John,

“ICE’s continued occupation, actions, and tactics are harming communities throughout Minnesota and making us all less safe. They are indiscriminately targeting Minnesotans of color, regardless of citizenship or immigration status… On Friday, union members will join with our fellow Minnesotans to reject fear and speak with one voice as we call for ICE to leave our state, no additional funding for ICE, legal accountability for ICE’s killing of Renee Good, and for Minnesota’s large corporations to stop cooperating with ICE.”

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Representing Arizona’s Women in Labor – CLUW Town Hall

Join The Greater Western Arizona Coalition of Labor Union Women for a free, educational town hall on Saturday, January 31st, in Tucson. This event will uplift women leaders in labor and community advocacy while highlighting the power of women’s leadership in our movement. Doors open at 12:30 PM with light refreshments. Open to all.

Featured Speakers

• Adelita S. Grijalva – U.S. Representative (CD7) & Community Advocate
• Miranda Schubert – Tucson City Council Member (Ward 6), Union Member & Community Advocate
• Selina Barajas – Candidate for Tucson City Council Member (Ward 5), Community Advocate & Urban Planner

Stop the Scam! Webinar on Social media and AI-driven Fraud

Scams targeting older adults are escalating through social media and AI. Join us January 29 at 4 PM ET for a webinar launching the Alliance’s Stop the Scam Campaign, a year-long education and action initiative. Learn how these scams work, how communities can mobilize, and how collective action can strengthen protections. Open to all. 

Union Golf Tournament Supporting Apprenticeship Training

The Tucson Electrical Apprenticeship Golf Tournament tees off Friday, March 20, 2026, at Forty Niners Golf Club in Tucson. This four-person scramble supports the Tucson Electrical Apprenticeship Program and features raffle prizes, a Bloody Mary bar, and a $15,000 hole-in-one prize. Golfers and sponsors are welcome, but space is limited and registration is due by March 1. For details or sponsorship opportunities, contact Mike Tallis at [email protected].

CALL: Tell the Senate to Pass the Protect America's Workforce Act

The House of Representatives has passed the bill with a bipartisan majority. Now it's the Senate's turn. We need every Senator, Republican, Democrat, and Independent, who says they support America's unions to vote for the Protect America's Workforce Act and restore federal workers' union rights. 

So let's get this done. It's time to restore federal workers' collective bargaining rights and protect ALL union members' rights in this country. Urge your senators to co-sponsor the Protect America's Workforce Act. 

Support Arizona Charter School Workers' Right to Organize

Teachers and staff at City High School and Paulo Freire Freedom School announced their intent to form a union at a December Charter School Board meeting. In response, the board’s governing organization, City Center for Collaborative Learning, hired Littler Mendelson—an out-of-state law firm known for union-busting—and pursued costly legal action.

The board is arguing that charter school employees should not have the right to unionize or bargain collectively through a federally supervised election. If successful, this case could set a precedent that threatens organizing and bargaining rights for charter school workers across Arizona.

Littler Mendelson has also been used by corporations like Starbucks and Amazon to block workers from securing first contracts. Critics say public education funds should support students and educators—not efforts to undermine workers’ right to organize.

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 23rd Legislative Committee Meeting Recap

No Work Is Insignificant: What Working People Are Doing This Week

"A look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week."

The National AFL-CIO On Trump's First Year of His Second Term, 'Governed For and By Billionaire CEOs and Big Tech Companies'

"National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said: 'One year into President Trump’s second term, Working People’s lives are more expensive and less free. Trump has governed for and by the billionaire CEOs and Big Tech companies, making the wealthy and powerful even richer while Working People across the country struggle to get by. As the 2026 campaign kicks into gear, the Labor Movement will make sure Working People know about each and every broken promise - and work to elect leaders who will help us build an economy for Workers, not billionaire bosses.'"

Minnesota's Labor Movement Endorses 1/23 Day of Truth & Freedom

"The Executive Board of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state’s federation of more than 1,000 affiliated local unions, voted to endorse Friday’s Day of Truth and Freedom as Minnesotans stand together against ICE’s occupation of our communities and the unconstitutional detention of countless innocent Minnesotans including a significant number of union members."

Huge Win for TSA Workers as Judge Orders Agency to Honor Contract

"In a major victory for the 47,000 Transportation Security Officers represented by AFGE, a federal judge ruled last week that the Trump administration’s latest attempt to terminate their contract violates a standing court injunction."

Workers at the Metropolitan Museum Vote to Form Union

"More than three quarters of eligible employees voted in favour of forming a union with the United Auto Workers, which will represent hundreds of employees."

Nurses Describe Escalating Tension as NYC Strike Continues

"Nurses are voicing their growing frustration online and on the picket line as they mark five days on strike from jobs with Mount Sinai and the New York-Presbyterian and Montefiore health systems. Their grievances now include not just their workplace conditions and health insurance but also how their employers are reacting to the strike."

In the First Year of Second Term, Trump Governed for and by Billionaire CEOs and Big Tech Companies

"The administration committed the single biggest act of union-busting in history, launched a brutal assault on immigrants and communities across the country, and attacked our most treasured rights, including the freedom of speech."

'Means a lot': Arizona Workers Appreciate New Recommendations from Heat Safety Task Force

"Governor Hobbs' new task force has issued its final recommendations for Summer 2026. The guidance will be reviewed on Feb. 4th."

Sky Harbor Workers File Wage Theft Complaints Against Private Equity-Owned Inflight Catering Provider Sky Cafe

"Since Sky Café took over the American Airlines food service contract at Sky Harbor, at least six workers allege they were not paid for all hours worked. As a result, six wage theft complaints have been filed with the Industrial Commission of Arizona. An additional complaint has been filed with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office alleging that at least five workers were effectively paid below Arizona’s minimum wage."

How Phoenix Musicians are Taking On ICE and Helping Families

"On Feb. 1, Voices United will host a benefit event at Club Contact in Phoenix featuring speakers, a local art auction and live performances by Jonny Piyamas, Jerusafunk, Srifja, SZN in the Sun, Nutter Tut, Trip Hazard, Prime Society, Joelie, Andrew Hoffman, Casti, David Moroney, Randy Perez, Eli and Freaknix. You can bid on the art in the week leading up to the live auction online."

'Makes you sick': Navajo Man Says He Was Detained by ICE in Peoria

"'I do iron work, welding, and millwright work. A lot of what I do, make, financially, goes home to support my family back home. I have my kids, I have my baby niece, my mother, my livestock,' Yazzie 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]