John,

Much has been written and much has been said-- and rightfully so-- about our former AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka since his untimely passing on August 5, 2021.  As a reminder, Rich, as he liked to be called, was truly a giant in organized labor.

A third-generation coal miner who started working in the mines at age 19, he pursued his education and became a staff attorney for the United Mine Workers of America in 1974 to 1979.  He was elected as President of the UMWA in 1982.  While President of the UMWA Trumka led a successful nine-month strike against the Pittson Coal Company in 1989, which became a symbol of resistance against employer cutbacks and retrenchment for the entire labor movement.  With the major issue in the dispute being Pittson’s refusal to pay into the industry-wide health and retirement fund created in 1950.  Trumka encouraged nonviolent civil disobedience to confront the company.

Trumka was elected the youngest Secretary of Treasurer of the AFL-CIO in 1995 under President John Sweeney who he served as second in command until 2009 when Trumka became President of the AFL-CIO by acclamation at the 26^th Constitutional Convention in Pittsburgh.

Excited about the potential of Arizona politics, President Trumka accepted an invitation to be the Keynote Speaker at the 2018 Labor Day Breakfast for the AZ AFL-CIO.  He came and delivered a rousing speech and committed to Arizona Labor the full support of the National AFL-CIO to help turn Arizona Blue!

After his passing, President Trumka was succeeded by Secretary Treasurer Elizabeth Shuler, who was recently re-elected President at the 29^th Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where a special tribute was held celebrating the life of Richard L. Trumka.

This past week, Richard Trumka’s work was nationally recognized by President Joe Biden when he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  Richard ‘Rich’ Trumka’s fight for worker’s rights will forever be honored in our nation’s history.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Arizona AFL-CIO Labor Day Breakfast

After a two year hiatus it is my honor to invite you to join the Arizona AFL-CIO as we celebrate Labor Day with a breakfast on Friday, September 2nd, 2022. Yet again we find Arizona the center of attention of national politics; as always, with your support, we will deliver for Arizona’s working people.

For more information, please email [email protected]. Sponsorships are available for your local to take part; checks can be made out to the Arizona AFL-CIO, or we can take payments via paypal at the link below.

Labor in the Pulpit 2022

Last year, members of the Arizona labor community took part in Labor in the Pulpit over Labor Day weekend, where we spoke with faith communities about our shared values. This year, we’re hoping to reach more people than ever, from even more traditions, and we proudly invite you to take part by signing up below.

Sign up to volunteer for Labor 2022

The Labor 2022 program is where union members contact other union members about the importance of voting for Arizona's Labor's endorsed candidates. We know that when we have these important conversations with voters, we can win elections. By talking to union households about our shared values, we can elect champions for Arizona's workers and in turn, make real progress for working people. Sign up today to join our Labor 2022 program.

"Proud Union Home" Signs

Don't leave all your union pride at work and make sure to bring some home! The Arizona AFL-CIO will soon make available yard signs that confidently state "Proud Union Home" in order to make sure you state an advocate for unions even after work. We appreciate all your support and home you bring your union pride home!

Positions Open at the Arizona AFL-CIO

Communications Director: manage the internal and external communications from the state federation, MALF, PALF, and constituency organizations with the Arizona AFL-CIO. More information here.

Local Organizing Specialist: work with the state federation on organizing members, stewards, and leadership throughout the state. More information here.

Top Biden labour lawyer vows to shift power back to workers 

“With unions shaking up some of America’s biggest companies — including Amazon, Starbucks and Apple — workers have found an ally in Joe Biden’s top labour relations official.  Jennifer Abruzzo, who took over as the government’s chief prosecutor of labour law violations a year ago, is working to limit the ways some of the country’s largest employers can subvert employee unions. So far during her tenure as general counsel the National Labor Relations Board is pursuing more cases, and different kinds of actions, than it has in the past.”

What a Korean restaurant worker union win says about future of labor movements 

“Korean and Latino workers at a Korean restaurant in Los Angeles ratified their first union contract, marking a breakthrough for workers, advocates say.  The win last month makes Genwa, an upscale Korean barbecue chain that’s been cited for multiple labor law violations, the first privately owned Korean restaurant to be unionized nationwide.”

70,000 Self-Employed Truckers in California Face Shutdown Under New State Law
 

“Tens of thousands of independent California truck owner-operators could be out of business soon under a new statewide worker classification law designating them as employees. On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a review on whether California Assembly Bill 5 (AB-5) violates the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 as it applies to self-employed truck drivers.”

Union: Tentative agreement between Hilton, workers reached 

“A tentative agreement has been reached between Hilton and the union representing hundreds of hotel workers, Unite Here Local 5, union leaders said.  The new two-year agreement reportedly includes improved wages, benefits and reinstatement of daily room cleaning and other services, according to the union.  Roughly 1,800 hotel workers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village would benefit from the . The union says the workers will vote to ratify the deal over the next week.”

An Alamo Drafthouse worker was fired after workers protested for more pay. Union calls it retaliation.

“Simon Ingrand was called into his manager's office Wednesday. The Alamo Drafthouse server was a member of the workers union at the South Lamar location and had helped organize a strike the day before.  He was fired.  ‘Every organizing attempt comes with some amount of risk,’ he said. ‘I was hoping that they wouldn't resort to using illegal tactics. I believe my termination to be wrongful termination.’”

Trash piling on streets, sanitation workers’ union calls city council for help   

“The president of AFSCME, a union that represents sanitation workers, said the lack of resources and workers are reasons why trash is piling up along the city.  ‘Administration has failed to sit down at the table with AFSCME and talk about these hard conversations about these constituents getting service every day,’ said Adrian Rogers AFSCME President.  Rogers said the bulk week trash pickups that happen once every two weeks are destroying communities in underserved neighborhoods.”

Baristas at UA-area Starbucks first in Tucson to vote for union 

“Starbucks next to the University of Arizona campus is poised to become the first unionized location of the coffee chain in Tucson and the fifth in Arizona.  Baristas at the Starbucks in Main Gate Square, 814 E. University Blvd., voted 11-3 in favor of union representation on Wednesday.  If the vote is certified by the National Labor Relations Board, the workers will join Starbucks Workers United, which is supported by Service Employees International Union affiliate Workers United.”

First Amendment advocates respond to a new Arizona law limiting recording of police 

“First Amendment advocates are considering their options in response to an Arizona law signed last week making it a crime to record video police officers from closer than 8 feet away.  The law, which was signed on Wednesday by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, states that people can be charged with a misdemeanor if they record police from less than 8 feet away after getting a verbal warning, as they are conducting law enforcement activity like arrests, questioning suspicious individuals, and handling those who are emotionally disturbed.”

Unionization drive expands among Capital Region Starbucks shops 

“The organization drive mounted by Starbucks baristas passed a minor milestone last week, as the 300th petition was submitted for a union vote at an individual shop.  That’s still just a tiny portion of the roughly 17,000 locations across the United States. But more petitions are being filed with the National Labor Relations Board each day, and most of the resulting votes have been in favor of unionizing.”

Educators no longer need a college degree to begin teaching in Arizona public schools   

“The education requirement for teachers in Arizona has changed. Under legislation Gov. Doug Ducey signed earlier this week, a person only needs to be enrolled to get their college degree to begin teaching in public schools. It’s a big change, and it’s been met with mixed reactions.  Jens Larson said there was a teacher shortage back when he joined the profession in 2000. ‘I was hired as an emergency certified teacher. I had a degree but I didn’t have the teacher credentials that were needed,’ Larson said.”

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