|
|
John, |
|
On October 8, we marked Latina Equal Pay Day—the day when Latinas finally caught up to what white, non-Hispanic men earned in 2024. It’s not a milestone to celebrate, but a reminder that pay inequity continues to hold back Trabajadoras, their families, and their communities.
Latinas working full-time, year-round, still earn just 58 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. That gap adds up to $33,620 every year, and nearly $1.2 million over the course of a lifetime—money that could mean childcare, education, housing, or the chance to build a more secure future.
As Evelyn DeJesus, National President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), stated in a letter marking this year’s Equal Pay Day:
“Over the past decade, we have seen almost no progress. In 2014, Latinas earned 54¢ on the dollar. In 2025, we stand at 58¢, a mere 4¢ improvement in more than 10 years. At this pace, Latinas will not reach pay equity until the 23rd century. That is unacceptable.”
LCLAA draws attention to the many factors that widen the gap—particularly for immigrant and low-wage Latina workers. Many hold essential jobs in caregiving, hospitality, agriculture, and food service, yet still lack access to basic benefits, workplace protections, or fair pay. For immigrant women, these inequities are compounded by fear of retaliation, wage theft, and the threat of detention or deportation.
Despite these barriers, Latinas continue to lead and organize for change. Across Arizona, Latina union members are building power on the job, negotiating stronger contracts, and standing up for the dignity of all workers. From the classroom to the jobsite, they are proving what the labor movement has always known: when we organize, we win.
The Arizona AFL-CIO proudly stands in solidarity with LCLAA and all Trabajadoras in the fight for fair pay and justice. Achieving equity means more than closing a wage gap—it means ensuring that every worker can earn a living wage, work without fear, and build a secure future for their family.
Latina Equal Pay Day is a reminder that our movement’s work is far from finished.
|
|
|
Fred Yamashita Secretary-Treasurer Executive Director |
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIONS |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Phoenix Pride Parade!
Join the Arizona AFL-CIO at the Phoenix Pride Parade! Click on the button below and fill out the form if you are interested in walking in the parade with us. The parade step-off will occur at 10 AM, so please arrive at the area of 3rd Street & Oak in Phoenix by 9 AM to find us. |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Vote Yes on Prop 50
Our union family in California are asking for our help turning out the vote in favor or Prop 50. Click on the link to sign up to help phonebank!
Yes on Prop 50 will allow us to protect California and their families. |
|
|
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. |
|
.png)
|
Jan. 15–18, 2026, MLK Civil and Human Rights Conference
The civil rights and labor movements have a long, storied history of working together to secure a better future for workers. And every year, we come together with union members and civil rights activists at our AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference, where we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and strengthen the bond between both our movements. Right now, our democracy is under threat, and our solidarity is more important than ever. |
|
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]. |
|
|
OPINION |
'Really, really frustrating': Furloughed Federal Workers Share Their Stories
"Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed because of the government shutdown. NPR's Morning Edition spoke with three of them about their experiences."
|
All Workers Benefit from Unions
"Based on the extensive and thorough research conducted by EPI and Oren Cass, it should be obvious to anyone that unionization leads to higher wages and better benefits, a better fiscal outcome for government due to higher wages, safer workplaces, and stronger families and thriving communities that support a more vibrant democracy for all Americans."
|
|
|
NATIONAL NEWS |
|
The US's Biggest Pro Women's Sports Unions Have Found Strength Together
"As the WNBA’s biggest stars warmed up for the All-Star Game on 19 July, the message came through loud and clear. All wore shirts reading “Pay Us What You Owe Us,” with the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association (WNBPA) logo prominently displayed below. The visual immediately went viral, drawing attention to the union’s ongoing negotiations with the league for a new collective bargaining agreement."
|
|
AFGE Urges Federal Workers to Join October 18 No Kings Day Protests
"The marches are occurring as Trump furloughed 750,000 “non-essential” federal workers as a result of the Trump-GOP shutdown of much of the federal government. Trump told reporters on October 7 that if and when any of those workers return, they might not get back pay."
|
AFL-CIO Demands Trump End the Shutdown, Fix the Health Care Crisis, Put Working People First
"AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called on President Trump today to stop 'squeezing working people until they abandon demands to address a mounting health care crisis,' and immediately fund the government, fix the health care crisis, and put America’s working people first."
|
|
RWDSU Local 21 Standing with Appalachia in the Fight Against Addiction
"RWDSU Local 21 joined thousands at the Healing Appalachia music festival this September, raising awareness and connecting people in recovery with resources and opportunities. The annual event brings music and community together to support those impacted by addiction across the Appalachian region and Local 21 was proud to be part of it showing the community in recovery how a union can be part of that support system."
|
|
Temple Resident Assistants, Peer Mentors Vote to Unionize
"The Temple Union of Resident Assistants unanimously voted to join the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 153 in an election hosted by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board in Morgan Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 7."
|
|
|
|
|
Local Union Making Preps to Support Federal Workers
"'We're gonna have to make sure food is available for federal workers so we're gonna try and set up food bank,' said Omar Algeciras, vice president of the local chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees."
|
|
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Announces Run for Reelection
"Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs will seek a second term in office. Gov. Hobbs officially announced her reelection campaign Wednesday morning. She is set to be on Good Morning Arizona live at 7 a.m. to talk about the announcement. Hobbs, a Democrat, has been the governor of Arizona since 2023 after serving as secretary of state from 2019 to 2023. She previously served in the Arizona Legislature beginning in 2011. Hobbs will likely run unopposed in the 2026 gubernatorial primary. On the Republican side, Rep. David Schweikert announced his candidacy for governor last week. He’ll join Rep. Andy Biggs and housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson, who are both endorsed by President Donald Trump, in the GOP primary."
|
|
Rep. Ansari, LUCHA, Labor & Community Leaders, Slam Republicans' Government Shutdown
"Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Living United for Change (LUCHA) brought together Arizona State Representative Oscar De Los Santos and leading labor unions at the Arizona State Capitol to underscore the devastating impacts of the ongoing Republican government shutdown on Arizona families."
|
|
Experts and Advocates Highlight the Impacts of Chip Production
"On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, more than 75 academic experts, environmental and community advocates, and labor leaders gathered for The Dark Side of the Chip conference in downtown Phoenix. International and domestic experts and activists came together to discuss overlooked perspectives on the semiconductor industry, raise awareness about the industry’s past mistakes, and propose pathways toward a high-road future."
|
|
|
|
.png)
|
|
|
|
Thank you for reading the Arizona Labor Dispatch! Can you help us grow our readership by sharing our sign-up form?? |
|
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] |
.png){kind=small}
