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This month, the Arizona AFL‑CIO proudly highlights Jason Sangster, Business Manager, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer of Ironworkers Local 75 — a dedicated union leader whose work reflects the deep values of community, solidarity, and perseverance that have long guided Indigenous and labor traditions alike.
Jason is of the “One Who Walks Around Clan,” born for the “Towering House Clan.” His grandfathers are of the Hopi People, and his paternal grandfathers are of the “Big Water Clan.” A second-generation union ironworker from the Navajo and Hopi Nation, Jason followed in the footsteps of his father and uncles, joining Ironworkers Local 75 in 2002.
He quickly took on leadership roles, beginning as a trustee and sergeant-at-arms in 2009, serving on the Executive and Examining Boards in 2012, and later as a business agent. In 2019, Jason was elected Business Manager of Local 75 and has since been re-elected twice, proudly representing over a thousand Arizona ironworkers.
Before taking on leadership, Jason spent 12 years in the field with Schuff Steel Company, where he worked his way up from apprentice to general foreman. His craftsmanship can be seen in projects across the state — including the 3rd Ave Jail, Maricopa County Court Tower, Casino Arizona, Twin Arrows Casino, Tucson Medical Center, Intel, Phoenix Raceway, and Desert Diamond Casino — as well as major works along the West Coast, from San Diego’s Otay Detention Center to the Emerald Queen Casino in Washington.
Jason also served as a Trustee of the Arizona Building Trades from 2019 to 2025, and in 2025, he was appointed Vice President of the Arizona Building Trades.
His dedication continues to build both Arizona’s skyline and the strength of its labor movement.
This Native American Heritage Month, we honor Jason Sangster — a proud Navajo and Hopi ironworker who embodies what it means to lead, build, and serve.
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Fred Yamashita Secretary-Treasurer Executive Director |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIONS |
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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:
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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! |
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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. |
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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]. |
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OPINION |
10 ways you are being burned by billionaires“An economy rigged to funnel so much wealth and power to the billionaire class is bad for you and everyone else. It undermines your life in some major ways.”
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NATIONAL NEWS |
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Developers have found a way to bypass Berkeley’s labor standards for housing construction
"More than two years after Berkeley leaders adopted a set of union-backed labor standards for major construction projects, the developers behind three proposed new apartment complexes plan to use one of California’s most powerful state housing laws to exempt themselves from the mandates."
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If Condé Nast Can Illegally Fire Me, No Union Worker Is Safe
"Condé Nast illegally fired me from Bon Appétit for posing questions to a human resources manager. On November 5, I was part of an effort by our union to get answers about layoffs. Two days earlier, Condé announced the near-shuttering of Teen Vogue, which entailed letting go of eight people. My termination and that of three of my coworkers were clearly retaliatory, and if Condé can get away with this—and with President Donald Trump sabotaging the National Labor Relations Board, the company appears to be betting that it can—it will send a message to unions and employers across our industry that the foundations of labor law are collapsing."
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Aramark workers could strike 'any day' following union vote
"ASU dining hall workers voted Monday to authorize a potential strike, which, if deemed necessary, could begin at any time. Food service employees at the University have been in the process of negotiating a new contract after their collective bargaining agreement with Aramark expired on Aug. 31."
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Thank you for reading the Arizona Labor Dispatch! Can you help us grow our readership by sharing our sign-up form? |
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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] |
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