John,

This week, the AFL-CIO’s Department of People Who Work for a Living released a report to lawmakers on Capitol Hill—and Arizona is right at the center of it. The so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is doing anything but protecting our communities. Instead, it's gutting essential public services, forcing mass layoffs, and endangering the livelihoods of working families across our state.

We saw this firsthand on April 26, when we hosted a worker testimony hearing at IBEW Local 570 in Tucson. We invited Rep. Juan Ciscomani to listen to union members—his constituents—who shared how these reckless cuts are already taking a toll. From public health to veterans' services, DOGE is dismantling the very infrastructure that keeps our communities safe, healthy, and running.

Former Secretary of Labor Julie Su joined us this past Tuesday at IUPAT Local 86 in Phoenix, where workers spoke out about what’s being lost: grants slashed, jobs eliminated, families left in limbo. One of our own, Liliana Jordan from National Nurses United, put it best: “This is just the beginning of the 539 jobs Arizona stands to lose if these cuts go through.”

Let me be clear: this is Project 2025 in action—cutting Medicaid, public education, food assistance, and even life-saving health programs to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Arizona’s working people are the ones paying the price.

We need to raise our voices. We need to organize. And we need to demand that Congress reject these dangerous cuts and put working families first. The people who work for a living want an agenda that works for them—not big corporations and billionaires. 

Read the full report https://deptofpeoplewhowork.org/hearings-report

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

CALL: No Cuts That Hurt Working Families, Kids and Retirees

Right now, House leadership is pushing through a budget that would have the largest cuts in history to Medicaid and to SNAP food assistance, as well as more cuts to retirement benefits for federal workers. These programs are a cornerstone of a secure existence for working people. 

We need you to speak out today. Tell Congress this budget would be a disaster for working families and for our nation. 

Call your representative at 231-400-0602 to tell them, "No cuts that hurt working families!"

Thank Senators Diaz and Hatathlie for Protecting Our Constitution

Arizona just came within 3 votes of calling a dangerous Article V Constitutional Convention—a move that could have put everything from worker rights to voting rights on the chopping block.

Thankfully, Senators Eva Diaz and Teresa Hatathlie stood strong and voted NO, protecting our democracy and letting HCR2041 die in the Senate.

But now, the group behind the bill is ramping up pressure to get it back on the floor.

✊ Let’s show Senators Diaz and Hatathlie that Arizonans have their back.
👉 Take 2 minutes to send a thank you letter and urge them to continue standing up for our Constitution.

📬 SEND YOUR LETTER NOW

CLUW Arizona Charter Celebration & Membership Meeting

Join the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) as they officially sign on to become a recognized charter serving the Greater Arizona County region—including Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai, Gila, Pima, and Yuma! This hybrid event is both a celebration and a chance to get involved with CLUW’s mission to uplift and empower women in the labor movement.

📅 Thursday, May 29, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
📍 3117 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016
💻 Zoom link opens at 6:00 PM for virtual attendees

Pride At Work Courtside - Phoenix Mercury Game Night!

Join Pride at Work Arizona Chapter for a fun evening at the Phoenix Mercury basketball game! 

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.

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 were joined by Representative Stacey Travers of LD 12, who spoke on the House’s brief activities before recessing until June 4th, as well as the likely status of both prop.123 and the current status of the state budget. Political Director Joe Murphy presented a summary of bills of interest that have moved since our last legislative committee meeting, as well as a summary of key federal developments. 

How Medicaid Helps to Empower Americans and Build a Stronger Nation

"Medicaid sustained Clark, then 37, through surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and other hardships, enabling her to focus on fighting for her health and staying strong for her children. That's why she's incensed that Republicans in Congress want to cut this lifeline for ordinary Americans, just so they can help Donald Trump fund more tax cuts for the rich."

Chattanooga Is A Union Town

"Chattanooga is a union town. At one time boasting a union density of around 40% of the work force, our city has been the center of innumerable hard fights and historic victories for wages, safety and dignity at work."

AFL-CIO's Liz Shuler Slams House Budget Passed in the Dead of Night as 'Another Massive Giveaway to Billionaires and Big Corporations'

"This budget gave Congress a choice: stand with the working people, seniors and kids, or deliver another massive giveaway to billionaires and big corporations. Every single member of Congress who voted for this bill chose to write the richest 10% a fat check on the backs of working-class families already struggling to pay their bills."

Employees at Sesame Workshop Win Union Election joining OPEIU Local 153

"After Sesame Workshop attempted to cancel the election twice and tried to turn away eligible employees on election day, the election results mark a significant milestone for over 100 workers at Sesame Workshop. Workers represent a broad cross-section of the people who power Sesame Workshop’s impact—including early childhood education experts, fundraisers, facilities staff, producers, paralegals, and more. The newly formed union is committed to strengthening workplace collaboration, equity, and transparency in support of the organization’s educational mission."

New Jersey Transit Reaches Tentative Deal with Engineers Union that Could End Strike

"Negotiators for New Jersey Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), the union representing 450 striking engineers, have reached a tentative labor agreement that could bring an end to the three-day strike, according to the union."

IAM Member Detained at Sea-Tac

"Another union member has been taken and held by immigration authorities after returning from a trip to the Philippines. Maximo Londonio — a green card holder, resident of Olympia, WA and member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 695 — was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon his return to the United States, despite his legal permanent resident status. A father of three, he has been detained at Sea-Tac Airport for more than four days."

With Labor Under Siege, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists to Hold Critical Convention

"The members of the CBTU are gearing up for their 54th International Convention later this month in Orlando, which will meet under the theme “Preserving and Building on Our Legacy: Unbought, Unbowed, Unstoppable.” Hundreds of Black labor leaders and rank-and-file activists will gather in Florida amid what many describe as an existential moment for the labor movement."

Bookmans Flagstaff Employees Conduct One-Day Walkout as Labor Negotiations Linger

"Nearly eight months since 100% of the 29 eligible employees at Bookmans Flagstaff supported unionizing in an effort to begin contract negotiations with the company, the unionized workers conducted a one-day strike on Saturday."

Arizona Gov. Hobbs Signs Bill Allowing Early Morning Construction in Summer

"This week, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed SB1182, which prohibits any restrictions by city, town or county governments on early morning construction work from May 1 to Oct. 15. This new law allows for construction activities from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays."

Retired Arizonans Tell Rep. Schweikert to Protect Medicaid as GOP Pushes for Massive Cuts

"The Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans (AARA) began attending the weekly protests this month to commemorate Older Americans Month. About 40 concerned seniors from the group protested along the sidewalks, calling for the congressman to defend Medicaid."

Governor Katie Hobbs Takes Action to Protect Arizona Workers from Heat Rist and partner with Employees

"Today, Governor Katie Hobbs signed an Executive Order to protect Arizonans from heat risk in the workplace. The Executive Order directs the ICA's Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) to form a Workplace Heat Safety Task Force."

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]