John,

“Last night, voters across the country sent a clear message: When candidates stand with workers, they win.”

“The candidates who earned voters’ trust focused on making life more affordable, creating good jobs and restoring the dignity of work.”

“From now until Election Day 2026, the labor movement will run an unprecedented ground game to engage millions of workers about what’s at stake … and the path to a better future for our families.”

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.

Veteran Led, Backed by Families, Powered by Allies

Join Worker Power, VetsForward, UNITE HERE Local 11, and partners for a Veterans Day weekend caravan from Tucson to Sierra Vista, then to Phoenix, to raise awareness of the critical issues affecting veterans and their families. At each stop, there will be a rally with veterans, partners, elected leaders, and allies.

Caravan Stops:

• Starting Point | Saturday, 11/8: Phoenix

• First Stop | Saturday, 11/8: Tucson

• Second Stop | Sunday, 11/9: Sierra Vista

• Third/Last Stop | Monday, 11/10: Phoenix

If you are interested in being a part of the whole caravan, please select all three time slots. If you can only join us on one leg, please select the date and location you would like to attend.

Additional information is needed after signing up to be part of the entire caravan. Please check your email after signing up to complete the next steps.

15th Annual NALC Arizona Golf Tournament – Benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Join NALC Arizona Merged Branch 1902 for their 15th Annual Golf Tournament on Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Tee times start at 8:00 AM at Ahwatukee Country Club (12432 S. 48th St, Phoenix, AZ).

This 4-player scramble is limited to 120 golfers. Entry is $75 for veterans and $100 for non-veterans.

Checks payable to: Arizona Merged Branch 1902
Mail to: NALC Branch 1902 / MDA, 262 W. 2nd Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210

For more info, email [email protected].

Volunteers Needed: AZ AFL-CIO Citizenship Fair

Our free Citizenship Fair is this Friday, November 14th in Tucson, Arizona, and we need your help! This event provides free assistance to eligible Arizonans navigating the citizenship process -- but we can't do it without volunteers like you!

Can you join us for a shift?

For questions, thoughts, or concerns, please contact Esau Gutierrez, the Arizona AFL-CIO’s Training Specialist, at [email protected] or by calling (480) 514-6632.

Support Carl Roki's Family During Recovery

One of the members from CWA 7026 recently faced an emergency heart surgery and is currently recovering in the hospital. During this difficult time, a GoFundMe account has been established by fellow members at Piedmont to help support him.

If you can, please consider contributing to this cause. Your generosity would mean a lot and greatly assist him during his recovery. Thank you for your kindness!

Protect Arizona Workers from Extreme Heat - Deadline Nov. 15th

Extreme heat is one of the deadliest hazards for workers in Arizona, yet there are still no legal protections guaranteeing water, shade, and rest on the job. That’s why the Arizona Heat Standards Coalition launched this petition: demanding heat standard protections for every worker 

Governor Hobbs’ Workplace Heat Safety Task Force is currently debating these protections — and your signature can make a difference. Every name shows decision-makers that we won’t wait for another tragedy before acting.

Through an executive order, Governor Hobbs can ensure no worker dies from extreme heat on the job. Please sign and share with friends, family, and colleagues — the more voices, the harder our elected officials must listen.

No Contract, No Coffee Pledge

After months of stonewalling by Starbucks, unionized baristas just voted 92% to authorize a ULP strike unless the company finalizes fair contracts & stops union-busting.

If forced, Starbucks baristas will strike in dozens of cities on Nov 13 – the company’s busiest sales day of the year, Red Cup Day.

Union baristas are calling on allies to STOP BUYING STARBUCKS if they strike. Brian Niccol, who has helmed Starbucks since last year, was given $96million for just 120 days of work in 2024. Finalizing the contracts and resolving unfair labor practice charges would cost the company less than one day’s sales… yet, Starbucks and Niccol are continuing to fight their workers.

WNBPA Players Deserve a Higher Salary and Better Working Conditions

Last October, WNBA players opted out of their 2020 collective bargaining agreement to demand higher salaries, a real revenue share system, better working conditions and improved player benefits.

