John,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Voice Media Group: New Times Journalists Deserve A Fair Contract!

Journalists at Phoenix New Times and Miami New Times are pushing for fair pay, better parental leave, health care, and just-cause protections. Voice Media Group, which owns both papers, has so far refused to meet these basic worker needs, impacting both employees and local news coverage. Stand with these journalists by signing their petition to demand a fair contract.

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.

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.

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].

How to Fly Union

"Today, four big carriers account for more than two-thirds of the U.S. domestic passenger airline industry: Delta, Southwest, American, and United. Delta, the largest, is also the least-unionized."

Harvard Shouldn't Leave Its Workers Behind

"Over the summer, Harvard removed over 800 students from its graduate student union, effectively decreasing that union’s bargaining power. Moreover, after Harvard Academic Workers-United Auto Workers, which represents thousands of non-tenure-track faculty, voted to unionize in April 2024, negotiations have barely moved."

AFL-CIO Calls on Senators to Stop Health Care Price Hike and Save American Jobs

"Some 22 million Americans will have their premiums doubled and 179 million workers with employer-based insurance will be forced to pay more for worse care. Working people will end up rationing prescription drugs, choosing between buying groceries or paying their electric bill, and going without the medical care we need."

New York City Bill Aims to Ban Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' in Firefighting Gear

"Approval of legislation to ban Pfas would be major win for advocates pushing for safer gear alternatives across US."

Determination Leads to Victory: Puerto Rico's Public Safety Professionals Win Overdue Raises

"Correctional officers and other public safety professionals in Puerto Rico are celebrating after years of fighting for fair wages. More than 3,500 employees at the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation will see a significant pay increase starting Dec. 16. "

'Abbot Elementary' Production Assistants Unanimously Vote to Unionize

"PAs on the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary voted in favor of unionizing with Production Assistants United on Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Eight eligible PAs participated in a National Labor Relations Board election, with all voting to join the union."

AFL-CIO Joins Defense of Somali-Americans After Trump Hate Attack

"Trump launched his rant against Somalis after an Afghan refugee who had worked for the CIA in his home country, and who was an interpreter for U.S. forces there, drove across country and shot two West Virginia National Guardspeople patrolling D.C. after their governor sent them there. One died, and the other was seriously wounded."

Gallego to Picket with Starbucks Baristas in Longest Strike in Company History

"The longest-ever nationwide unfair labor practice strike in Starbucks’ company history is underway, and strikes are only growing. It began Nov. 13. Gallego will join the unionized Starbucks workers at a Gilbert picket line on Friday morning." 

Rep. Adelita Grijalva Says She Was Sprayed During ICE Raid in Tucson

"Two agents were injured, and U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva was in the vicinity as protesters were sprayed. The Democratic congresswoman from Arizona took to social media, claiming she was sprayed in the face and accused immigration enforcement officers of operating without transparency or accountability."

Arizona Medicaid Now Covers Traditional Healing, Helping Native Communities Preserve Tradition

"'I’m really happy that, after over a decade, or to this point, that the advocates in our state didn’t give up and that we just kept moving it forward because we really understood the value of it,' said Kim Russell, policy advisor at Sage Memorial Hospital on the Navajo Nation, speaking about the longstanding effort to get traditional healing covered by Medicaid."

Governor Katie Hobbs Invests $1 Million to Reduce Child Care Licensing Fees

"Part of her Bright Futures AZ initiative to improve access to child care, this investment aims to increase child care availability and support child care providers by lowering costs and expanding the network of providers that serve Arizona families."

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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]