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The federal government has now been shut down for 24 days, and it’s on track to become the longest shutdown in our nation’s history. Time is running out for millions of working people and their families. Across the country, governors are warning that the SNAP food assistance program will run out of funding in just two weeks. That means more than 42 million Americans, including 1.2 million veterans, are about to lose the support that puts food on their tables.

At the same time, the Trump Administration is preparing to allow out-of-pocket insurance premiums for some 22 million people with Affordable Care Act coverage to more than double before the open enrollment period begins on November 1. These are direct attacks on working families—on the people who make this country run.

We’re calling on Congress to act now to end this shutdown. Every day that it continues, working families suffer. Please take a minute today to make your voice heard. Call House Speaker Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Thune, and your senators and representative now at 844-896-5059 or click here to call.

On Tuesday, the Arizona AFL-CIO stood shoulder-to-shoulder with federal workers at a press conference held at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to demand an end to this unnecessary shutdown. Since it began on October 1, nearly 750,000 federal workers nationwide have been furloughed or forced to work without pay—including an estimated 34,460 right here in Arizona.

Speakers at the press conference included Congressman Greg Stanton, Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, Omar Algeciras, Regional Vice President of AFGE Local 2391 (Department of Labor), Aliyah Levin of AFGE Local 2391, and Juan Casarez, President of AFGE TSA Local 1250. Together, we sent a clear message: fund the government, fix the healthcare crisis, and put working people first.

In the spirit of solidarity and mutual aid, we are calling on local unions, community partners, and individual members to step up and help support the workers and families hit hardest by this shutdown. The Arizona AFL-CIO is partnering with the Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA) to distribute gift cards that will help affected AFGE members buy food and essential supplies.

A heartfelt thank you to UFCW Local 99, which has already contributed $20,000 to support these workers in need. Together, we can make sure no union member or working family is left behind.

If you’d like to contribute, donations are being accepted via PayPal. Every dollar makes a difference for a family that’s struggling because of this shutdown.

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Solidarity Support for Union Members Impacted by the Gov. Shutdown

In the spirit of union solidarity and mutual aid, we are asking local unions, community partners, and individual members to contribute monetary donations to help support these workers and their families. With these donations, the Arizona AFL-CIO will be working with Labor's Community Service Agency, which will provide gift cards that allow affected union members to purchase food and essential supplies they need most.

You can support in two ways: 

• By Check: Make checks payable to Arizona AFL-CIO and note "Federal Worker Aid - Government Shutdown" in the memo line. Mail to Arizona AFL-CIO, 3117 N. 16th St, STE 200, Phoenix, AZ 85016
• By PayPal: Donations can be made securely online at: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=BHQPL538A7K3E 

CALL: Stop the Shutdown and the Cuts to Working Families

Across the country, federal workers are struggling to pay bills without their paychecks. And President Trump and his allies in Congress still seem to have no interest in getting to work funding the government and fixing the health care crisis.

Meanwhile, time is running out for millions of working people and their families. Governors nationwide are sounding the alarm that SNAP, the federal food assistance program, will run out of funding in two weeks. That means more than 42 million Americans, including some 1.2 million veterans, are about to lose their food assistance.

Working people, seniors and kids across the country will go hungry because of the Trump shutdown. 

Please take a minute to make a call to House Speaker Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Thune, and your senators and representative today. Make a call now: 844-896-5059 or click here to call. Tell them to fund the government, fix the health care crisis and put working people first.

Tucson Labor & Community Join Canvas

Join AFSCME, Arizona List, Unite Here Local 11, TEA, LUCHA and other partners as we knock doors for our endorsed candidates in the Tucson City Council Race!

You will hear from leaders like Congresswoman Elect Adelita Grijalva, Mayor Regina Romero, Industrial Commission Member Cecilia Valdez, Senator Priya Sundareshan and others about the importance of this race and the need for more pro-worker candidates in Tucson.

No experience needed! We’ll provide all the training and materials you need. Just bring comfortable shoes, a charged phone, and your enthusiasm to help get out the vote for candidates who put working people first!

Wear your Labor Union / Organization's Shirts!

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. 

Starbucks Workers United Practice Picket in Phoenix

Starbucks Union workers are organizing and mobilizing to show the company that they are prepared to strike if the company does not come to the bargaining table. Starbucks has stalled for a year on bargaining for a living wage, fair scheduling and hours, and benefits. Numerous Unfair Labor Practices remain unremedied, and they are demanding that the company settle. 

They are asking for Union Sibling and Community Allies to come out to the practice picket and support them. 

