john,

• A full, independent review of the deal and its impacts
• Protections for workers and consumers
• Clear commitments to maintain an approved service in rural areas
• Public transparency and input in process
• Partnership with CWA to ensure good union jobs and strong labor standards

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Share Your Story: AZ AG Town Hall on Health Insurance Claim Denials

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced that she will be hosting several town halls regarding health insurance denials across the state. Patients, providers, and community members who may be impacted by health insurance companies denying claims are invited to join and share their stories.

The first of these will be hosted at the Maricopa Southwest Regional Library in Gilbert, AZ

This is a great opportunity to speak directly with Attorney General Mayes about concerns regarding your health insurance.  Health insurance issues affect a large number of Arizonans, with an in-network denial rate of 21%, which is higher than the average denial rate of 19%.  When insurance claims are denied, folks are left to pay for costly medical bills on their own.

CLUW- September Membership Meeting

Register for the upcoming CLUW Membership Meeting on September 25th at 7:00 PM virtually via Zoom - more info to come!

The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) Arizona Chapter serves the Greater Western Arizona, including Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai, Gila, Pima, Mohave, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Yuma counties.

ALTO's October Training Series

We invite you to join the Arizona Labor Trafficking Outreach Project (ALTO) October Labor Trafficking Training Series. This free three-part series is open to all service providers, law enforcement, and community leaders interested in learning more about labor trafficking, its impact on workers, and strategies for prevention and response.

Each session can be attended individually, but you are welcome to join one, two, or all three depending on your intesest and availability.

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. 

📖 Read Along September: The House on Via Gemito by Domenico Starnone⤵️

Shuler: Workers Ask 'Why is my future being ripped away?'

"Her answer is that billionaires and corporations totally control the government and move to exert total control over every aspect of U.S. life. That their leading instrument is Donald Trump. And that the labor movement is—and must be—the biggest force standing in their way."

This Labor Day, Honor the Workers Who Power Our Economy

"Unions are leading the fight for better jobs and safer workplaces in New York State."

Unions March Through Boston in Labor Day Parade in Historic Display of Worker Solidarity

"The theme of the parade was workers over billionaires. Monday also marked two months since the union representing employees of Republic Services went on strike against the company. The trash workers said there is no end in sight."

Verve Coffee Workers in Santa Cruz, San Francisco Push to Unionize on Labor Day

"On Monday, workers at cafés in Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue and Fair Avenue, and in San Francisco, notified their managers that they intend to unionize. Employees said they deliberately timed their unionization announcement for Labor Day, a federal holiday honoring the American labor movement. By attempting to form a union, employees at these coffeehouses are seeking to improve working conditions, increase wages and hours, and to gain more respect from the leaders at the company."

Gavin Newsom Reaches Deal with Uber and Lyft That's Called the 'largest expansion of private sector collective bargaining in California history'

"The agreement includes a bill for collective bargaining backed by the Service Employees International Union along with a measure sponsored by Uber and Lyft that would significantly reduce the companies’ insurance requirements for accidents caused by underinsured drivers, would ultimately reduce costs for passengers."

Hotel Workers at Chicago Holiday Inn & Suites Say Housekeepers Locked Out Over Contract Dispute

"Housekeepers at the hotel voted to join Unite Here Local 1 in April 2023. Since then, for more than two years, workers have been advocating for a first union contract with fair wages and benefits.  According to the union, housekeepers make $6 less at that hotel than other downtown hotel workers."

Workers at Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks Organize a Union Under NFFE-IAM

"The election was held during the peak of summer from July 22 to August 19 when the parks have their highest staff levels and both permanent and seasonal employees had the opportunity to vote. The Federal Labor Relations Authority certified the results of the election on Monday, adding approximately 600 workers to the union."

'This Labor Day is different'; Union Leaders Call for Solidarity

"This Labor Day is more than just a holiday, it’s about defending democracy and protecting every worker’s freedom, fairness and security, said Fred Yamashita, secretary-treasurer and executive director of Arizona AFL-CIO, a union representing more than 185,000 members."

Unions Advocate for Workers' Rights, Freedoms on Labor Day

"Union leaders like Cecilia Valdez, the chair of the Pima Area Labor Federation, said that advocating for workers’ rights is especially important now. 'With the stroke of a pen, the Trump Administration did away with unions in the federal government, and that’s not right,” said Valdez. “People have a right to join unions, and we should not do away with them just because we don’t like them.'"

Southwest Airlines Facing $2.3M in Labor Fines in Arizona

"New York-based attorney Lee Seham, who represents six of the employees, said the employees were given warning letters upon taking their 10th day of sick leave within 12 months, even though Southwest’s policy allowed them to earn and bank thousands of hours of sick leave over the years. He said the job of an airline mechanic is particularly demanding."

Amid Increased Prices, ASU Students Weigh in on State's Minimum Wage

"Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Director Fred Yamashita of Arizona AFL-CIO — a labor federation representing 185,000 union members in over 200 local union affiliates — said the concept of minimum wage is now far different from its inception in 1938."

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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]