John,

With homelessness literally at endemic proportions across the country, the efforts of those working to stem the tide are facing monumental resistance from government to Wall Street.  According to a 2021 report on the State of Homelessness in Arizona, released by the Department of Economic Security, the number of homeless Arizonans was nearly 11,000.  That number is estimated to have increased by 30% and it seems even the initial count could be much higher.  “While the factors contributing to homelessness have always been varied and complex, the growing shortage of affordable housing has significantly impacted low-income individuals and families with incomes.”

Even though there are people and organizations around the country including locally with the Tucson Tenants Union, that are working hard every day to help with everything from advocating for families facing evictions, for rent control, access to information and resources, for medical or mental healthcare, for legal or financial support, it just doesn’t seem to have been enough, yet. That’s why we see, now, this real sense of urgency coming from these coalitions, to force the hand of local governments to work on comprehensive measures to provide sustainable solutions for the unhoused and under housed.  

Director and Co-Founder of the non-profit People’s Defense Initiative, Zaira Emiliana Livier, explains how the reporting of homelessness and evictions are skewed and underreported, “The families living with relatives, friends or in their cars are not counted and many evictions are not counted as well, especially when people and families who are intimidated or otherwise don’t feel safe, or don’t have the resources to advocate for themselves, self-evict and that is not included in the reporting of evictions!”     

But, there are a growing number of examples where local governments are moving in the right direction, residents of the city of Pasadena, CA will be voting in November on whether to enact rent control and other tenant protections after a broad coalition of Pasadena tenants, unions and housing activists collected enough signatures to place the issue on the ballot, the measure is called the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter.  If the measure is passed Pasadena will join 12 other cities in California which currently have rent control.  In 2019 Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law the nation’s first statewide rent control act, Senate Bill 608 turning over the state’s previous ban on rent control of any kind.

The issue of affordable housing is a major component contributing to the growing number of the working homeless.  That segment of the homeless population continues to grow and that means even workers belonging to unions have found themselves in this terrible situation and they’re working every day!  So how does Labor help take care of our own?

There are Union programs, organizations like Labor Community Services Agencies around the country, who run transitional and temporary housing programs.  The AFL-CIO has HIT, the Housing Investment Trust who currently have projects built or being built to provide affordable housing for Union Members, Retirees, Teachers and others.  Through the Boilermakers and the Building Trade Unions, the Bank of Labor is actively investing in Unions and their members, with projects to provide affordable housing for working families.  Our own Labor Community Services Agency, which runs a robust temporary housing program, is currently considering building some mini-homes for Veterans on a property near the local V.A. in Phoenix. 

We understand that homelessness, the unhoused and the underhoused is a growing and may seem insurmountable, but we can help.  We have to.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

2022 AFL-CIO Member Survey

The National AFL-CIO wants to know what issues are important to you-- good jobs, a strong economy, secure rights, and more.

Please let us know by taking our brief survey, and share it with your friends, family, and coworkers.

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!

Please email our Political Director, Joe Murphy, to reserve your Proud Union Home sign at [email protected].

Experts: “Signals intelligence” from wiretaps found at Mar-a-Lago make Trump’s scandal even worse

“Former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal tweeted, "Signals intelligence (like electronic intercepts) are some of the most sensitive and secretive material in the US."

"There are a host of special markings and protections on every such document," Katyal noted.

The fact signals intelligence was reportedly recovered at Mar-a-Lago shocked national security professionals.

Retired USAF Gen. Michael Hayden, who served as director of the NSA and CIA, simply tweeted, "Jesus Christ.""

Starbucks workers hold strikes in at least 17 states amid union drive

“Starbucks employees have alleged over 75 workers have been fired in retaliation for union organizing this year, and hundreds of allegations of misconduct by Starbucks related to the union campaign are currently under review at the National Labor Relations Board, including claims of shutting down stores to bust unions, firing workers and intimidating and threatening workers from unionizing."

U.S. Steelworkers union welcomes Vice President Harris, jobs programs

“U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris received frequent applause during an address at the United Steelworkers convention on Wednesday, promoting the administration's infrastructure investment and promising support for labor unions. The 3,500 union members and retirees at this year's convention were less politically divided, unlike in the past, where supporters of then-President Donald Trump were visible, as well as those who supported Democrats."

AFL-CIO Applauds Senate Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act

“While this bill represents an incredible step forward, we know the fight for climate and economic justice is not over. The AFL-CIO’s 12.5 million members are united in support for this legislation, and we urge Congress to move quickly to get this passed and signed into law.”

Maricopa County asks court to sanction Lake, Finchem over ‘demonstrably false’ election suit

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is asking a court to sanction Kari Lake, Mark Finchem and their lawyers for filing an election lawsuit they say is frivolous.

The motion, filed July 18 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, says an April 22 suit that asks a federal judge to bar the use of tabulation equipment in the 2022 elections is “demonstrably false.”

How historic climate funding from the Inflation Reduction Act will impact Arizonans

"The Inflation Reduction Act includes the largest climate action investment in U.S. history: $369 billion. Here in Arizona, scientists say we are continuing to see climate change at the forefront with an increase in heat waves and 20-year mega drought.”

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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]