john,

As we’ve discussed in a previous dispatch, federal OSHA had announced their intention to take over Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) given the “decade-long pattern of failures”. The Biden Administration has followed through on this promise.

Therefore, Federal OSHA has proposed to create joint jurisdiction with the Arizona OSHA plan—performing oversight of private sector workplaces while Arizona continues to oversee public sector workplaces. This would allow federal OSHA to have influence over Arizona’s plans to create a safe work environment while maintaining the same protections for all public and private workers. 

Read more regarding the facts of OSHA and ADOSH and the current plan for the future of Arizona labor below:

We will continue to fight to ensure ALL people are safe at work and will continue to provide updates on the situation. 

If you would want to make your voice heard, feel free to comment on the proposed plan:

We will continue to fight to ensure ALL people are safe at work and will continue to provide updates on the situation.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

The Workers First Agenda

Under President Biden, we've added millions of jobs and experienced the fastest growing economy in decades. But we still have a long way to go. Here are the top five bold solutions for the problems facing working people.

Support the Trade Union Women’s Memorial

In its effort to highlight and celebrate the role that women played in fighting for collective bargaining and better pay as well as improved working conditions, the ALSC is creating THE NATIONAL TRADE UNION WOMEN'S MEMORIAL on the site of the Kate Mullany House at 350 Eighth Street in Troy, New York. Mullany formed our nation's first bona fide all female union - the Troy Collar Laundry Union - in 1864. She was the first woman to serve as an officer of a national union. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls in 2000 and Labor's International Hall of Fame in 2016. The Mullany House was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior in 1998 and a National Historic Site (a unit within the National Park System) in 2004. It is owned and being historically restored by the American Labor Studies Center. As a result, the Memorial will be part of the National Parks System and enjoy the benefits and prestige that brings including the use of the National Park System logo. It will annually induct one or more trade union women pioneers. We invite you to support the establishment of the Memorial

Celebrate Pride this month at events across the state!

Join in at Bisbee Pride on June 17th-19th, Pride in the Pines- Flagstaff on June 18th, and Navajo Nation Pride June 20th-26th.

Flight Attendants Fighting Back

“United employed some twenty-five thousand flight attendants at the time, but its base in Boston was relatively small—only about three hundred flight attendants. It was also a union shop: United flight attendants are members of the Association of Flight Attendants.”

Teacher recruiting, retention challenges loom over Southern Arizona schools

“School districts across Southern Arizona face similar cost and job challenges, much like in other communities across the country. Some educators, like Barbara Matteson, have argued one of the best solutions is to better fund public schools, and in particular, those in Arizona. Matteson took her decades of experience in the classroom and applied the same passion when working to lead other retired educators as part of a national labor advocacy group.”

New unions in Portland make racial justice a top priority

“A new generation of labor unions in Portland is tackling racism and discrimination in the workplace through collective bargaining campaigns that extend beyond strictly economic issues. Young, progressive workers say they want enforceable contracts that reflect their employers’ pledges of diversity, racial justice and equity.”

How Amazon and Starbucks Workers Are Upending the Organizing Rules

“‘Workers are reaching out to our union in unprecedented numbers,’ says Alan Hanson, organizing director for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 in the Washington, D.C., area. ​’And they’re coming to us in a way I’ve never seen. The checklist that staff organizers have — get a list, identify leaders, make sure the organizing committee is diverse and represents all departments and classifications — these workers are coming to us and they have already done all of that. I haven’t had four successful worker-generated organizing campaigns in my entire career and we just had four in four months.’”

Unions protest lack of labor agreement on Purple Line construction

“The protesters, organized by the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), said the new construction team led by Spanish firms Dragados and OHL used “misleading tactics” to win the contract without including a promised Project Labor Agreement (PLA). Such a collective bargaining agreement typically commits to using union labor and paying agreed-upon wages and benefits, while also prohibiting strikes, lockouts and other work stoppages.”

Biden signs policing order on anniversary of Floyd’s death

“President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday to improve accountability in policing —a meaningful but limited action on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death that reflected the challenges in addressing racism, excessive use of force and public safety when Congress is deadlocked on stronger measures. The event shaped by one tragedy occurred a day after a second one, a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school that killed 19 children and two teachers. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris gave remarks that tried to comfort those affected by the shooting as well those who have suffered from police brutality, promising them that change could come eventually despite the partisan divides on Capitol Hill. ‘I know progress can be slow and frustrating,’ Biden said. ‘Today we’re acting. We’re showing that speaking out matters. Being engaged matters. That the work of our time, healing the soul of this nation, is ongoing and unfinished and requires all of us never to give up.’”

As Arizona Republicans revive lawsuit to stop early voting, Brnovich won't defend the state

“Early voting's popularity has grown in the 30 years since it started in Arizona. Under the system, voters can get a ballot in the mail and return it by mail or drop it off at a polling place, an early-voting center or a ballot drop box. In 2020, nearly 90% of the ballots cast in Arizona were via early ballot. In his March response to the filing with the state Supreme Court, Brnovich's office noted that the suit ‘raises important questions about the constitutionality of Arizona's early-voting system,’ but objected to the filing on procedural grounds. The dismissal leaves 16 other defendants to argue the case: the 15 county recorders and the office of Secretary of State Katie Hobbs. Kolodin said at least one county recorder has indicated a hands-off approach to the defense, but has not sought to be dismissal from the litigation.”

Starbucks Workers United Wins in US’s Most Anti-Union City

“The Starbucks Workers United union campaign continues to produce astounding election wins week after week. As of this writing, more than 260 stores have petitioned for National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) elections: The union has won more than 70 NLRB elections, most by overwhelming margins, and has lost only nine elections. The union has won elections throughout the country, including in places where union victories are rare, including in Mesa, Arizona; Boone, North Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Augusta, Georgia; and Overland Park, Kansas.”

Outdoor Workers Have Little Protection In A Warming World

“American heat records were set from Texas to Massachusetts over the weekend, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting a hotter-than-usual June, July, and August. While many of us can seek refuge from the heat by turning on the AC or going to the local community pool, outdoor workers—like farm laborers, garbage collectors, construction workers, and air conditioner mechanics—are likely to bear the brunt. These essential workers have some of the least protections when it comes to workplace heat.”

Tucson program to help essential workers buy homes

“The city of Tucson is collaborating with Tucson Industrial Development Authority to dole out $625,000 to help cover closing costs on homes for an estimated 250 essential workers. The new program, called the Essential Workers Housing Fund, will launch June 1 and provide essential workers up to 1% of the first mortgage loan amount or up to $2,500 of a down payment on a home. Tucson is putting $500,000 of its American Rescue Plan dollars toward the initiative, a move Mayor Regina Romero called a 'transformative investment' in the community.”

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