John,

In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15th through October 15th, the AZ AFL-CIO would like to lift up the 1968 L.A. walkouts, also called the Los Angeles walkouts. Social protests in March 1968; which thousands of Mexican American students walked out of classes in Los Angeles, protesting inequality in the public school system.

Our own Arizona Jobs With Justice President, Steve Valencia and wife Mita Cuaron were two of the student organizers of ‘The 1968 High School Walkouts of East Los Angeles’. Let’s learn from Mita’s own words on what happened to cause thousands of students to take action to fight for justice.

“The 1968 H.S. Walkouts of East Los Angeles which was predominately Mexican, was the result of decades-long separate educational system. This system was known as “Mexican Schools”.

The sole purpose of Mexican Schools was to promote and sustain an agenda of funneling Mexican students into vocational and industrial arts curriculums, while discouraging enrollment into four- year colleges and universities.

After all, the prevailing belief systems were steeped in fascism and prejudice perpetuated by administrators and teachers alike whose belief was, “Mexicans didn’t know how to use their minds, only their hands.” Many parents who were first generation Mexican Americans sided with the school system, they believed after all, “We are the educated ones!” Sadly, they didn’t know the difference between skills and education. While the school system had no expectations of us.

Students risking their lives doing the job of adults, taking to the streets, it was a civil rights movement, and more poignantly, the birth of Chicanoism became a reality shifting the paradigm forever!”

- Mita Cuaron

Born to a Mexican Father and Jewish Mother; whom as a community activists , helped organize 22,000 students in the East Los Angeles. During the walkouts at Garfield High School she experienced having a Molotov cocktail thrown at her, being assaulted, arrested and suspended.

Mita continues to also be involved in social activism to this day. She has a GE Certificate and eventually enrolled in Nursing LVN & RN School. She also volunteers with Flying Samaritans providing medical care to people in Baja, California for the past 45 years.

A photo from the 68' East Los Angeles Walkout -  Husband of Mita Cuaron; Steve Valencia can be seen to the right in glasses behind the speaker 

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Rasean is from Macon, Georgia, and a Naval Veteran who served abroad the USS Essex LHD-2. As a Proud Union member, he served as a an Executive Vice President of Local 7050, Political Director, Organizer, and Represented CWA D7 on the National Human Rights/Civil Rights and Equity Committee. 

He stated, "When having the opportunity to join a union there was no hesitation on my part! I instantly filled my card and started contributing to the Political Action Fund. I truly believe that human rights are workers rights and that all labor deserves dignity. I want to continue the empowerment of workers and fight to repeal the Right to Work." 

Labor 2022 Day of Action 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: October 1st & 2nd 2022 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
• Where: Painters Union Hall - 210 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ

Labor 2022 Daily Phone Banking 

Election Day is November 8th! The Arizona AFL-CIO is working to get pro-labor candidates elected. Phone banking available daily at the Painter's Union Hall or call remotely. Sign up for one or multiple phone banking shifts. Please invite your friends and family as well!

• Phone Bank Shift 1: 10 AM - 1 PM
• Phone Bank Shift 2: 1 PM - 4 PM
• Phone Bank Shift 3: 4 PM - 8 PM

Sign up for one of our daily phone bank shifts Saturday and Sunday:

• Phone Bank Shift 1: 10 AM - 1 PM
• Phone Bank Shift 2: 1 PM - 5 PM

LCSA 3rd Annual Cupcake Chase 5k  

The Labor's Community Service Agency is still looking for sponsors, runners, and volunteers! Give back to the community & families in need. Cupcakes are promised!

• When: October 1st, 2022 from 7:00am to 11:00am
• Where: Arizona Falls - 5802 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ, 85014
• Contact: Rebekah Friend - [email protected]

CWA Local 7026 Presents: HOPE 2022 25th Annual Golf Tournament 

This fundraiser is to benefit the lifesaving work of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

• When: October 22nd, 2022 from 7:00 am to 11:00 am

Click "Be a Sponsor" to get more information on this fun event!

NALC Hurricane Disaster Relief  

Many are left without power or running water in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona hit the island. Now we have Hurricane Ian making its way in. 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.

LAN New Scholars Research Grants 

Labor Research and Action Network brings together workers' right advocates academics, and students with the shared goal of building workplace & economic power.

They are pleased to announce a competition for seed grants ranging from $1,000-$3,000 for graduate students, untenured faculty and labor activists for research on U.S. labor-focused projects. They are encouraging activists not connected to an academic institution to apply

• Applications Deadline: November 18th, 2022

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 sharing 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 has available yard signs that confidently state "Proud Union Home" 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].

Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic and Latino Business in America

"Tribal nations looking to improve or develop tribal tourism businesses within their communities have a chance to get some support through the Tribal Tourism Grant Program. The grant is funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development Program, and it supports the development of new tribal tourism businesses as well as helping existing tourism businesses recover from the pandemic."

How Some Businesses Flounder with Hispanic Heritage Month Marketing Efforts

“As companies mark Hispanic Heritage Month, recent high-profile mistakes are demonstrating what not to do, just as much as what companies can do, in hopes of appealing to a Latino audience."

New 'Striketober' looms as US Walkouts Increase Amid Surge in Union Activity

“Thousands of workers around the US are going on strike or threatening to do so heading into October, amid a recent surge of labor action activity in America and just one month before crucial midterm elections. Support for labor unions in the US has grown over the past year, as a surge in organizing has resulted in workers winning union elections at major corporations including Starbucks, Amazon, Apple, Chipotle, Trader Joe’s, Google, REI and Verizon. Union election petitions increased 58% in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2022, compared with 2021. Public support for labor unions is at its highest point since 1965, according to the most recent Gallup poll, with a 71% approval of labor unions in the US”

Tennessee's Amendment 1 Would Add Right-to-Work to State's Constitution, Unions Oppose It

"Tennesseans will have the opportunity to cement a right-to-work law into the state constitution at the ballot box in November, a move touted by pro-business leaders but adamantly opposed by organized labor unions. The state's right-to-work law allows employees to opt out of joining a union and paying the dues even if the workforce is unionized. Tennessee's major unions are against Amendment 1 and criticized the right-to-work law for creating a "free-loader situation.”

Unions Are Making a Last-Ditch Effort to Expand Bargaining Rights for VA Medical Professionals

“Officials with multiple federal employee unions on Tuesday urged congressional leaders to call up legislation expanding collective bargaining rights for medical professionals at the Veterans Affairs Department for a vote. Last year, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., introduced the VA Employee Fairness Act (H.R. 1948), which would end the longstanding prohibition on the department’s Title 38 employees, including nurses, doctors and other medical professionals, negotiating over issues of patient care and clinical competency, effectively giving them fully Title 5 collective bargaining rights. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.”

Minimum Wage Increases on Tap for 2023

“The federal fiscal year ends this week, which means the calendar will be flipping before you know it. January often marks the start date for many policy changes, including minimum wage rate increases. That will be an additional cost that employers will have to factor into their businesses. Though the federal rate will remain at $7.25 — as it has stood since 2009, despite attempts by Democrats to raise the hourly pay floor beyond double digits — a majority of states have set their own higher amounts, according to the Labor Department. Come January, states ranging from Missouri to Delaware will be phasing in statutory increases to their minimum wages, per the National Conference of State Legislatures. Missouri is among those that will top out at $12, while others are on the path to $15 an hour."

Maricopa County Attorney Says Court Ruling Didn't Resolve Arizona Abortion Law

“Maricopa County’s top prosecutor said Tuesday that last week’s court ruling on abortion didn’t resolve the issue of what the law actually is in Arizona. In a video posted to social media, Interim County Attorney Rachel Mitchell went on to say her office wouldn’t prosecute any abortion cases, if brought, without further judicial guidance. She said there haven’t yet been any abortion-related cases submitted since a judge ruled Friday that Arizona can enforce a near-total ban that had been blocked for nearly 50 years.”

Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants Demanding Change During Tuesday Picket

"The flight attendants are members of TWU Local 556, the union of 18,000-plus flight attendants of Southwest Airlines.

The union said they need a new contract, and they are taking the fight to the picket lines."

Bill Banning Sexually Explicit Materials in Arizona Public Schools Goes Into Effect

“Starting this week, a few more books in Arizona will be banned in public schools. House Bill 2495 went into effect over the weekend, banning public schools from using any materials that depict sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sexual acts. Any material with serious educational, literary, artistic, political, or scientific value can still be displayed at public schools. But even then, parental consent is required. “There’s just no reason why policy makers should be passing these types of laws,” Arizona Education Association President Marisol Garcia said.”

Tribal Tourism Grants Aim to Help Businesses Hurt During the Pandemic

“Tribal nations looking to improve or develop tribal tourism businesses within their communities have a chance to get some support through the Tribal Tourism Grant Program.

The grant is funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development Program, and it supports the development of new tribal tourism businesses as well as helping existing tourism businesses recover from the pandemic. ”

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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]