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Once again, President Trump and his allies have chosen chaos and suffering instead of a solution, forcing the country into a reckless government shutdown — all because they refuse to address the growing health care crisis. In Arizona alone, 342,564 people will lose their health care coverage, and approximately 34,460 federal employees will lose paychecks. These workers keep our communities safe, our travel secure, and our veterans cared for. Yet, they are being treated as pawns in the president’s political games.
We are not alone in this fight. Across the labor movement, leaders are standing shoulder to shoulder with working families. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler reminded us that, “Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are being locked out and stand to lose the paychecks their families depend on. Federal contractors, including custodians and cafeteria workers, won’t have the assurance of back pay.” She added, “These are the people who get our Social Security checks out on time, keep our food and water safe, care for our veterans, and protect us at airports and during natural disasters.”
Federal workers themselves are already feeling the strain, and AFGE President Everett Kelley made it clear what’s at stake: “When the government shuts down, American families pay the price. Congress must stop playing politics with the livelihoods of federal workers and the communities they serve, end this shutdown immediately, and stop holding workers hostage.” He also raised serious concerns about reports of illegal mass firings, saying, “President Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought are threatening to illegally fire mass numbers of federal employees … an action we are already challenging in court.”
For us in Arizona, it means our neighbors are forced to make impossible choices –delaying payment on bills, finding childcare, and choosing to seek temporary employment elsewhere. The Arizona AFL-CIO stands firmly with our federal workers and calls on Congress to end this crisis, put paychecks back in workers’ pockets, and protect the health care coverage Arizonans depend on.
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Fred Yamashita Secretary-Treasurer Executive Director |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIONS |
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CALL: Stop the Shutdown and the Cuts to Working Families
Countless jobs, the essential government services we all rely on and the economy are in jeopardy right now—all because the administration wants to take one more swing at wrecking the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and throwing working people off our health care.
Every day this Trump shutdown drags on, workers and our families are forced to make impossible choices. Our message to the administration is clear: Federal workers aren’t your pawns. Fund the government. Fix the health care crisis. Put working people first. Now.
Dial 844-896-5059 to be connected with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and your senators and representative or fill out the form on this page to make a call. |
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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. |
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We Say No Kings on October 18th
On October 18th, millions of people are rising against to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people.
Event Details: Wednesday, August 18th Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Location: Arizona Stat Capitol, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ |
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CLUW- September Membership Meeting - Oct. 23rd
Register for the upcoming CLUW Membership Meeting on October 23, 2025 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. |
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MCDP Labor Committee
Labor Politics Ahead of the 2026 Election. It is more necessary than ever for Democrats and organized labor to work together for the good of the country. Come hear Arizona’s Secretary of State and labor leaders speak about what this collaborative effort could look like in the coming year. Lunch will be provided. |
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Vote Yes on Prop 50
The California Labor Federation is looking for volunteers to either phonebank or canvass for Prop 50. Donald Trump and his MAGA allies have been attacking workers and our families and now they want to rig the 2026 elections.
Yes on Prop 50 will allow us to protect California and their families. |
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No Contract, No Coffee! Pledge to Act in Solidarity with Starbucks Workers United
Support Starbucks baristas in their fight for a union and fair contract, and pledge not to cross the picket line by not patronizing any Starbucks store when baristas are on strike. |
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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]. |
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OPINION |
'They don't even recognize us as human beings.' Dublin Employer Trying to Break Us
"For a long time, Local 284 enjoyed a productive relationship with Sutphen. But unfortunately, we were forced to launch a strike several months ago because of the company’s refusal to respect the 90 Teamsters who make their profits possible."
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Why First Responders Want to See WA Diversity Its Long-Term Care Fund Investments
"According to a 2024 survey, nearly a third of Americans have no emergency savings at all, with 40% saying they would need to borrow money if faced with an unexpected expense greater than $1,000. Even middle-income families can’t afford the cost of long-term care."
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NATIONAL NEWS |
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AFGE, AFSCME File Lawsuit Challenging Administration's Reduction-In-Force Plans
"Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the lawsuit asserts that the Office of Management and Budget, through its Director Russ Vought, violated the law through its threats to engage in the mass firing of federal workers during a shutdown. The lawsuit also names as defendants the Office of Personnel Management and its Director Scott Kupor, which issued unlawful and unprecedented instructions that federal employees may perform work during the federal government shutdown in order to carry out mass RIFs."
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Teamsters Local 396 Launches 2026 Sanitation Contract Campaign
"After years of strategic planning, Local 396 has succeeded in aligning contract expiration dates across eight waste companies, including 29 facilities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. This coordinated approach will give Teamsters maximum leverage at the bargaining table."
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Labor Movement Rallies Behind Striking IAM Union Members at Boeing St. Louis
"IAM District 837 members have been on strike since Aug. 4 after Boeing refused to negotiate a fair contract. The union has formally submitted a membership-ratified four-year contract proposal to Boeing, putting the responsibility squarely on the company to end the strike."
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Fenway Park Workers File Labor Complaint, Claiming Retaliation Against Union Members
"The union representing Fenway Park concession staff has filed a labor complaint against employer Aramark, claiming that the company retaliated against employees for participating in a July strike and other union activities."
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Unionized Disneyland Workers Say $233M Settlement Validates Years of Organizing
"The settlement, approved last week, will cover thousands of current and former Disneyland employees and provide back pay with interest. The media company signed off on the preliminary agreement in December."
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Arizonans Feeling Uncertainty Amid Government Shutdown, Furloughs
"Amid the current government shutdown, thousands of people could be furloughed and even possibly laid off. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that about 750,000 workers will be furloughed amid the shutdown."
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Stirred, Not Silent: Starbucks Baristas Rally for Fair Contract
"Employees raise concerns over pay and hours while Starbucks says closures are tied to performane and customer experience. "
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Arizona Eastern Membership Enjoy Improved Pay, Benefits, and Morale Thanks to First BLET Contract
"The biggest improvements came after voting unanimously (22-0) to ratify their first ever union contract last month. A few weeks after ratification, a big morale booster appeared in their paychecks in the form of a signing bonus secured in their new BLET contract, and the first of several general wage increases are coming soon."
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Retiree Group Endorses Kris Mayes for Re-Election as Arizona Attorney General
"The Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans today announced its endorsement of Attorney General Kris Mayes for re-election, citing her strong record of protecting older Arizonans from scams, fraud, abuse, and neglect."
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National Hispanic Heritage Month |
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Thank you for reading the Arizona Labor Dispatch! Can you help us grow our readership by sharing our sign-up form?? |
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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] |
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