John, 

We understand and appreciate the vital role immigrant workers play in our communities and economy. Immigrants represent a significant portion of our workforce and contribute immensely across various sectors, from healthcare to construction. Their hard work not only drives our economy but also enriches the lives of everyone in our communities.

In our country, one in five workers wasn’t born here, and one in four kids has an immigrant parent. Understanding the economic impact of deporting millions of workers is essential. Such actions could drive up the prices of food, housing, and other basic needs. 

An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on all of us. As stated by the National AFL-CIO, "The only way to stop the race to the bottom in wages and standards is for working people of all races, religions, and immigration status to stand together and demand an end to policies that put profits over people." It is essential to recognize that all workers have rights, regardless of their immigration status. Instead of separating families through deportation, we need to ensure all working people can exercise their rights on the job without fear of retaliation.

To support our members, the Arizona AFL-CIO and Organized Power In Numbers (OPIN) will be hosting an in-person "Know Your Rights Workshop" here in Phoenix. This workshop will provide valuable information on how to address workplace discrimination and respond effectively to I.C.E. raids. We want to equip you with strategies and resources to protect yourself and your loved ones. We encourage everyone to participate in this important workshop and remind you that your rights matter.

Click HERE for additional resources from the National AFL-CIO. 

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. 

68th Annual Grace Carroll Rocky Mountain Labor School (GCRMLS)

Registration is now open! This year GCRMLS will be coming to Las Vegas, Nevada July 6 - July 12, 2025.

Founded in 1956, GCRMLS is the only remaining regional labor school in the nation! It is a renowned educational program dedicated to providing high-quality labor education to union members, activists, and leaders all while being able to share real life successes, challenges, and best practices around the labor movement.

For further information, you can visit the GRCMLS website at gcrmls.org.

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].

AZ AFL-CIO's Book Club: A New Chapter Begins! 

We're back—and better than ever! The Arizona AFL-CIO Labor Book Club is now  formatted as an end-of-the-month book review, offering fresh perspectives on thought-provoking reads that resonate with our movement. 

💡 How Can YOU Get Involved?
Feeling inspired? Pick up a copy, read along, and share your thoughts! Send us a short paragraph with your review to [email protected], and we may feature it in next month’s edition.

📱 Join the Conversation!
Stay tuned—soon, we’ll be launching discussions on Instagram and Slack, where you can connect with fellow readers at your convenience.

📖 This Month’s Feature: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Check out this week’s review, written by Esau Gutierrez for a deeper dive: 

The story follows Santiago, a young shepherd from Spain who dreams of discovering treasure at the Egyptian pyramids. His journey begins when he meets a mysterious king, Melchizedek, who encourages him to pursue his “Personal Legend.” Inspired, Santiago sells his sheep and sets off on an adventure.

Throughout his travels, Santiago takes on various jobs that teach him valuable life lessons and the importance of fulfilling work. While working for a crystal merchant, he learns about ambition and the courage to embrace change. The merchant’s willingness to listen to Santiago’s ideas ultimately inspires him to keep moving toward his own dreams and pursue one's passion.

Join Our Weekly 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.

This Week's Update with Rep. Sarah Liguori

You Can't Be Pro-Billionaire and Pro-Working Class

"Even as Donald Trump says he will battle for America’s workers, the acting secretary of labor, Julie Su, is voicing fears that Trump will undo many of Joe Biden’s pro-worker policies, which include protecting workers from extreme heat and extending overtime pay to millions more workers."

16 Million Workers Were Unionized in 2024

"Interest in union organizing is surging in the United States. Since 2021, petitions for union elections at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) have more than doubled. And public support for unions is near 60-year highs—at 70%.  Research shows that 60 million workers would join a union if they could. The disconnect between the growing interest in unionization and declining unionization rates can be explained by the fact that there are powerful forces blocking the will of workers: aggressive opposition from employers combined with labor law that is so weak that it doesn’t truly protect workers’ right to organize. Decades of attacks on unions both on the federal and state levels have made it hard for workers to form and maintain unions. Further, weaknesses in federal labor law have made it possible for employers to oppose unions, contributing to this decline."

AFL-CIO President Responds to Illegal Firing of NLRB Member Gwynne Wilcox

"In response to news of President Trump’s firing of National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Gwynne Wilcox and NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement."

Statement By The National Air Traffic Controllers Association on DCA and America's ATC System 

"The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) joins all Americans in grieving for those who lost their lives in last night’s tragedy at Washington National Airport (DCA), and in praying for the families of those who were lost. NATCA continues to work with all federal agencies regarding last night’s accident."

Workers At A Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia Become the 1st to Unionize 

"Employees at the store, located on 2101 Pennsylvania Avenue in Philadelphia, cast 130 votes — or about 57% of the ballots cast — in favor of joining a local chapter of The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union for the purposes of collective bargaining. According to the National Labor Relations Board, which oversaw the election, 100 workers rejected the motion."

The Clock is Ticking for Costco and Teamsters to Unite on A New Contract 

"The clock is ticking for Issaquah-based Costco and the Teamsters Union to reach an agreement over a new contract for about 18,000 workers across the country. The current contract expires Friday, Jan. 31. Last week, 85% of Costco Teamsters voted to authorize a strike, if the company and union could not come to an agreement over a new contract by Thursday’s deadline. In a press release published after the vote, Teamsters described the vote as a "direct result of the company's failure to bargain constructively and refusal to present a fair contract offer that reflects the company's record-breaking profits." The International Brotherhood of Teamsters says that strike would impact workers nationwide, in states including Washington, California, and New York."

Phoenix School District Teachers Will Work Unpaid on Wednesday

"Hundreds of teachers agreed on Tuesday evening to educate nearly 5,000 students at Isaac Elementary School District in west Phoenix Wednesday but not get paid for it. The Isaac District Education Association members voted to return to work, saying it’s what’s best for the students. “Isaac members are going to work on Wednesday without pay because kids can’t afford to not have qualified educators in the classroom,” said Arizona Education Association President Marisol Garcia in an emailed statement. “The state has promised to pay these educators what they’re owed and we’re counting on them to get us past this crisis and ensure the long-term stability of these schools.” The announcement comes after hundreds of teachers showed up to work on Tuesday without a paycheck because the district is nearly $30 million in debt."

'Absolutely Appalled' Arizona AG Kriss Mayes Sues Trump Administration Over $3 Trillion Federal Funding Freeze

"Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined other attorneys general, to sue the Trump administration over a freeze that could withhold as much as $3 trillion in federal grants, loans and aid. Arizona joins 22 other states in taking legal action. Mayes’ announcement came in response to Monday’s directive from the Office of Management and Budget, which was set to go into effect by five o’clock Tuesday evening. During a press conference Tuesday, Mayes said the state has also sought a temporary restraining order to block the freeze. “Many states like Arizona will be faced with the possibility of immediate cash shortfalls,” Mayes said, noting that the freeze would impact public safety, health care services, and school lunch programs. Arizona’s AG called the orders “lawless” and “chaotic” attempts to steal allocated dollars already factored into state budgets."

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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]