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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 

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.

Worker Town Hall - November 22nd

Workers United - WSRJB is mobilizing in District 6 in Tucson, Arizona! They are hosting a Workers Town Hall on November 22nd from 3 pm to 7 pm, to get our community in District 6 ready to fight for our family's future as we move towards the midterm election!

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].

Under the government shutdown, NLRB cases are on hold, future of the agency remains uncertain

"As the government shutdown continues, nearly a quarter of the federal workforce is furloughed. That means that more than 600,000 workers are not performing important federal service jobs – and are not receiving a paycheck."

‘Red cup rebellion’: striking Starbucks baristas urge customers to stay away

"More than a thousand Starbucks workers across the US walked off the job on Thursday in over 40 cities, marking one of the largest coordinated actions yet by the rapidly growing union movement inside the world’s largest coffee chain."

Arizona Veterans protest federal workforce cuts and veteran deportations

"Veterans laughed and teased each other outside the Arizona State Capitol, but the reason for their gathering wasn’t so chipper. Dozens joined with lawmakers and community advocates to denounce the federal government’s treatment of veterans."

Heat and toxic exposures could harm kidneys in agricultural workers

"New findings published in the journal Environmental Research underscore the potential health risks of heat exposure and the need for safety precautions."

Will federal workers in Arizona receive backpay? What to know after shutdown ends

"Most federal workers were not paid for the month of October and the first part of November. That included tens of thousands of federal employees in Arizona, who work for numerous federal agencies in the Grand Canyon State. Some workers were furloughed, while others were deemed essential and ordered to work without pay."

After a year of fires, shutdown and uncertainty, Grand Canyon workers are close to unionizing

"The government shutdown is over, meaning federal employees who’d been furloughed will be back to work — and those who were forced to work without pay will finally get a paycheck."

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]