John,

This week, the national AFL-CIO released a report that should serve as a wake-up call for every single working person in Arizona. The report makes it clear: proposed cuts to Medicaid aren’t just an attack on the most vulnerable among us—they’re a direct threat to working families with job-based health insurance.

Here in Arizona, we know how hard it can already be to access affordable, quality health care. Many of us have fought to protect our benefits at the bargaining table. Others are still struggling to get the care they need. Now, according to this new report, if Medicaid is gutted, everyone’s health care costs will go up.

That’s because Medicaid doesn’t just help those who qualify—it strengthens the entire health care system by reducing uncompensated care and supporting hospitals in both rural and urban communities. When it’s weakened, the cost of care gets passed on to those with private insurance—like the 179 million Americans who get their coverage through work.

This isn’t just policy—it’s personal. It means higher premiums. Fewer services. More families making impossible choices between paying bills and getting treatment. And it means working people once again getting squeezed while the ultra-wealthy enjoy tax breaks and loopholes.

I urge you to read the report for yourself:
👉 Read the full analysis here

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Worker Power Tucson Neighborhood Town Hall

On July 2nd there will be a town hall to talk to talk to our neighors, hear about upcoming opportunities to be involved, and speak up about what matters to you and your family and community.

No matter our skin tone or zip code, we all want a stable future, enough money in our pockets, and a government that listens to us and our needs.

Special guest: Former Pima County Supervisor and candidate for Congressional District 7, Adelita Grijalva!

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: Stoner by John Williams, read along with us⤵️

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, Political Director Joe Murphy spoke on updates regarding labor in Arizona, including the completion of a Teamsters picket concluded this Friday morning, and let Kieran Elia speak on his new labor climate initiative. There was also a discussion over the State Legislature's status of the budget and final bills, including the news that the State Senate decided to Sine Die in the early hours of this morning. The House has not concluded its session, but has adjourned until Monday.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on How Labor is Uniting in Reponse to Trump

"Her mandate is much broader: Grow the ranks of unionized workers across industries, lobby policymakers to pass pro-worker guidelines and remove barriers to unionizing, make the labor movement more inclusive to all people, and stand up to powerful anti-union forces at the highest levels of business and government."

The Senate Must Reject Job-Killing Cuts. Union Jobs Are On The Line

"Anyone who is willing to wake up in the morning and put in a hard day's work deserves to know that their job is secure, that they'll earn enough money to support their family, and that their workplace is safe. I've spent almost 30 years in the IUPAT, fighting for the promise that all my union brothers and sisters will be able to work a stable job that pays them what they're due."

Letter Opposing Legislation That Would Prevent States from Enforcing AI Regulations

"This federal preemption provision would override state and local authority, stripping our communities of the ability to safeguard workers and the general public against harmful and unregulated AI use. It should be stripped from any final bill. It is one of many reasons to oppose the current legislation"

MN AFL-CIO Statement on June 14th's Political Violence

"On behalf of Minnesota’s Labor Movement, we are heartbroken at the murder of House Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. We are sending all our prayers and hopes for Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette to make a full recovery from this assassination attempt."

Duke Energy Union Workers Prepare for 'Work Shortage' Amid Stalled Contract Negotiations

"IBEW Local 1393 is advocating for fair wages, better benefits and improved working conditions. But the union's business manager, Christopher Wilson, said they feel like their voices aren’t being heard. Wilson said the union has tried to negotiate with their employer since January — but they haven't reached an agreement."

'Overwhelming Majority' of Philly DC33 Union Members Vote to Authorize Strike if No Agreement Reached

"95 percent of members in Philadelphia’s largest blue-collar municipal workers union voted in favor of walking off the job if their demands are not met, according to the District Council 33 President, who told FOX 29, "we are not playing about this.'"

Idaho Grover to Pay $250K in Penalties for Employing 6 Minors to Clean Meat Slicers, Grinders, Other Hazardous Duties

"The U.S. Department of Labor has reached an agreement with a south-central Idaho grocery store requiring the employer to pay $250,833 in civil money penalties, $5,078 in back wages and damages, and take steps to ensure future compliance with federal child labor laws after investigators found child labor and wage violations at numerous locations."

Arizona's Department of Economic Security to Lay Off 500 Workers Due to Federal Funding Cuts

"The groups call themselves the Arizona Heat Standards Coalition. In a letter to Gov. Katie Hobbs this week, they said they want the Arizona Department of Occupational Safety and Health to adopt heat safety rules for all workers in the state, including requirements for water, shade and rest breaks."

Arizona Labor Groups Call for Workplace Protections from Extreme Heat

"The Department of Economic Security attributed the layoffs to the elimination of federal grants supporting unemployment insurance. That and other decisions by the federal government to shift some expenses to the state further strained the department's budget."

Thousands Protest Trump at the Capitol on 'No Kings' Day

"Thousands rebuke Donald Trump on his birthday at the Arizona Capitol and around the state, the largest such protest yet."

After 25 Years in US, Arizona Father Detained by ICE While on Way to Job Repairing Homes

"Gutierrez built a life for his family in Mesa. He began working in construction and later moved into rebuilding houses. He sent his children to school. It was exactly what they were looking for — an opportunity to do more."

AFSCME Mobilizes for Week of Action to Save Public Services

AFCME 2960 held a press conference to hold Rep. Schweickert accountable for the cuts to Medicaid and other vital government programs that workers and families rely on. AFSCME members spoke up to speak out about the importance of these programs and the threats these cuts pose to their jobs and the vital services that so many depend on.

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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]