john, 

I’m excited to share an important report recently released by National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond. This reflects on the incredible strides we’ve made as a labor movement and lays out a bold roadmap for the future.

In the report, President Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Redmond highlight the power of solidarity, the necessity of organizing, and the vital role unions play in shaping an economy that works for everyone. From standing up to corporate greed to advancing pro-worker legislation, this vision inspires and challenges us to continue our fight for fairness and justice in every workplace across the country.

I encourage every union member and ally to read this report. It reminded me why we fight so hard—for fair wages, safe workplaces, and respect on the job. It’s also a call to keep pushing, to keep organizing, and to make sure every worker has the power of a union behind them.

Click here to read the full 2024 AFL-CIO End-of-Year Report.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

2025 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference

Today is the deadline to register! Don’t miss an amazing four days spent honoring Dr. King’s vision on the importance of collective action—in the community, at the polls and in the workplace. Workers will play a critical role in 2025, and we’ll be getting ready to carry on the fight for justice and equality. 

Arizona AFL-CIo 2025 Legislative Committee Meetings 

Join us every Friday at 9:30 AM via Zoom as we prepare for the upcoming 2025 Legislative Committee Meetings. This is an important opportunity for union members to learn about the key issues and topics that will be discussed during the 1st Regular Session of the 57th Legislature.

Stay informed and engaged as we navigate the legislative landscape together and ensure that our voices are heard in the decision-making process.

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]. 

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].

What Is Salting, the Organizing Tactic Spicing Up the Labor Movement? 

"A 2022 report from the Center for American Progress found that Gen Z is the most pro-union generation in the US, and young organizers have been at the forefront of many labor actions in recent years, including the Starbucks union campaign. This new generation of organizers is embracing all sorts of strategies, including one of the oldest tactics in the pro-union handbook: salting."

Unions Brace Themselves as Trump Prepares to Defang Labor Board

"Trump's NLRB will likely be filled with lawyers from the union-busting world hell-bent on rolling back workers' gains."

A New California Law Bans Your Boss from Ordering You to Anti-Union Meetings

"Starting Jan. 1, California employers won’t be able to require workers to attend any meetings related to their political or religious views — or how their bosses feel about unions. That’s according to a new law, Senate Bill 399, that is one of the most prominent of the usual wave of new workplace laws businesses are expected to follow each year."

Park City Ski Patrol 'Disappointed' in Vail Counter Offer as Strike Continues

"The Park City Mountain ski patrol union and Vail Resorts 'remain for' from reaching a contract agreement despite recent negotiations with a federal mediator. It's not clear how long the strike will last."

IAM Union Members at IKEA Perryville Vote to Continue Strike 

"Approximately 320 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local I460, District 4, working at the IKEA Distribution Center in Perryville, Maryland, remain on strike for a fair contract after rejecting the company’s latest proposal on Dec. 27, 2024."

Montana Awarded $3.5 Million Federal Grant to Help Laid Off Sibanye-Stillwater Mine Workers 

"Montana’s top Republican officials announced Thursday the U.S. Department of Labor had awarded the state with a $3.5 million grant to help the 700 workers laid off earlier this year from the Sibanye-Stillwater Mine receive training to move into new jobs in new fields."

Oregon Providence Health Care Workers Announce Strike 

"The Oregon Nurses Association announced Monday morning that the union could not come to an agreement with Providence, and an open-ended strike is set to begin on Jan. 10."

Arizona's Minimum Wage Keeps Raising. What is the Minimum Wage In 2025? 

“The Arizona statewide minimum wage increases to $14.70 an hour in 2025. The rise of 35 cents an hour reflects a cost of living boost of 2.4%. Under state law, Arizona adjusts its minimum wage once a year to reflect inflation."

Teamsters Local 104 Contract Ratification Alert 

"Teamsters Local 104 members of Sun Van, ratified their tentative agreement with a 96.4% yes vote."

Arizona's Ruben Gallego Will be Sworn Into US Senate. Here's What He Says He's Going to Do 

"U.S. Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego says he hopes to work productively with Republicans and the incoming Trump administration on big issues such as tax policy and border security, but it will require compromise on all sides in line with voter expectations."

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]