John,

Arizona’s labor movement is standing united with Senator Mark Kelly — a veteran, a patriot, and a lifelong champion for working people — as he faces an unprecedented and baseless attack on his service and integrity.

Senator Kelly has spent his entire career putting others first. From flying combat missions as a Navy Captain to fighting in the U.S. Senate for working families, seniors, and union members, his dedication has always been rooted in duty, integrity, and love of this country.

He has fought to protect Social Security and Medicare, lower costs for seniors through the Inflation Reduction Act, strengthen workers’ rights by supporting the PRO Act, and deliver tens of thousands of high-paying, union-supporting jobs to Arizona through the CHIPS Act.

Senator Kelly has always stood up for working people. Now, it’s our turn to stand with him.

The Arizona AFL-CIO has launched a petition to show Senator Kelly that the labor movement and the people he has championed are with him during this unwarranted attack. We are asking every union member, family member, and ally to add their name.

👉 Sign the petition today and show Senator Kelly that working people have his back.

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Sign The Petition, Tell Senator Kelly, Working People Have Your Back!

Senator Mark Kelly has always stood with Arizona’s working families — now he’s facing an unprecedented and baseless attack on his service and integrity. As a veteran and lifelong champion for workers, he deserves our solidarity. Add your name to show Senator Kelly that working people have his back.

Press Conference & Petition Delivery: Enforceable Heat Standards Now

Join the Arizona Heat Standard Coalition at the Arizona State Capitol on Tuesday, December 2nd, at 10:45 AM to call for strong, enforceable heat protections for workers ahead of next summer.

As part of this event, we will be delivering more than 1.500 petitions from Arizonans urging Governor Hobbs and the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) to adopt enforceable heat protections.

Led by a steering committee of AFSCEME, Agave Community Threads, AZ AANHPI, Arizona Jobs with Justice, EDF Action, Mi Familia en Acción, National VOSH, SEIU, and UNITE HERE.

*Recruiting workers who have experienced laboring in extreme heat to speak: Please reach out to Jazmin Moreno (602) 718-2768 or [email protected] if you have members who are interested.

Maricopa Area Labor Federation Unity Holiday Dinner

Join the Maricopa Area Labor Federation and our Constituency Groups for an evening of unity, joy, and solidarity at our MALF & Constituency Groups Unity Dinner.

There will be a White Elephant Gift Exchange. Please indicate whether you will participate in the optional white elephant gift exchange by putting WE in the signup box with your union/org designation. ($20 gift value)

This buffet-style potluck holiday dinner will bring together leaders, activists, and community partners from APRI, LCLAA, CLUW, PALF, ADP, MCDP, Unite Here Local 11, Worker Power, and more. We’ll share a meal, celebrate our wins, and recommit to building power for working people across Maricopa County.

No Contract, No Coffee Pledge

Join the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, Maricopa Area Labor Federation, and community partners to support the PV Community Food Bank with food and hygiene donations. With SNAP Benefits delayed in November and the holidays approaching, many of our neighbors need extra support to keep their families fed and to deal with rising costs.

With a special thanks to UA Plumbers and Pipefitters 469 for hosting the event!

Click on the link below to see a list of recommended donations and to donate now ⤵️

No Contract, No Coffee Pledge

Call on Starbucks CEO, Brian Niccol to bargain a fair contract with Starbucks Workers United baristas. Show support for Starbucks baristas in their fight for a union and a fair contract, and pledge not to cross the picket line.

Tell LanguageLine Solutions to Respect Interpreters' Voices

Access to interpretation and translation services is a civil right in the United States, rooted in the principle that language barriers should not lead to discrimination or prevent people from accessing essential programs and services. 

LanguageLine Solutions interpreters work every day, serving hospitals, courtrooms, banks, and schools across the United States. Their work ensures language access in situations that impact people's health, legal rights, insurance, and finances. 

Yet, interpreters face unstable hours, inadequate training, and often overwhelming workloads due to cost-cutting practices. These conditions degrade both service quality and worker well-being. 

Stand with LanguageLine Solutions interpreters in demanding that Teleperformance and LanguageLine Solutions live up to their commitments and respect the right to unionize.

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].

Clean Energy Jobs are a New Mission Worth Fighting For

"Our state ranks second in the nation for solar energy potential, and as of this summer, Arizona had the fifth-highest operating and the third-highest planned or under construction solar electricity generation capacity in the country. But the boom doesn’t end there. In recent years, Arizona has also become a significant hub for battery manufacturing and is among the top ten states for electric vehicle registrations."

Hawaiian Air Jobs Must Stay in Hawaii

"Skilled machinists who work on Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet and those working on Alaska Airlines’ planes are represented by two different labor unions. Now that Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian has made the two airlines one company — with one operating certificate, and Alaska in control — these workers must choose one union. And that choice could determine whether Hawaiian’s maintenance operation and its jobs have a home-base future in Hawaii."

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Ski Patrol Seeks Union Amid Widespread Resort Labor Activity

"Late Thursday afternoon, patrollers submitted a petition for a union representation election with the National Labor Relations Board, the first step toward forming a union. Roughly 93% of eligible patrollers backed the petition, according to a press release posted on Instagram."

State Theater Workers Approve Labor Agreement

"State Theatre workers in Portland have approved their first contract with the venue operator after nearly a year of negotiations."

Farm Workers Sue Trump Administration

"Workers fight back against Labor Department rule that will take billions from workers' pockets to hand to their employers."

UC Workers Ratify 'Best Contract Yet' After Four Strikes and 17 Months of Negotiations

"Union representing 21,000 healthcare, research, and technical professionals celebrates what union leaders call a historic win."

House Letter Opposing Limitations on State Regulation of AI

"A federal preemption provision would override state and local authority, stripping our communities of the ability to safeguard workers and the general public. It is outrageous that only months after the Senate—in a rare moment of near unanimity—rejected a state moratorium amendment in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” 99–1, Big Tech is now urging Congress to relitigate this issue."

SNAP Benefits Resume, but New Work Requirements put 124K Arizona Recipients at Risk

"The tighter eligibility rules will reduce the rolls by 2.4 million nationwide, according to Congressional Budget Office projections. In Arizona, about 124,000 recipients are at risk of losing benefits, according to an analysis from the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities."

Union Starbucks Baristas' Unfair Labor Practice Strike Grows as Workers in 25 New Cities Join Historic Action

"'We’re joining the unfair labor practice strike because we know that together we can build a better future at Starbucks,' said Sabrina Martinez (she/her), a shift supervisor of 5 years from Gilbert, Ariz. who joined the ULP strike on Thursday. 'We know what’s broken at Starbucks and how to turn this company around. But instead of listening to us and investing in baristas, Starbucks is refusing to resolve ULPs or work together in good faith to finalize a contract that ensures the pay, hours, and staffing we need to succeed. Until they do, we’ll be on the picket line.'" 

Here's Why Some Arizonans are Boycotting Amazon, Target, and Home Depot on Black Friday

"A coalition of organizations—including Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom—launched a new campaign called ‘We Ain’t Buying It,’ a five-day targeted boycott against companies they say are cowing to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant and anti-DEI policies."

Phoenix Touts Progress in Preventing Heat Deaths, Eyes Future Plans

"This year, there were 44,000 visits to the city’s cooling and respite centers, according to city officials, visits that include its 24-hour center, which opened last year. That building, located at 20 W. Jackson St. was open to anyone who needed it, including children and pets. Three other cooling centers, part of a network of over 100 in the county, offered extended hours."

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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]