John,

Arizona Labor 2022 is not just about this November. And like every election it is important, but this cycle is more about building for the future, building power for working families. It’s about organizing, and coalition building, it’s about getting back to the basics. Having actual conversations with each other, listening, and somehow working together to make things better.  

On a recent flight from Chicago to Phoenix, I sat next to a young couple and before long we were having a friendly conversation. They were continuing to Colorado Springs for a Christian Conference. The husband asked me what I did and vice versa. As I explained what I did, he told me what he does for work and he let me know that he was a Libertarian. We had a great conversation and his wife apologized for him a couple of times. We agreed on some things and disagreed on others, but what he said as we were getting off the plane and shook hands had the biggest impression on me. With a big smile on his face, he said, “More people should have conversations like this on airplanes!”  

The National AFL-CIO has released a series of surveys for union members across the country, to hear back directly from workers on what the most important issues for them and their families are. The surveys do not ask you for your political registration, religious beliefs, or ethnic background. It’s a straightforward list that allows you to identify the issues most important to you. We encourage you to make comments, it’s important to hear from you!

Some important events and great opportunities are coming up. Our Labor Day Breakfast on Friday, September 2nd will be held at the UA Pipefitters and Plumbers Local 469 newly remodeled Union Hall, where we will hear from a few of our endorsed candidates and our Keynote Speaker, Karla Schumann, Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 104, who at the end of her remarks will introduce some of the new young Organizers in labor.

On Sunday, September 4th, we will be participating in the Labor in the Pulpit speaking with different Faith partners around Phoenix and Tucson to share the good work that organized Labor does to uplift all workers.   

In Tucson, the Pima Area Labor Federation will be holding the first Labor Day Picnic in three years, due to Covid-19. We are so excited to be able to celebrate Labor Day with a traditional picnic, this year at Kennedy Park on Monday, September 5th. This is a great event bringing Labor and Community together to celebrate Labor history and all of our working families!  

With the primaries behind us, we are ramping up the Labor 2022 Campaign, with Campaign Manager Kieran Elia. This is an all-hands-on-deck campaign with the Painters Local 86/District Council 36, again, providing their union hall and phone banking equipment, and also launching canvasses from the painter’s hall. Come and join the team of volunteers and release staff from all around the country, from International Unions, State Federations, and Central Labor Councils. Along with everyone else, your time can make a difference for working families everywhere! 

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 sharing it with your friends, family, and coworkers.

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.

PALF 24th Annual Labor Day Picnic 

After a three-year hiatus, we would like to invite you to join in on the solidarity and fun with the Pima Area Labor Federation for some free food, live music, and fun as we come together in celebration of working people across Southern Arizona. Hear the latest from our local unions, about worker victories, and the fights ahead. Learn about union apprenticeship programs, and who our local unions represent across sectors and industries.

• When: September 5th, 2022 from 10:00am to 2:00pm
• Where: Kennedy Park Fiesta Area- Tucson, AZ

Sign up to Volunteer for Labor 2022 Launch Phone Bank & Canvass 

We would personally like to invite you to our Labor 2022 Launch as we continue our work towards electing labor-friendly candidates. Progressive leaders will speak and motivate our activist before phone banking and canvassing takes place. We will provide lunch and look forward to your attendance.

• When: September 10th, 2022 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
• Where: Painters Union Hall - 210 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ

AZ AFL-CIO National Association of Letter Carriers Columbus Day of Action 

Join our NALC Sisters & Brothers for a day of action as they phone bank and drop campaign literature in support of Senator Mark Kelly, Congressional Candidate Jevin Hodges AZ/C1, Congressman Tom O'Halleran AZ/CD2, Congressman Greg Stanton AZ/CD4, and AZ Gubernatorial Candidate Katie Hobbs.

• When: Monday, October 10th, 2022
• Where: NALC Branch # 576 Union Hall - 3720 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ

National Immigrant Worker Organizing Training & Strategy Session

The AFL-CIO invites unions and labor councils to send representatives for a powerful, in-person training and strategy session focused on immigrant worker organizing that will equip participants with new resources and information to support your union's campaigns.

• When: September 29-30th, 2022
• Where: Washington DC

"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].

California Needs More Housing. Unions Might Stand in the Way.

"Should we turn strip malls and office parks into homes, even if it means hiring nonunion workers?"

Will Young People Vote? Here's How to Make Sure

“Since the 2020 election, more than 8 million people in the United States have turned 18, becoming eligible to join the military, buy a lottery ticket, file a lawsuit- and, if they are citizens, cast a vote. But, as of June, youth voter registration rates have lagged those from the last midterm cycle four years ago in about half the states. It does not have to be this way."

The Union Vote: In the States Roundup 

"Its time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the link to follow the state federations of Twitter. "

Education Secretary Cardona Explains Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

"NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona about the Biden administration's plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt for some borrowers."

Here's Where Federal Employee Unions Can Look to Expand Their Ranks

“According to new data from the Office of Personnel Management, nearly 300,000 federal employees are eligible to form unions but haven't.”

Government's Top Labor Lawyer: Workers Need to Know We'll Protect Them

“When former Amazon worker Chris Small recounted his experience leading the first successful union campaign at the online retailer earlier this year, the government's top labor lawyer was listening — and dismayed by what she heard.  "I was frustrated to hear that one of the greatest obstacles he faced was convincing his scared co-workers" that they would not lose their jobs if they joined the effort to unionize workers at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island, New York, Jennifer Abruzzo, general counsel at the National Labor Relations Board, told CBS MoneyWatch. "We need to do a better job of educating workers that they cannot be retaliated against by their employers for engaging in union activities.”

Jewish Student's Civil Rights Violated By Arizona School District, Feds say

“The US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has ruled that Kyrene School District in Arizona violated the civil rights of a Jewish student who was harassed by anti-Semitic bullies for months.”

Arizona Supreme Court Rejects Challenges to 2 Initiatives

“The Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected challenges to two voter initiatives filed for November’s ballot, one already certified for the ballot and a second that appears likely to make it when a final signature verification is complete. A challenge to a third measure measure expanding voting access and rolling back restrictions enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature was mainly rejected by the Supreme Court. But several challenges to lower court rulings on signatures split for each side and the court sent it to back to a trial court. It may not have enough qualifying signatures.”

Pima Judge Looks at Lifting 50-year-old Order Protecting Arizona Abortion Rights

“A judge in Tucson will decide whether to lift a 1973 injunction that protects abortion rights in Arizona, after Attorney General Mark Brnovich moved to resurrect a ban from the state's territorial days. If the order is lifted, the state could begin enforcing an 1864 law making abortion illegal and allowing prosecutors to pursue abortion providers. While Brnovich, a Republican who just lost in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, wants the state to be able to enforce the near-total ban on abortions in Arizona, reproductive health organizations have moved to have a Superior Court judge in Pima County declare that because the state has regulated the practice for 50 years, the law recognizes the right to an abortion.”

Labor Day Weekend: A Tribute To Workers

Come join this free, family-friendly concert series managed by AFM Local 586 and co-sponsored by MPTF and Phoenix Center for the Arts. Notice there will be performances at two locations; Saturday, September 3rd- September 5th.

Thank you for reading the Arizona Labor Dispatch! Can you help us grow our readership by sharing our sign-up form?

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 Director Fred Yamashita at [email protected]