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As corporations rapidly expand their use of artificial intelligence (AI), workers across the country are being pushed to a dangerous crossroads—facing threats to their jobs, safety, and civil liberties. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler warns that the latest “big, ugly” budget reconciliation bill in the U.S. Senate includes a dangerous provision: a 10-year ban on all current and future state and local AI safety rules.

This federal overreach would gut hard-fought efforts by state lawmakers—including right here in Arizona—to put common-sense guardrails on the use of AI in the workplace. Without these protections, AI could be used to make unchecked decisions about hiring, workload, healthcare access, and more.

We need AI safety rules now—not a decade from now—before it’s too late.

Unions are calling on lawmakers to reject this dangerous provision and stand up for working people. Our future depends on it.

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Tell T-Mobile: Stop Funding Musk

In July, T-Mobile will launch its “T-Satellite” program in partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. Musk, who is the wealthiest person in the world, stands to gain billions from this deal.

Musk is using the influence he bought to try and siphon public funds from high-quality broadband built out by CWA members into Starlink. Our communities need more good union jobs and high-speed fiber internet, not unreliable satellite internet

We’re holding billionaires like Elon Musk and companies like T-Mobile accountable for the damage they are doing to our jobs and our communities. Join us by signing our petition to tell T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert and the company’s Board of Directors to stop financing Musk’s anti-worker crusade and ditch their deal with him.

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!

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, Senator Lauren Kuby informed us about the status of the budget that was negotiated with Governor Hobbs, the likelihood of it passing before state government would have to shut down, and the possibility of the legislature adjourning sine die today. Political Director Joe Murphy also updated the committee on the status of the president’s “Big Beautiful Bill”, which would cause irreparable harm to labor and our communities, which Congress is under pressure to pass before the July 4th holiday.

An Injury to One Is an Injury to All

"When SEIU California President David Huerta was unlawfully arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for exercising his constitutional rights, the Labor Movement mobilized, took to the streets and made clear that we wouldn’t stop until he was free."

End the ICE Raids Now

"As a labor movement, it is our responsibility to speak out against injustice in any form and to stand with those most impacted by policies aimed at dividing working people in any way."

Film Screening Honors 100th Anniversary of the Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters Union

"On June 21, Our Authors Study Club co-hosted a screening of the film, “10,000 Black Men Named George,” to honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters Union (BSCP), the first African American labor union chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL)."

Victory for Federal Workers: Judge Blocks Trump's Union-Busting Executive Order

"The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed in April by six major federal employee unions in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, including the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). The unions challenged an executive order (EO) issued by President Trump on March 27, which sought to revoke collective bargaining rights from approximately 950,000 federal workers."

Planned Parenthood's Central Coast Workers Avoids Strike with New Deal

"It's health care as usual for Planned Parenthood California Central Coast[PPCCC] clinics after a tentative agreement between union members and management averted strikes scheduled for June."

Machinists File with Labor Board to Unionize West Virginia Pratt & Whitney Workers

"North America's largest aerospace union has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to represent workers at a Pratt & Whitney engine repair shop in West Virginia, as organizers try to make inroads across southern U.S. states and elsewhere where aerospace companies are growing production."

Hilton Hotel Workers in Orlando Score Wage Increases, Job Protections in New Union Contract

"According to the union, the new four-year contract includes increased protections for immigrant workers who face an uncertain future under the Trump administration."

North Side Starbucks Could Be 3rd Location in Tucson to Unionize

"A Starbucks store on West Ina Road near North Oracle Road could become the third unionized Starbucks in Tucson if workers vote in favor of union representation in an election July 14. Employees at the location at 639 W. Ina Rd. filed a petition for representation with the National Labor Relations Board on June 9."

Arizona Agencies Face Job Losses, Funding Cuts Due to DOGE Program Cuts

"Efforts to cut a variety of federally funded programs by the Department of Government Efficiency, or Doge, are leading to an increasing number of job losses at government agencies and other programs across Arizona - as well as a new lawsuit."

How the GOP's Budget Bill Could Affect Arizona's 3rd Congressional District

"In Arizona's 3rd Congressional District, one of the most diverse in the country, where over 800,000 Arizonans reside, the GOP-led 'One Big Beautiful Bill' would hit hard."

Hickman's Family Farms Announces Metro Phoenix Layoffs After Hen Flock Wiped OUt

"The company will lay off about 85 employees, according to a notice published in mid-June. Employers are required to post WARN, or Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications in many cases when they have layoffs. These alerts, which generally apply to employers with 100 or more workers, are designed to give at least 60 days of advance notice to affected individuals."

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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]