John,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

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.

WNBA Players Deserve a Higher Salary and Better Working Conditions

Last October, WNBA players opted out of their 2020 collective bargaining agreement to demand higher salaries, a real revenue share system, better working conditions and improved player benefits.

Now, after months of stalling negotiations, the WNBA and team owners continue to ignore player demands and jeopardize the future of women’s professional basketball.

Will you send an email to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and other stakeholders?

Fill out the form to send an email to tell Engelbert and Silver to stop playing games, negotiate in good faith and pay the players.

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.

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].

Arizona AFL-CIO Legislative Committee Meetings

The Arizona 2026 Legislative Session begins on Monday, January 12th. As always, the Arizona AFL-CIO will be advocating for working families every step of the way.  We will be providing support on consensus issues of our affiliates, opposing legislation that attacks workers, and supporting ongoing efforts to ensure worker safety on the job. 

To make sure union members are prepared, we invite you to join us every Friday at 9:30 AM via Zoom. These weekly meetings are an opportunity to learn about key issues being discussed, understand what's happening at the Capitol, and ensure that your voices are heard in the decision-making process. 

January 9th Legislative Committee Meeting Recap

The Starbucks Strike Is An Important Fight for Baristas Like Me

"My store hasn’t been adequately staffed for as long as I can remember. One of us is taking orders, making food, teas, drip coffee and talking with customers; the other is working through the never-ending stream of cafe and mobile orders. Some days it’s just me handling it all. The line wraps through the building, and people are left waiting — if not fuming."

Striking Barista on Starbucks' Engame: "They Don't Want Working People to Have a Voice"

"Silva Baldwin, a bargaining delegate for Starbucks Workers United, explains why more than 3,800 baristas are on strike against 'the biggest labor law violator in modern history.'"

Statement on Minneapolis ICE Killing

"As a Labor Movement, the First Amendment is essential to our mission of bringing economic and social justice to our workplaces, community, state, and nation. Left unchecked, today’s actions pose a dire threat to our precious freedoms."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Owners Couldn't Bust the Union, So They Shut Down the Paper

"The announcement follows the newspaper publisher losing a nearly decade-long attempt to bust unions at the paper. In July of 2020, the Post-Gazette illegally tore up the previously collective bargained union contract governing working conditions at the paper and unilaterally imposed work rules that worsened health care coverage and other benefits. Workers went on strike for more than three years over the company’s illegal behavior."

Boston Firefighters Gain 8.5% Pay Raise, Longevity Increases and Increased LODD Benefits

"The $90 million, four-year agreement adds longevity step raises and streamlines paid details, changes city and union leaders say will support retention and strength operations."

Telluride Ski Resort Patrollers Continue Their Fight For a Fair Contract in Week Two of Strike

"Members of the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Union - part of United Mountain Workers (UMW)/Communications Workers of America (CWA ) Local 7781, have been on Strike since December 27th (2025) to secure a contract with fair wages and safety standards to attract and retain essential Staff."

On Jan. 1, Striking Employees in Oregon Can Receive Unemployment

"A law passed by the Oregon legislature in 2025 and taking effect in the new year will allow workers involved in labor disputes to receive unemployment insurance benefits while on strike, with certain conditions."

Charter Schools City High, Paulo Freire Say They Will Unionize, Vote Coming Next Year

"On Thursday, staff and teachers brought that message of community full circle — announcing to their board that they will form a union — at the CITY Center for Collaborative Learning, a nonprofit that includes City High and two middle schools: Paulo Freire Freedom School, University and Downtown campuses." 

Federal Court Orders Arizona Roofing Contractor to Pay Wages, Damages to 61 Workers Denied Overtime Wages

"The department’s Wage and Hour Division determined the Phoenix-based Collum Roofing Inc. neglected to pay workers the legally required time and one-half their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The employer paid hourly rates for some jobs and piece rates for others which resulted in straight-time pay for all hours worked but failed to maintain time records for work performed under the piece rate, which is necessary to determine the number of hours worked for purposes of minimum wage and overtime compliance. "

Request to Speak Allows Thousands to Weigh In on Arizona Law

"Since 2015, a total of 110,807 user accounts have been created and 90,060 are active, the Arizona Capitol Times found after a data request. A total of 73,013 users made a Request to Speak or gave their position on proposed legislation in the last decade."

Avelo Airlines to End Deportation Flights From Mesa Gateway Airport

"The company signed an agreement for a long-term charter program last April and flights started the following month. Protests were held outside the airport that day. The Mesa base is set to close Jan. 27, but it’s unclear when the last deportation flight will be since the federal government determines the flight schedules, an Avelo Airlines spokesperson said."

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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]