john,

As you’ll notice from our “Local News” section of this weeks’ issue, Arizona’s legislative session is in full swing. Over the last four weeks, members of the Arizona legislature’s majority party have introduced dozens of bills to restrict our voting rights, undermine our labor unions, and threaten the solvency of our public schools.

Firstly, I want to highlight the incredible work of the Arizona Coalition for Working Families in opposing the legislatures’ egregiously anti-worker agenda this session. Arizona’s unions represent a broad, diverse cross-section of our state’s workforce and as such, the priorities of our coalition partners are not always perfectly aligned. However, as union members, we are united by our values to protect our democracy and ensure that all working people have a voice on the job.

This week, the Arizona labor movement worked to oppose SB 1166, an ALEC model bill introduced by Senator Vince Leach (R, LD11) is designed to significantly limit the work of Arizona’s public employee unions and the workers they represent. This dangerously vague proposal is yet another example of the continued influence that Koch-connected interests have on our legislative process. You can watch the full committee hearing on SB 1166 here.

Throughout this legislative session, we will continue to work with our affiliated unions, coalition partners, and members of the community to protect the rights and interests of working Arizonans. Thank you for standing shoulder-to-shoulder in our continued fight for justice and equality at work. 

In solidarity, 

Fred Yamashita.

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Add Your Name: Pass H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act, in the Senate
 
Following years of debate to build consensus, it is time to pass this vital and carefully constructed legislation, a bipartisan compromise bill that will bring financial stability to the Postal Service.

Support Rich Product Workers on Strike

Members of BCTGM Local 37 have been on strike against Rich Products Corp. at the Jon Donaire production plant in Santa Fe Springs, California since November 3rd. Here's how you can support them:

• Please DO NOT buy Jon Donaire ice cream cakes from Cold Stone Creamery, Baskin Robbins, or grocery stores.
• Share your support online with the hashtag #RichProductsPoorWorkers
• Follow @BCTGM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Biden Task Force Releases Report to Strengthen Labor Unions

"A Biden administration task force on organized labor on Monday issued a set of recommendations that could make it easier for federal workers and contractors to unionize. The report submitted to President Joe Biden included 70 distinct policy proposals, according to a release by the White House. Biden created the task force chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris, with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh as vice chair, through an executive order last April..."

Union Apprenticeships Rival Four-Year Degrees, Says New Study

"A new study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute found that a union apprenticeship may be a better ticket to the middle class than a traditional four-year degree. 'College is a great option for some, but it's not the only path to a family-sustaining career, nor is it necessarily the best,' said International President Lonnie R. Stephenson. 'For a lot of people, a union apprenticeship is the smarter, more fulfilling way to go — and it doesn't come with thousands of dollars in student loans...'"

Biden Administration Announces Nearly $725 Million to Create Good-Paying Union Jobs, Catalyze Economic Revitalization in Coal Communities

"The Department of the Interior today announced nearly $725 million in Fiscal Year 22 funding is available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation to create good-paying union jobs and catalyze economic opportunity by reclaiming abandoned mine lands (AML) as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law allocates a total of $11.3 billion in AML funding over 15 years, which will help communities eliminate dangerous environmental conditions and pollution caused by past coal mining. This historic funding allocation is expected to address the vast majority of inventoried abandoned mine lands in this country..."

AFL-CIO president: Congressional staffers 'have a home in America's unions'

"To the brave congressional staffers sharing their stories and speaking out for change, we stand with you. The labor movement has been watching recent developments on the Hill very closely. You are demanding better pay and working conditions and you have a home in America's unions," Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, said in a video..."

Ending classes early, axing graduations: Arizona schools face cuts amid battle in Legislature

"Larger class sizes, layoffs, an early end to the school year, no graduation ceremonies. These are some of the possible solutions Arizona school boards are considering in preparation for a possible 16% budget cut. While school advocates are anxious, lawmakers  — who could eliminate the issue with one vote — have until March 1 to decide whether to lift the spending cap for schools, but have shown little urgency on the matter..."

Nearly 90% of Arizona voters use early ballots. Republicans would eliminate that to combat imagined fraud.

"Driven by false claims that the 2020 election was plagued by fraud that changed the outcome in statewide races — but not their own victories — Republican legislators on Monday gave initial approval to a host of proposals that critics say will make it harder for Arizonans to vote. The changes include doing away with early mail-in ballots for virtually every Arizona voter, barring in-person early voting, requiring voters to present identification to drop off early ballots on Election Day and more...

AG Brnovich leads 5-state lawsuit against $15 minimum wage for federal contractors

"Arizona and four other states are suing the Biden administration over its new $15 minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for federal contractors. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican running for U.S. Senate this year, filed the challenge Tuesday in U.S. District Court, District of Arizona... Brnovich has involved Arizona in a string of cases opposing Biden’s policies, including multiple suits related to vaccine mandates..."

Why an Arizona County Turned Down $1.9 Million in Covid Relief

"The $1.9 million in pandemic aid would have gone a long way in Cochise County, a rural borderland where a winter of infections swamped hospitals. There was money for tracking cases. Testing in remote ranching towns. Funds fortifying the Arizona county’s strained health department.

But the county’s Republican-controlled board of supervisors stunned many residents and health care workers by voting last month to reject the federal money, becoming one of the rare places in America to turn down Covid-19 assistance from Washington. 'We’re done,' said Peggy Judd, one of two Republican supervisors who voted against accepting the money....'"

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