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This Saturday, May 10, union members across Arizona and the country will once again demonstrate the true spirit of solidarity during the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive —the largest single-day food drive in the nation. Here in Phoenix, the Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA) was proud to assist NALC in launching this effort 32 years ago, helping to create what has become a powerful annual tradition rooted in compassion and union values.

Since its inception in 1993, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has helped millions of families, and participation is easy, meaningful, and union strong. Not all NALC branches or rural offices may participate—check with your local post office or visit www.nalc.org/food to confirm local involvement.

Let’s show that solidarity doesn’t stop at the picket line. Join union members nationwide in the fight against hunger—because it’s always better in a union, and better when we care for one another.

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

LCLAA Annual Cinco de Mayo Mixer - Friday, May 9, 2025

🕕 6:00–8:00 PM | 📍 UNITE HERE Offices, 1021 S 7th Ave, Phoenix

After May Day, we gather to celebrate our cultura, comunidad, and lucha with food, music, and deep connection.

MCDP Labor Committee: Perspectives on Labor Conversations with Our Legislators

Maricopa County Democratic Party's Labor Committee is excited to host an event to have a conversation on Labor in Maricopa County. The focus will be on legislative opportunities to support labor, especially in the hostile environment on the federal and state level. RSVP to hear directly from Congressman Greg Stanton, Senator Lauren Kuby, and a surprise guest! 

Event Details: 

Date: Friday, May 9, 2025

Time: 7:00 to 8:30 PM 

Location: IBEW Local 640, 5808 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 

It's Older American's Month - and We Deserve Better!

AARA is calling out the leaders who have turned their backs on seniors - and Representative David Schweikert tops the list. With a 0% voting record on issues that matter to older adults - including Social Security, Medicare, and affordable healthcare - it's clear: he's not fighting for seniors.

Join retirees, union members, an concerned citizens as they rally outside Rep. Schweikert's office to hold him accountable. 

Collecting Stories About Heat

The Heat Standards Coalition, is collecting stories about how Arizonans are affected by heat. Rising temperatures in Phoenix makes it harder to do our jobs, get to the places we need, and access valuable resources. We want to launch a heat ordinance offering more protections for workers and residents alike. Please help us by sharing your story of how you are affected by heat!

⤵️Click on the button below and fill out the form or Email [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions.  

FREE Heat Injury & Illness Prevention 101 Workshop for Workers

Join National COSH to learn the basics about how to keep yourself and your coworkers sage in the heat. This will be a virtual presentation in collaboration with UCLA - Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program

Event Details: 

Thursday, May 15th at 10:00 AM PT [90 minute session]

Arizona Needs Reliable Internet Service & Good Jobs

$42 billion in public funding for internet infrastructure is on the line, and we need your voice! While CWA members have fought for investments in reliable fiber broadband that create good, union jobs, satellite company CEOs are pushing to redirect these funds to unreliable satellite services. Satellite internet lacks the necessary speeds, employs fewer workers, and has a short lifespan that leads to repeated investments. 

⤵️Click on the link below and tell Governor Hobbs and the Arizona State Broadband Office to stand up to pressure to redirect funds to unreliable satellite internet service and continue to create good, union jobs by investing in reliable, high-speed fiber internet. ⤵️

FREE State-Registered Apprenticeship — Line Cook Training for Your Members & Community

The Hospitality Training Academy (HTA), in collaboration with UNITE HERE, is offering an 8-week, no-cost Line Cook Training Program in Phoenix, which leads directly to union jobs with benefits. This program is now officially recognized as an Arizona State-Registered Apprenticeship Program.

HTA has a strong history of preparing individuals for success in union jobs, offering fair wages, dignity, and opportunities for career advancement in the hospitality industry.

Who is this for?
✅ Anyone aged 18 or older
✅ Proficient in English with a reading level of at least 10th grade
✅ Interested in starting a career in a growing industry

Why it matters:
This apprenticeship serves as a vital pathway to help workers escape poverty and secure stable, union-backed careers. With your support, we can reach individuals in your community and membership who are ready for this opportunity.

Next steps and details:
UNITE HERE will be hosting informational sessions soon, and only those who attend will be eligible to enroll. Please share the attached flyer with your members, their families, and neighbors to help spread the word.

26th Annual Joe Standley Golf Tournament - May 23, 2025

The Arizona Building Trades Council (AZBTC) invites you to join their annual fundraising event that supports Labor's Community Service Agency (LCSA).

LCSA is a nonprofit arm of the AFL-CIO, and provides human services to Arizona's most vulnerable populations since 1974. Your participation will directly support affordable housing, transportation assistance, and financial aid support to those in need.  

➡️Click HERE to download/print flyers.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rebekah Friend at (602) 622-5361 or [email protected]. 

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. 

📖This Month's Book: Butcher's Crossing by John Williams 

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 Legislative Update:

At today’s Arizona AFL-CIO legislative Committee meeting, we 

All Workers Deserve Safety on the Job

"The attack on worker safety is in line with the weakening of worker rights by this administration. The attack on science and research is absurd. Isn’t science what we teach our kids and grandkids about the wonders of nature?"

Street Vendors Are Workers - They Should Have Workers' Rights

"Street vendors work together to fight multiple challenges but they should not have to stand along: governments must do more."

"Whole Foods lost, the workers won": NLRB Officer Sides with Union in Certification Fight

"National Labor Relations Board report has dealt a setback to union-busting efforts by Amazon, a regional hearing officer rejecting the company's arguments that workers at a Whole Foods in Philadelphia should not be afforded the right to collectively bargain."

Farms Are Turning to Guest Workers to Fill Labor Shortages, but Critics Say It Still Isn't Enough

'"This is skilled work and it's very hard work, it's very backbreaking work. And that doesn't include the pesticides and heat," said Areli Arteaga Sanders, the Political Legislative Director with the United Farm Workers union. She used to do work like this in the fields of Idaho."

CWA, NABET-CWA, and NewsGuild-CWA Condemn Unlawful Executive Order Interfering with press Freedom for Public Media

"The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, representing public media workers at local stations for NPR and PBS across the country and non-editorial workers at the national headquarters of NPR and PBS, has condemned President Trump’s unlawful executive order impeding the freedom of the press for local public TV and radio stations receiving funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)."

AFGE President Says Downsizing After Trump's Order Threatens the Union's Survival

"AFGE and other unions are fighting the order in court as illegal and retaliatory. But Kelley said the order has already taken a “very direct hit” on the group’s finances because agencies stopped collecting union dues from paychecks."

Thousands of Machinists Union Members Go on Strike at Jet Engine Maker Pratt & Whitney

"Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers were picketing at manufacturing locations in East Hartford and Middletown, after about 77% of nearly 2,100 union members voted to approve their first strike since 2001, union officials said. Their contract expired late Sunday."

Trulieve Workers Nab Arizona's First Union Contract for Weed Growers

"The deal is a first for the weed industry and only the second union contract for agricultural workers in Arizona since 1993."

Attorney General Mayes Wins Court Order Protecting Federal Agencies Supporting Libraries, Museums, and Workers

"In April, Attorney General Mayes joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the implementation of an Executive Order that would dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)."

Hobbs Vetoes Bills to Cut Unemployment Benefits, Add Food Stamp Work Rules, and Change Arizona Election Laws

"Arizonans who are laid off won't have to worry about their unemployment benefits being cut off sooner."

Sky Harbor Workers Rally for Better Pay

"A large group of Flagstaff residents gathered in front of City Hall on Thursday for a powerful and peaceful May Day Strong protest, joining over 340 cities nationwide in a show of solidarity for workers, immigrants, students, and families."

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]