John,

As Arizona’s 55th Legislative session adjourned Sine Die on June 25th of this year, it was yet another year of attacks on public education in Arizona. I cannot for the life of me understand the de-emphasis of quality education for our children. And I’m really not trying to politicize the issue, but profits over people seem to be a recurring theme when it comes to Arizona’s working families.

Something you can do to support public education come this November is to vote NO on the following propositions; 128, 129, 132, and 309. Vote NO!

Another way to support public education in Arizona is to support the JTED programs. JTED stands for Joint Technological Education District, which is a school district that offers high school career and technical education programs to partner school districts. There are 14 such districts throughout the state of Arizona. Working with business and industry, students can receive high school and sometimes college credits, certification, and state licenses by successfully completing JTED programs. The curriculums vary from cosmetology to cybersecurity, computer science to construction technologies, and early childhood education to emergency medical technician and much more.

As labor, we support public education, but we also offer alternatives to a more traditional secondary education, college, or university. It’s called an Apprenticeship program, and there are currently 15 different apprenticeship programs being offered through the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council; the AZBTC. When you become an apprentice through one of the Building Trade Unions you are learning on the job and you are receiving the best possible training, and in most cases, being paid while you’re learning! Whether it’s an electrician, a pipefitter, an ironworker, or a laborer, upon becoming a Journeyperson in your field you are a professional with the training, knowledge, and experience that no one can ever take away from you.

Labor continues to support and fight for public education, for teachers, counselors, and support staff; many of whom are union members. We continue to partner with our teacher’s union and labor partners to fight for funding and protections for faculty and students alike. Many of our unions offer scholarships to members and their dependents, like, the Maricopa Area Labor Federation who just awarded their annual scholarship to a dependent of a member of the UA Pipefitters and Plumbers Local 469 for their essay on the state of unions today. If you are a member of a union, or a dependent of a union member, and are interested in applying for a scholarship, you should check with your union or the AFL-CIO to ask about their scholarship programs or programs for free education.

Through our commitment to education, training, and organizing, the Arizona AFL-CIO will continue working on Building a Movement to Meet the Moment!

Sign up now to learn more ways to support these education efforts through volunteering.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

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

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.

"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].

The USWNT Beat Nigeria, Then Celebrated Its Equal Pay Revolution

"The soccer was over by the time Alex Morgan was reunited with her 2-year-old daughter, Charlie, and the veteran of the U.S. women’s national soccer team transitioned seamlessly from star forward to mom. But as she bounced Charlie in her arms on the pitch at Audi Field, the meaning of the night was right there: The back of Charlie’s women’s national team jersey didn’t read “Morgan,” a tribute to her mom. It read “Equal Pay,” a tribute to a cause and a fight that lasted generations."

Can the America's Schoolchildren Recover From the Pandemic?

“'Students are struggling, and not just on standardized tests."

Major League Baseball Players Union Joins the AFL-CIO

“With only about 1,200 members, the MLBPA is fairly small by comparison to many of the other unions in the federation, But it is one of the nation's highest profile unions, given the widespread interest in professional sports, and it is aiming to grow. Recently, it announced plans to add about 5,400 minor league players, the majority of whom have signed cards requesting union representation.”

U.S. Labor Leader Wants to Organize 1 Million New Workers Over Next Decade

"'This is the moment because we have so much momentum," President Elizabeth Shuler told reporters at a breakfast organized by the Christian Science Monitor Thursday ahead of the U.S. Labor Day holiday, citing a number of organizing victories. "We have the most pro-union administration in history and we have working people standing up taking risks.'”

The Child Care Sector Will Continue To Struggle Hiring Staff Unless It Creates Good Jobs

“Child care sites across the country are facing immense challenges hiring and retaining staff amid a shortage of good jobs, leaving parents struggling to find care and placing increasing stress on the workers that remain.”

Labor Unions Withdraw Petition for Expansion of OSHA Covid Rule

“A group of labor unions is withdrawing a federal court petition that sought to expand OSHA’s Covid-19 emergency temporary standard for health-care workers to cover other industries where employees are vulnerable to Covid infections."

More Workers Petition to Unionize in Arizona, Across the Country

“A renewed push for workers' right on Labor day that has created uptick in union votes around the nation. During the first nine months of the federal 2022 fiscal year, it saw petition efforts to unionize rise nearly 60% nationwide and 50% in Arizona, according to the National Labor Relations Board.”

Marisol Garcia Wants to Transform Arizona's Teachers Union

“Building a labor movement in Phoenix is no easy task. Over the past year, though the labor movement in Phoenix has seen some major wins. To commemorate Labor Day, Phoenix New Times spoke with four union leaders and rank-and file workers- from teachers to dispensary workers - about the victories and struggles of the past year, and the labor movement in Arizona.”

Solar Jobs are Coming to Arizona, and Environmentalists, Economists and Engineers Can't Wait

“Holding up blue and green signs reading "Climate Can't Wait" and "Fight for Our Future," a coalition of local leaders on the front lines of Arizona's climate fight gathered Thursday — just ahead of Labor Day — at the Tempe Transportation Center to celebrate the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.”

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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]