John,

On March 27, President Trump signed an executive order that ripped away the right to collectively bargain from hundreds of thousands of federal workers. This was the single biggest act of union-busting in American history. 

In response, the labor movement organized. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joined members of Congress, including Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Jared Golden, on the introduction of a discharge petition in the House of Representatives that seeks to bring the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2550) to the floor for a vote. 

In a following statement, President Shuler emphasized the overwhelming support for unions across the nation, stating,  "More than 70% of Americans—Democrats, Republicans and Independents—support unions. After months of organizing, there is now also bipartisan majority support in Congress for the Protect America’s Workforce Act to rein in this illegal power grab and restore federal workers’ collective bargaining rights."  

We have the votes we need to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act in the House of Representatives. And we have a new way to get this bill to a vote.

The "discharge petition" is a tool that allows us to bypass the usual political procedures and bring this important bill directly to the floor for a vote. However, we need the commitment of every member of Congress who claims to stand with America’s unions. 

We ask you to call your member of Congress and urge them to sign the discharge petition for the Protect America's Workforce Act (H.R. 2550) right now.

In Solidarity, 

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

CALL: Sign the Discharge Petition and Pass the Protect America's Workforce Act

We need every American who cares about the fundamental freedom to join a union to make their voice heard. Call your member of Congress and tell them to speak out and take action to stop Trump’s executive order targeting workers’ right to join a union.

Working Women's Back to School Backpack Drive

TWU 555 & 556 Working Women's Committee & Civil Human Rights Committee is hosting a back to school backpack drive! They are looking for donations to fill backpacks that will be given to local nonprofits.

They are now accepting donations from the public. You can click on the link below to view their wishlist ⤵️ 

If you are not a TWU Member, you can drop off all donations to the Arizona AFL-CIO. Please contact our Communications Director, Alina Cordoba at (480) 370-4511 to schedule a time to come by! 

Central Texas Flood Resources & How to Help

As Texans recover from the recent floods, the Texas AFL-CIO has compiled a list of resources for the affected counties for both union members and the general public. Thank you to all of our emergency responders for their work during this crisis.

Please follow local officials for the latest information.

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. 

📖The July Book of the Month: Augustus by John Williams

Read along with us ⤵️

'Do the right thing': Disabled Workers Fight Job Loss in Vacaville Facility

"Nearly 60 good jobs held by people with disabilities and service-disabled veterans at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville are now just days away from elimination."

Women's Groups Are Necessary

"Let me be clear — women’s groups aren’t just cute gatherings. They’re necessary.

They are sacred spaces where women can breathe, be real, be seen and be supported."

Union Workers' Rights Bus Tour Stops in Newport News

"The tour, titled "It's Better in a Union: Fighting for Freedom, Fairness, and Security," is organized by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Its goal is to highlight the importance of unions in protecting workers and to address proposed funding cuts to key agencies that support them, including the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs."

'Saturday Night Live' Visual Effects Artists Ratify Historic First Union Contract

"IATSE confirmed the development on Monday. After successfully organizing in October 2024, contract negotiations began in April 2025."

In Chicago, a Coalition of Unions, Community Organizers, and Drivers Have Forced Uber to Come to the Table

"As the tech industry moves increasingly into alignment with the far right, the issue of worker power has never been more important. The Chicago campaign offers some key lessons."

Major League Baseball, Union Could Let Big Leaguers in 2028 Olympics During Extended All-Star Break

"Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and players’ union head Tony Clark say plans are moving ahead exploring the possibility of using major leaguers in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a tournament that could be played on an extended All-Star break."

OSHA Fines Tyson Foods Subsidiary After Boiler Room Explosion

"The US Department of Labor (DOL) announced on July 10 that Tyson Foods’ subsidiary Keystone Foods would be fined $16,550 for allegedly failing to protect employees against fire and explosion hazards at its Camilla, Ga., poultry plant. The DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been conducting a six-month-long investigation into the matter."

Gov. Katie Hobbs Earns the Endorsement of Arizona AFL-CIO

"Today, Gov. Katie Hobbs is proud to announce the first endorsement of her campaign: the Arizona AFL-CIO, which represents over 185,000 union members and over 200 union affiliates in Arizona, because of her strong record of championing working families and creating good-paying jobs."

Kroger Contract Termination Puts 130 Tolleson Jobs at Risk

"For decades, the Tolleson distribution center has kept shelves stocked for every Fry’s food store in Arizona. The drivers and mechanics—represented by Teamsters Local 104—work for Ruan Transportation, a company contracted to handle deliveries and vehicle maintenance for Kroger-owned Fry’s and Smith’s stores."

Now Showing: Loft Cinema Staff Vote to Unionize, Negotiate with Board

"One of Arizona’s last remaining independent movie theaters is undergoing a major change, and it goes beyond a fresh coat of paint or a revamped snack bar."

In Arizona's '0-5,' an AFSCME Mechanic Lists How the Budget Bill Will Harm Arizonans

"People losing health care as Medicaid is gutted. Families going hungry as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, sees major cuts. Job losses, furloughs and cuts to public services, as state budgets are squeezed. That’s why McMurrich is calling out his congressman, Juan Ciscomani, for supporting the bill and throwing his constituents under the bus. Before the House passed the bill, McMurrich, a member of AFSCME Local 905, went to Ciscomani’s office to explain how bad the bill would be for working families."

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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]