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Let’s be honest: things are too expensive.

That was one of the big messages from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler’s State of the Unions Address. Working people show up every day, work hard, and do everything we can to provide for our families. It’s time those in power show up for us, too.

This Saturday, September 12th, the Arizona AFL-CIO and Pima Area Labor Federation are kicking off our Tucson-area Labor 2026 canvass and phonebank program, and we want you there.

We’ll be joined by Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, and Representative Nancy Gutierrez for a morning of conversation, solidarity, and getting ready to talk with voters across Tucson.

This is a chance to come together, talk with our neighbors, and hear directly from community leaders about the issues that matter to working people — including the rising cost of living, good jobs, affordable health care, and retirement security. 

The Arizona AFL-CIO, Pima Area Labor Federation, and Maricopa Area Labor Federation recently announced our 2026 general election endorsements, and Saturday’s event will kick off voter outreach in the Tucson area.

We know what happens when union members show up and stand together. We’ve already seen the power of that solidarity this year. 

Bring a fellow union member, coworker, friend, or family member. We hope to see you there!

Click HERE to get more event details and register to volunteer.

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

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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].

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It's Time for America's Workers To Take Their Power Back

"That’s not asking for much. But families everywhere are stressing over every expense and stretching every paycheck to cover groceries, rent, health care and electric bills. Nearly four in 10 adults could not cover a $400 emergency expense with money they had on hand."

AFL-CIO Commemorates the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, Calls for Health Care Coverage for Responders and Survivors

"For the hundreds of thousands of responders and other survivors who were exposed to toxic dust after they were told it was safe to resume their lives, the physical toll has endured long after the dust settled. Twenty-five years later, we know that more firefighters have died from 9/11-related cancers and other illnesses than those who died on the day itself—a painful lesson in the long-term consequences of occupational and environmental exposures."

Wikipedia Workers Unionized for the First Time

"More than 200 people in roles such as engineering, finance, and communications will now be represented by Communications Workers of America."

Record 47% of Americans Want More Powerful Unions

"For only the second time in a quarter century, a majority of Republicans — 52% — approve of labor unions, according to a new Gallup poll."

Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority Workers Win Big Gains In Newly Ratified Contract

"WU Local 171 members, including Motorcoach Operators, Mechanics, Customer Service Agents and more, will receive a 14.5% pay increase over the life of the contract, along with a $3,500 signing bonus."

AFSCME Corrections Member in Puerto Rico Win Workplace Improvements After Tragedy

"After corrections officer Pedro Joel Rodriguez Mateo was killed by an inmate in 2019, corrections staff raised their voices in protest. At first, there were just four protesters in front of the prison, and they were dismissed."

Labor Day Picnic on Tucson's Westside Draws Dozen-Plus Unions

"The Pima Area Labor Federation hosts its annual Labor Day picnic at Joaquin Murrieta Park on the westside, where more than a dozen unions gathered to celebrate the labor movement and rally against those that benefit off the backs of workers."

Arizona Theatre Company Workers Ratify First Union Contract with IATSE 415

"The near unanimously approved contract covers 19 workers across scenic carpentry, painting, lighting, video, audio, properties, costume, hair and makeup, and other theatrical crafts at Arizona’s only League of Resident Theatres (LORT) professional regional theater. "

Giant Labor Day Banners Over 1-10 Freeway Call for Social Justice

"Poder in Action and Organized Power in Numbers, or OPIN, hung the two signs to remind Labor Day commuters that the holiday was founded to commemorate working-class people trying to make ends meet and to remind people they are not alone in their struggle for a better future, two spokespeople from the groups said. "

Looming Medicaid Changes Put Arizonans at Risk of Losing Coverage

"The law mandates, among other changes, imposing work requirements on certain populations enrolled in Medicaid, which is a government health insurance program primarily for people who have low incomes or have disabilities, or both."

Thank you for reading the Arizona Labor Dispatch! Can you help us grow our readership by sharing our sign-up form? 

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]