John,

Just this week, the National AFL-CIO launched something groundbreaking — the Workers First Initiative on AI — the labor movement’s first-ever set of principles for shaping how artificial intelligence should be used in the workplace.
This initiative lays out a clear vision for how employers and lawmakers can ensure AI works for people, not against them. It’s timely, too: 80% of Americans agree that the government should put strong rules in place to protect our safety and data security, and around 40 states have already begun passing AI-related legislation.
Right now, Big Tech companies are racing ahead with AI tools that can monitor workers, collect personal data without consent, discriminate, and even use workers’ creative output to train systems that might replace them. Without guardrails, that’s a recipe for harm.
As AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said, “No one understands how to build the future of work better than America’s labor movement.”
I’m proud to serve on the AFL-CIO State Federation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force, alongside leaders like Chrissy Lynch, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor, both Co-Chairs of the AI Task Force. Together, we’re coordinating efforts across the country to make sure working people have a real voice in how AI reshapes our jobs and industries.
The AI principles, endorsed this summer by all 63 affiliated unions, set out essential guardrails to ensure technology advances with workers, not at their expense. They call for:
  • Strengthening labor rights and collective bargaining
  • Preventing harmful uses of AI in the workplace
  • Protecting copyright and intellectual property
  • Building a worker-centered training and development system
  • Ensuring worker voice in AI research and development
  • Demanding transparency and accountability in AI use
  • Modeling best practices through government procurement
  • Protecting civil rights and upholding democracy
You can read the full AFL-CIO “Workers First Initiative on AI” here:
👉 go.aflcio.org/ai-principles
It’s time for working people to be at the center of the AI conversation. With this initiative, we’re standing up to protect workers’ jobs, rights, and freedoms—and to build an AI future that improves work, reduces inequality, and benefits everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

 

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
.
Make A Call 

Stand United for a Healthier Broadway


For too long, Broadway workers have risked their health and safety so the show could go on.


Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 802 represent the actors, stage managers and musicians who bring Broadway productions to life. Equity currently represents 3,300 actors and stage managers and AFM Local 802 represents 1,300 musicians on Broadway.


These actors, stage managers and musicians have been in negotiations with The Broadway League since August to improve their workplaces. Right now, they are demanding that they be treated with dignity and for The Broadway League to pay their fair share for health care.

Show Your Support Here

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.

Register Here

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

Get More Info Here

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.

Walk In The Parade

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.

Register Here

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. 

Register Here

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.

Volunteer to Phonebank!

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.

Sign Pledge Here

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.

Get More Info/Register

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].

Share An Event!
 

OPINION

Seattle Children's Declares War on Nurses' Rights

 

"Morgan Lewis is not just any corporate law firm; it is one of the most prominent firms representing union-busting employers, including Amazon, SpaceX, Apple, and Tesla. Furthermore, the firm represents SpaceX in its lawsuit against the National Labor Relations Board, arguing the constitutionality of the board’s structure."

Read More

Will Teachers Save Our Democracy?

 

"Engaging in this work, Weingarten contends, has always made teachers a target for dictators — would-be and otherwise — who seek to undermine democracy and impose autocratic rule. Drawing from history, from stories of frontline teachers, and from her experiences as a former teacher — a champion for educators and a lightning rod for criticism from politicians in both political parties — Weingarten argues that public schools and teachers are “inextricably linked” with protecting democracy and ensuring its enduring presence in the nation’s politics and governance."

Check It Out
 

NATIONAL NEWS

Major Federation of Unions Calls for 'Worker-Centered AI' Future

 

"The AFL-CIO represents the UAW and dozens of other unions and wants more collective bargaining and state bills regulating AI."

Take a look

Federal Judge Issues Immediate Halt of Trump Administration's Illegal Firing of Federal Workers During Shutdown

 

"Judge Susan Illston from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said the unions are likely to prove that the administration’s issuance of reduction-in-force notices to more than 4,000 federal employees during the shutdown is illegal, exceeds its authority, and is arbitrary and capricious."

Unlock Information

Tens of Thousands of Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Workers Launch Five-Day Strike

 

"Morales said the union’s request to raise wages a total of 25% over four years was necessary to compensate for the far smaller increases workers received in their 2021 contract negotiations, when they received a 2% raise in the first year. She also said the company neglected to meet with various groups of workers at planned bargaining sessions last week to discuss solutions to short-staffing."

Read More

After 40 Days on Picket Line, Union Workers at Hilton Americas-Houston End Strike

 

"Housekeepers, laundry attendants, and stewards will see their minimum wage rise from $16.50 to $20 an hour, and then to $22 by the end of the their new contract."

Uncover Details

Nationwide Trash Collectors' Strike Ends with Deal Between Teamsters and Republic Services in Cumming

 

"After 99 days on strike, unionized Republic Services garbage collectors in Cumming reached an agreement with management on Wednesday afternoon that ended a nationwide strike by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters."

Check It Out
 

LOCAL NEWS

Tucson Rally Calls on Congress to Protect Workers and Fund the Government

 

"As the shutdown entered Day 6 on Oct. 6, a group of federal employees, union members, and community allies gathered at El Presidio Park in Tucson, Ariz., to demand an immediate end to the ongoing lockout."

See Detail

Furloughed Federal Worker From Tucson Speaks Out Ahead of Losing Job in December

 

"Beyersdorf and others received a letter from the Department of Commerce on Friday, which said their positions at the Tucson Contact Center will be eliminated due to a lack of funding."

Find Out More

'Nearly impossible to keep up': Groups Rally Against Proposed APS Rate Hike

 

"Dora Vasquez, the executive director of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, said energy costs are already too high, saying she hears from seniors who are already struggling with prices."

Uncover the Full Story

ADOT Worker Recognized for Vital Role in Flood Rescue

 

"A stalled pickup further complicated the situation, officials said. Lopez used his ADOT emergency response truck to tow it out of the way, allowing the ambulance to eventually cross once the waters slightly receded."

Discover More
 
 

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