Now, after months of stalling negotiations, the WNBA and team owners continue to ignore player demands and jeopardize the future of women’s professional basketball.

Will you send an email to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and other stakeholders?

Click on the button below to send a letter⤵️

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].

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].

I was Elected 6 Weeks Ago. Speaker Mike Johnson Refuses to Swear Me In

"It's time for House Speaker Mike Johnson to end his vacation and get back to the work that the American people elected us to do."

After No Kings, How Can We Escalate?

"Of the many good reasons why you shouldn’t give up hope, the first is that popular resistance is growing, as seen in the recent Indivisible-initiated No Kings day protests, the largest in U.S. history. Second, Trump’s policies are unpopular, and large numbers of Americans are searching for a viable alternative. Third, if opposition to authoritarianism and economic mismanagement becomes wide enough, an anti-Trump electoral wave in 2026 and 2028 might still be large enough to swamp electoral machinations. Fourth, Trump is very old, and it’s not obvious that MAGA can survive its megalomaniac ringleader."

AFL-CIO and OPEIU File Supreme Court Motion in SpaceX v. NLRB to Protect Workers' Rights and the NLRB's Authority

"The AFL-CIO and the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) filed a motion to intervene with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of a 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision in the SpaceX case. The motion asks the court to allow OPEIU to defend the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB’s) authority and protect workers’ ability to seek justice for labor law violations with the agency."

LACMA Staff Seeks to Unionize, Citing Low Wages and "Expanded Workloads"

"The new labor alliance would represent over 300 museum staffers, a workforce composed of curators, educators, guest relations associates and more. As detailed in an open letter announcing its formation, LACMA United urges museum management to “extend beyond rethinking hierarchies of display to include prioritizing the people who bring its mission to life."

As Heat Gets More Extreme, Pregnant Farmworkers are Increasingly at Risk

"Agricultural workers are already among the most vulnerable to extreme heat, and pregnant workers are coming under greater risk as temperatures rise because of climate change. Many in the U.S. are low-income Latino immigrants who toil under the sizzling sun or in humid nurseries open year round. Heat exposure has been linked to many extra risks for pregnant people, and while protections exist, experts say they need better enforcement and more safeguards are needed."

Obamacare Enrollee Sees Premium Spike over 300% as Sign-Up Period Begins: "This Will Devastate Us'

"For Cox and her husband, who live in Kanab, Utah, even if the tax credit were to be extended, they'd still see the premium increase to $753.68. It would be a hit to their budget, but one they would take to keep insurance."

Security Officers Win Record Contract

"Since kicking off their contract campaign in June, security officers have been clear in their goals for a new CBA, primarily higher wages. Their jobs have become more complex and demanding in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers report they’re often the first on scene when a community member is facing a medical crisis in public."

Gov't Shutdown Means Limbo for Union Push by True Concord Musicians

"Tucson orchestra players have tried to organize for more than a year, but management won't voluntarily recognize union."

Pima Area Labor Federation Hosts Drive-Through Food Bank: Congresswoman-Elect Adelita Grijalva Assists

"Stories like Miranda's and Drane's are the reason that PALF, The Community Food Bank, and multiple organizations joined forces to help."

Phoenix TSA Office Speaks on Working Unpaid Through Government Shutdown

"Jovan Petkovich has been working with TSA for the last ten years and tells ABC15 he’s seeing a difference between this shutdown and the one in 2019. Petkovich is also a local union representative part of the labor union that represents federal employees, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)."

Workers and City Leaders Sound Alarm as Sky Café's Insufficient Action Threatens Airport Stability as Layoffs Take Effect

"On Wednesday, longtime airline catering workers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport marked their first day out of work after Sky Café, owned by private equity firm Atlantic Street Capital, officially took over American Airlines’ catering operations from LSG Sky Chefs. The transition has left 59 experienced workers jobless and uncertain about their futures."

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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]