john,

“It takes a village.” was actually adopted from a part of an African proverb; “It takes a village to raise a child.” Or “A child does not grow up only in a single home.”  Or “A child belongs not to one parent or home.”  The gist of this proverb when applied more broadly or even politically can mean different things, but I think most of us would agree that we really don’t live independently of one another.  

As union members we know this all too well, we know and understand that there is strength in numbers, especially when it comes to collective bargaining.  Fighting for our rights as workers, fighting for our safety in the workplace, fighting for dignity and respect from our employers, fighting for what’s fair!  We do this in Solidarity with one another no matter our race, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, gender or political affiliation.  We depend on each other, in spite of our differences to achieve our mutual goals, to fight for what’s best for the most! 

A recent Gallup poll shows that U.S. approval of Labor Unions is at 71%; the highest point since 1965.  Sixteen percent of Americans live in a union household, meaning they themselves or someone else in the household is a union member.  To take advantage of the growing approval of unions, President Shuler announced at the AFL-CIO Convention in June, that the AFL-CIO would organize 1,000,000 new union members in the next 10 years! 

We can do this and we do it, not by ourselves, or in silos, but in coalition.  Coalition with others in our community, like the faith community.  Just this past Labor Day union members around the state participated in the Labor In the Pulpit program or worked with the Arizona Faith Network to protect voting rights.  Working with other partners at the Arizona Wins Table fighting for public education, immigrant rights, electoral programs and standing with our union siblings to protect a worker’s right to organize and with all of our partners to protect a woman’s right to choose. Unions work to raise the standard of living for all workers, to create equality for all workers, to fight for justice for all workers, fight for affordable healthcare for all workers and to protect social security and a sustainable retirement for all workers, and this my friend “Takes a village”!  

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Labor 2022 Day of Action 

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

TWU 556 Informational Picket 

Southwest Flight Attendants will take a stand by conducting an informational picket on working conditions

• When: September 27th, 2022 from 10:00am to 1:00pm
• Where: Sky Harbor Airport - Terminal 4, Curbside, Level 2 8E curb East of Door 28

NALC Disaster Relief for Puerto Rico 

Many are left without power or running water in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona hit the island. Please consider contributing to the National Association of Letter Carriers Disaster Relief Foundation which was established to alleviate the suffering of members affected by natural disasters.

Arizona Legislative Paid Internship Program 

Candidates for a bachelor's or master's degree with a GPA of 3.0 may apply! Interns will spend time working in Arizona state Senate or House of Representatives and will work with staff on issues for their respective parties analyzing public policy for members of a standing committee.

• Applications Deadline: September 23 by 5:00pm MST

I AM A VOTER 

Sign the pledge to vote in November! Organized Labor will combat the power of organized money. We're voting to protect our freedoms- and our voices will be heard. 

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].

How Big Were Pandemic Learning Losses, Really?

"Despite the Covid disruption, school test score declines look pretty modest"

Are There Better Places to Put Large Solar Farms Than These Forests?

“'For the great promise of renewable energy to be realized, states like Virginia must create an environment where solar nature and people can peaceably coexist."

Latinos Rise Up Amid Resurgence of Unions

“Latino workers say they are finding their voice in the resurgence of unionization across the U.S. The big picture: The pandemic and tight labor market are empowering more workers to organize for better conditions across the country and within new companies, including Starbucks and Amazon. What they’re saying: The pandemic made clear corporations’ lack of commitment to employees, with many “choosing their profits over their workers,” Beto Sanchez, an organizer with Starbucks Workers United, says.”

Workers Need Stronger Labor Laws Now More Than Ever

"'Nearly 20 years after the publication of Kate Bronfenbrenner’s groundbreaking report on the state of organizing, she testified this week before Congress to preview new data showing that working people continue to face significant barriers in their efforts to form a union. Her testimony was given during a hearing before the House Education and Labor Committee on corporate union-busting and removing barriers to organizing. Bronfenbrenner’s testimony highlighted that while election win-rates have increased, the level of opposition workers face has intensified. Her analysis is further evidence for why we must pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.”

Machinists Say Railroads are 'Somewhat Receptive' to Its Demands

“A US railroad union that authorized a strike last week says it’s been making incremental progress in the latest round of negotiations with freight rail carriers. “The carriers have been somewhat receptive to making some needed changes,” leaders of the International Association of Machinists District Lodge 19 said in a letter to members Thursday. “Your continued solidarity is the best way to send a strong message to the carriers as we continue our work at the negotiating table.” Nearly 5,000 workers belonging to District Lodge 19 rejected a contract with the rail companies Sept. 14, and gave leaders the green light to call a strike. The next day, President Joe Biden announced a tentative deal had been reached with leaders of other unions after all-night negotiations with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, averting an imminent strike. Members of individual unions must still vote to approve the deal.”

How AFL-CIO Wants to Get More Black Met & Other Workers Into Apprenticeships

“The AFL-CIO is teaming up with the Chris Gardner Foundation to launch a new program in Detroit this week aimed at getting more high school students from underserved communities — Black men, among others — into apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in the building trades or automotive industries."

Politicians & Student Leaders Host Event Downtown for National Voter Registration Day

“Despite the light crowd, speakers and leaders at the event remained optimistic about student voter participation.”

Arizona Democrats Call For Special Session to Lift School Spending Cap

“The fate of Arizona public school funding hangs in the hands of the state Legislature and Gov. Doug Ducey for a second time this year. K-12 schools are again faced with the possibility of losing more than $1.3 billion in approved funding because of the constitutionally mandated school spending cap from 1980, the Aggregate Expenditure Limit. Democrats, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, are calling on Republican Gov. Ducey to call a special legislative session to address the AEL.”

Flagstaff Gets $32.4M for Transportation and Pedestrian Infrastructure Upgrades

“A historic $32,460,000 will be invested in transportation and pedestrian safety infrastructure in the City of Flagstaff from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema and shaped by Senator Mark Kelly

Watch: Arizona Secretary of State candidates Fontes, Finchem face off in debate

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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]