John,

Workers can no longer wait.  In spite of having an extremely worker friendly administration in the White House we are no closer to passing the PRO Act than we were to passing EFCA in 2009.  It’s not for lack of trying, nor for lack of commitment.  No, we have worked hard, we have worked together to help elect worker friendly candidates, and it still has not been enough.  That’s why workers can no longer wait for permission; as the saying goes, strike while the iron’s hot! 

With the temperature for organizing higher now than since the ‘60’s, we must take advantage of this opportunity!  And it is happening, whether it’s the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association becoming the 57^th Affiliate of the AFL-CIO or the Amazon Labor Union, a truly holistic organizing campaign taking on one of the largest corporations in the world, or established International Unions like the Communications Workers of America entering into a historic Labor Neutrality Agreement with tech giant Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard gaming division.

As many of us were told history repeats itself.  I’m not so sure that this is true for labor-- I think we are creating a new history for organized labor and workers worldwide.  Don’t sit on the sidelines, come join us, be a part of the new Labor 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.

Is there a new labor movement afoot in the US? Seth Harris, former top advisor to Biden, weighs in

“The election victory at Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse has coincided with organizing efforts at numerous Starbucks stores, which are focused largely on health and safety concerns born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. News@Northeastern spoke with incoming Northeastern Distinguished Professor Seth Harris about developments in the labor movement. He recently served as President Joe Biden’s top labor advisor, and as acting labor secretary under former President Barack Obama.”

Are U.S. Labor Unions Making a Comeback? 

“Organized labor in the U.S. is having an ‘exciting and interesting moment." How much of a factor has the pandemic played in its resurgence? What factors should employees consider when voting to unionize? And how are companies reacting to labor organization efforts? Dr. Thomas A. Kochan, Post-Tenure George Maverick Bunker Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a faculty member in the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research, and Dr. Harry C. Katz, Jack Sheinkman Professor of Collective Bargaining and Director of the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at Cornell University, join the podcast to offer their expert insights.”

Biden names board to help end freight railroad and union contract disputes 

“U.S. President Joe Biden faces a deadline next week to intervene in nationwide U.S. railroad labor talks covering 115,000 workers, or open the door to a potential strike or lockout that could threaten an already fragile economy and choke supplies of food and fuel.  The stakes are high for Biden, who wants to tackle inflation-stoking supply-chain woes and is already working to reach a deal in the critical labor talks at West Coast seaports.”

The Workers of the World Are Uniting Again

 “For decades, workers made do with a smaller share of the spoils of capitalism, and the labor unions who represented them shed members and influence. Now employees are finding their collective voice again, and not before time. Tight job markets and the soaring cost of living are fueling demands for higher pay and better working conditions on both sides of the Atlantic. Petitions to elect a union and enquiries about joining one are increasing, albeit from historically low levels.”

Lyndhurst's Medieval Times workers vote to form chain's first union

“Workers at the Middle Ages reenactment venue Medieval Times voted Friday to form a union, marking one of the latest leisure and hospitality businesses to organize amid a labor push coming out of the two-year coronavirus pandemic. The royal performers at the Lyndhurst venue voted 24-11 to form a venue — a first for the dinner theater chain to secure higher wages and safer working conditions, according to a Friday announcement.” 

CEOs made 324 times more than average worker in 2021. Group calls it ‘greedflation’

“Executive wages in the U.S. continue to grow to record highs while their workers struggle to keep up with rising prices, new data shows. The average S&P 500 CEO made 324 times the median pay for their workers in 2021, according to the AFL-CIO’s annual Executive Paywatch report. That is a 23% jump from 2020’s 299-to-1 CEO-to-worker pay ratio.”

Curaleaf owner seeks do-over of vote on whether to unionize 

“New documents explain why the owner of a local marijuana dispensary wants federal officials to redo a union vote by its workers.  There are Curaleaf cannabis dispensaries throughout metro Phoenix. Workers at one store recently voted to form a union.  But the dispensary owner filed objections with the National Labor Relations Board.”

Why This Court Case Is So Meaningful To The Starbucks Union Effort

“On May 19, 2022, the NLRB Buffalo Regional Director issued a consolidated complaint against Starbucks, alleging more than 200 instances of unfair labor practices and anti-union activity by the coffee chain giant, including surveillance and interrogation, making threats, selective enforcement of work rules, and retaliation. The complaint was a culmination of months of investigation by the Buffalo region NLRB of allegations by Starbucks workers. Remedies sought include reinstatement of terminated employees, reimbursement for consequential harm and damages to affected employees, restoring the operations of a closed shop, and for Starbucks to bargain in good faith with the union, among others.”

Dodger Stadium concession workers authorize strike ahead of All-Star Game 

“Concession workers at Dodger Stadium voted Sunday to authorize a strike that could begin just before Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game festivities. Ninety-nine percent of food and beverage workers at the stadium approved the authorization according to labor union Unite Here Local 11, which ‘represents over 32,000 workers employed in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports arenas, and convention centers throughout Southern California and Arizona.’”

Could Pinal County become the Detroit of electric vehicles?  

“With sky-high fuel prices draining the pocketbooks of commuters across the state and nation, the prospect of electric vehicles (EVs) seem even more attractive than they did in the halcyon days when a gallon of gas was under $3 — and Pinal County is positioning itself to become the Detroit of electric vehicles.  Many EV options, however, defy the label “affordable” and the limited availability of one of the biggest brands in the market segment — Tesla — often has consumers at the bottom of a long waiting list. 

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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  Executive DirectorFred Yamashita at [email protected]