john,

Considering the international news surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine this week, I know this has been a difficult time for many of us as we watch a war unfold. As such, I thought it important to uplift the statement from National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on the invasion, which we have included in this weeks' National News section.

On a brighter note, I am excited about what is to come in the coming weeks for Arizona's labor movement. On March 8th, the Arizona AFL-CIO is co-sponsoring an event with the Alliance of Retired Americans and the Arizona Education Association-Retired featuring an interview with legendary civil rights leader and proud trade unionist, Dolores Huerta, in celebration of International Women's Day.

Dolores' advocacy for working people is unmatched. As the co-founder and former Vice President of the United Farm Workers, she became one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century, fighting for better working conditions for agricultural workers across the country. Her activism continues today through the Dolores Huerta Foundation, which inspires and organizes communities to build volunteer organizations empowered to pursue social justice.

It is truly an honor for our organization to take part in this exciting event. I hope you'll register below to join us.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Women in Organized Labor feat. Dolores Huerta

On March 8th at 6 PM MST, join the Alliance for Retired Americans, the Arizona AFL-CIO, and the Arizona Education Association-Retired for an International Women's Day celebration featuring the legendary Dolores Huerta.

The work of Ms. Huerta is the focus of a traveling exhibition at the Arizona Capitol Museum on display through March 11. This special virtual event will feature a pre-recorded interview of Dolores Huerta by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, followed by remarks from Arizona AFL-CIO Executive Director Fred Yamashita, a virtual tour of the exhibition from María del Carmen Cossu, project director for Latino Initiatives for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, and a Q & A. Register below to join us on Zoom.

2nd Annual MALF Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser
 
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Maricopa Area Labor Federation Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser is back!

Join MALF on March 19th from 10am to 2pm for cornhole, food, live music, and raffle prizes. All 2022 sponsors will receive a custom cornhole board, which will come painted with a logo of their choosing. For tournament participation, sponsorship information, and more, click the button below.

Cambodia: Release jailed union leaders and drop all charges unconditionally
 
Striking casino workers at UNITE HERE's sister union in Cambodia have courageously stood their ground as the Cambodian government has attempted to break their strike for more than 60 days. Eleven union leaders are now behind bars with no access to legal representation, facing criminal charges that carry sentences of up to five years in prison. You can help! Take action below by telling Cambodia to release jailed union leaders and drop all charges unconditionally.

Statement from National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

"The AFL-CIO joins with unions from around the world in standing in solidarity with our union partners in Ukraine. We demand an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and a commitment to political and diplomatic solutions to the crisis that will cause needless suffering and hardship for people throughout the country."

Jon Donaire bakery strike is over: Workers vote yes on a contract

“The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Mills (BCTGM) Local 37 in Santa Fe Springs has been settled. Management offered a tentative agreement on Tuesday after a four-month strike. The Union reviewed the proposals in the new contract and recommended that the membership ratify it. Wednesday afternoon the vote was tallied, and the contract is approved..."

AFL-CIO Calls for Speedy Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court

"We applaud the historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Jackson has had a distinguished legal career, and she is eminently qualified for this critical lifetime position. Working people need a champion on the bench who will defend and protect our civil rights, including our right to organize in the workplace. Judge Jackson has a strong legal track record of fighting on behalf of working people, including during her tenure as an assistant federal public defender in Washington, D.C., and we are confident that she will bring that leadership to the highest court in the land. Representation matters and that is especially true in our nation’s legal system, which can disproportionately impact or lift up Black and Brown communities..."

Why is it so hard to unionize? Because the rules favor employers

"...But while union efforts begin anew and some successes are celebrated, they are also hard-won. Pushes to unionize often fail, because employers can deploy a range of extreme union busting tactics, and even break the law, with little repercussions. Even as working conditions get worse and the nation faces unprecedented wage instability, the laws in place give employers the upper hand...."

Mesa Starbucks to vote on unionizing for 2nd time

"Employees at a Starbucks in suburban Phoenix are expected to move forward Friday with a vote on whether to unionize, amplifying the growing interest in organizing among the coffee chain’s workers. Pro-union leaders say Starbucks workers deserve the right to collectively bargain on issues like benefits, seniority pay and pandemic safety protocols. Originally scheduled for last week in Mesa, Arizona, the election was postponed after Starbucks filed a request for a review with the Washington, D.C.-based National Labor Relations Board...."

COVID-19 cases in Arizona increased by 1,773 to a total of 1,975,252 on Friday, and 55 new deaths were reported

"Arizona continues to experience a spike in COVID-19 amid the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, though case numbers have been recently declining. Public health experts estimate omicron cases in Arizona peaked around mid-January. The total count of known deaths as of Friday was 27,931..."

Phoenix Baristas Claim Starbucks Spied on Workers, Trying to Bust the Union

"Arizona Starbucks baristas claim that the publicly-traded Seattle coffee giant is trying to undermine unionization efforts by spying on workers and other union-busting tactics. Starbucks managers responsible for a bustling drive-thru location in North Phoenix are accused of employee surveillance and attempting to dissuade them against unionizing, federal labor records obtained by Phoenix New Times shows...."

Ariz. House to vote on measure that eventually could override Tucson's minimum wage

"Republican lawmakers are moving to let voters throughout the state override the ability of local voters to set minimum wages for cities. Legislation awaiting House action this week would ask voters in November to declare that the regulation of employee benefits, including wages, 'is of statewide concern.' It also says that not just wages but also other compensation, paid leaves, meal breaks and rest periods are “not subject to further regulation by a city, town or other political subdivision of this state....'"

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