso/Jersey Gina Entertainment is contracting musicians for the Sarah Brightman show at Arizona Financial, This entity is on the International Unfair List."

Boeing Lays Off More Than 180 Employees in Mesa 

"The Boeing Company has laid off 184 employees in Mesa, according to a notice filed with the Arizona Job Connection on Wednesday."

After 'counting ballots faster than we ever have' Maricopa County Certified Its Election Results  

"The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors certified results of the general election Thursday afternoon, clearing the way for recounts to officially begin. Maricopa County Election officials and some members of the board stressed that the county tallied a record-breaking number of ballots in a shorter period of time than in previous elections, seemingly a response to calls for reforms to the counting process."

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]