Help Send CLUW AZ to the National CLUW Convention

The National CLUW Members in Arizona have re-formed — a significant milestone after many years. Because our new collective is still in formation, we cannot yet fundraise or open a bank account until our officers are sworn in at the CLUW National Convention this November. 

With your help, we can send at least 13 members to represent our state at the CLUW 23rd Biennial Convention in San Diego, November 9–11, 2025. Your contribution will help cover registration, travel, and lodging for members who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Or, if you prefer to contribute by check, please make it payable to our fiscal agent, CWA Local 7050, and mail to:

CWA Local 7050
Attn: President Tayqwoiseceyon Akins
3117 N. 16th St., Suite #100
Phoenix, AZ 85016

For questions or to coordinate a pledge, contact Vonda Wilkins, Interim Vice President, at 602-301-0861 or [email protected].

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.

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].

Air Traffic Controllers on Shutdown: 'Do  I have to go and drive Uber tonight?'

"Nearly three weeks into the government shutdown, the head of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said financial uncertainty is adding a risky distraction to employees."

Vote 'yes' on Proposition 50 Because We Aren't in Normal Times

"We aren’t in normal times, this isn’t a normal question, and it didn’t get put on the ballot lightly. Rather, extraordinary threats have been specifically directed at California by the Trump Administration: denying disaster aid to fire victims, ordering mass arrests without warrants, and imposing tariffs that raise our cost of living and reduce activity at our ports."

Biggest US Labor Unions Fuel No Kings Protests Against Trump: 'You need a voice to have freedom'

"With more than 2,700 events planned across the US, one organizer, James Phipps, 75, says: 'Protest is all I've done all my life.'"

Following Lawsuit by the AFT, Trump Administration Agrees to Deliver Student Debt Relief and Protect Borrowers from Tax Liability Due to Red Tape and Delays

"Today, the parties in AFT v. U.S. Department of Education filed a joint status report in federal court agreeing to a series of actions that will protect borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans and deliver student debt relief to borrowers making payments under those plans for decades, as required by federal law."

Workers at 4 DC Music Venues Push for Unionization

"Inconsistent schedules, low wages and juggling multiple jobs are some of the reasons why the group of workers is trying to unionize."

UPS to Expedite A/C Vehicles to Hottest States

"To help expedite delivery of 28,000 air-conditioned vehicles under the current national contract, United Parcel Service (UPS) has signed a new letter of agreement with the UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee to begin retrofitting 5,000 package cars with air conditioning for the hottest delivery zone in the country."

AFL-CIO Condemns Politically Motivated Charges Against SEIU Leader David Huerta

"AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement on the federal charges brought today against SEIU United Service Worker West and SEIU California President David Huerta."

Government Shutdown Squeezes Arizona Federal Workers, Turns Lives 'upside down'

"The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99, which represents private sector workers in Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, kicked off the drive with a $20,000 donation.  Ansari and Stanton noted that the House hasn’t been in session since Sept. 19 – a prolonged “vacation” that makes it hard to get a deal done."

ASU Dining Hall Workers Held Protest on Campus Over Alleged Surveillance and Interrogation by Management

"Hundreds of food service workers employed by Aramark, community, and students picketed outside Memorial Union on Wednesday in response to alleged unfair labor practices (ULP’s). The ULP charges, filed with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging surveillance and interrogation by Aramark management." 

Furloughs at Arizona's Biggest Army Post Mean Widespread Pain in Sierra Vista

"The Army uses the fort to train drone operators and military intelligence professionals, among other missions. Statewide, roughly 34,500 federal workers have been furloughed since Oct. 1 or are working without pay, according to the Arizona AFL-CIO. The Congressional Budget Office puts the nationwide tally at 750,000."

APRI- Phoenix Chapter Sponsors Historic First Graduates of AZBTC MC3 Pre-Apprenticeship Program

"On October 17th, the Arizona Trades Building celebrated another successful MC3 Pre-Apprenticeship Graduation, honoring a new class of skilled trades workers ready to enter union careers. The event marked a historic milestone as Austin Rothschild and Kiante Davis became the first graduates sponsored by the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) of Phoenix.

Rasean Clayton, President of APRI Phoenix, served as a guest speaker, congratulating the graduates and emphasizing the importance of creating pathways for underrepresented communities to join Arizona’s union workforce. The achievement of Rothschild and Davis highlights APRI’s growing commitment to equity and opportunity in the trades through partnerships with the Arizona Building Trades."

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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]