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].

What Does A Just World Look Like?

"WSLC President April Sims reflects on 2025 and shares her vision for Washington's labor movement in the new year and beyond."

Proposal to Notify Worker of ICE Audits Worth the Cost to WA Budget

"The bill is intended to lessen the chances of raids on workplaces where unsuspecting workers are snatched up and detained by immigration officers, often without due process. Such practices have been all too common in the 11 months of the Trump administration, resulting in families being torn apart and businesses negatively impacted."

'Completely unacceptable': AFT President Randi Weingarten Slams Trump Administration's 800,000-Borrower Student Loan Forgiveness Backlog

"AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement responding to the Trump administration’s updated filing showing a continued massive backlog in student loan forgiveness. The administration was forced to provide periodic status updates on forgiveness as part of a court-approved settlement reached with the AFT in October. The union had previously sued the Department of Education for failing to provide millions of borrowers with the relief they are owed under the law."

Behind the Worker-led Push to Unionize the Columbus Metropolitan Library

"Last week, CML United initiated the unionization process when it delivered signed union cards representing a supermajority of eligible library workers to Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board, taking the biggest step yet in a slow-building process that started more than 18 months ago."

Chicago Public Schools Lunchroom Workers Near 6 Months Without a Contract: "No one sees us'

"Wages are the sticking point in the bargaining process for CPS lunchroom workers, who have been without a contract for nearly six months. The 1,800 members of UNITE HERE Local 1, including lunchroom attendants, cooks and porters, remain among the lowest-paid CPS employees. Many, like Garcia, say they struggle to afford basic expenses."

Build-A-Bear Workshop Union Station Employees Unanimously File to Join UFCW Local 655

"Assistant workshop managers, sales leads and bear builders at the Build-A-Bear Workshop at Union Station have filed unanimously to join UFCW Local 655 and have requested voluntary recognition of the union from their employer."

AFL-CIO Slams Trump Administration for Another Illegal Union-Busting Attack on TSA Workers Just Before the Holidays

"This is DHS’ second attempt to union-bust TSA in explicit retaliation for members standing up for their rights, and comes as their union, AFGE, is still fighting for justice in court. A union contract ensures TSA officers can speak up about dangerous working conditions, shift scheduling, and more. Without those protections, we are all less safe."

Striking Starbucks Workers Get Visit and Lunch from Sen. Gallego

"Kalota’s union is demanding Starbucks negotiate a fair contract. And they have support from Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego. He said unions are leverage over the rich and powerful. 'Think about how ridiculous this is, they shut down a Starbucks because they are afraid of working-class people getting a decent wage and having some power,' Gallego said. A Starbucks spokesperson says 99% of stores are open, and the company is ready to negotiate once the union is willing to resume contract talks." 

Tucson Starbucks Employees Join Nationwide Picket Lines

"Tucson was one of 34 cities that joined the strike Thursday, making it the largest expansion of the strike to date. According to Starbucks Workers United, more than 3,800 baristas have joined the strike that has now spread to more than 180 stores across 130 cities, as the strike becomes the longest work stoppage in the company’s history."

Katie Hobbs Earns the Endorsement of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans

"Today, Katie Hobbs is proud to announce the endorsement of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, a leading grassroots senior organization dedicated to protecting the health, economic security, and civil rights of older Arizonans. The Alliance is supporting Gov. Hobbs because of her unwavering commitment to lowering costs for seniors, strengthening retirement security, and ensuring older Arizonans can age with dignity."

Arizona Senator Targets AI 'Surveillance Pricing' with Bill to End Online Price Gouging

"Using artificial intelligence, corporations have been compiling personal data like a consumer’s location, the type of device they are using to shop, and even their mouse movements on a website to charge different amounts to people for the same products—creating individualized prices for different consumers."

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