john,

The AFL-CIO constituency groups are Union’s bridge to diverse communities, creating and strengthening partnerships to enhance living standards for all workers and their families.

The groups also promote the full participation of women and minorities in the union movement and ensure unions hear and respond to the concerns of the communities they represent.

The AFL-CIO constituency groups are given standing with representation on the Executive Committees and General Boards within our State Federation, Central Labor Council and Area Labor Federation structure across the country, including here at the AZ AFL-CIO.

The oldest and the first constituency group; the A. Phillip Randolph Institute was founded by Civil Rights and Labor Leader, A. Phillip Randolph in 1965 during the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. And the most recent constituency group, the Union Veterans Council was founded in 2008.

The AFL-CIO constituency groups have had a long and meaningful relationship with organized labor, successfully helping to elect worker-friendly Senators in Georgia in 2020 and standing side by side with labor to defend and protect the rights of working families everywhere.

If you are interested in getting involved with a constituency group, here is the list of active groups in Arizona: · A. Phillip Randolph Institute-Phoenix. Contact: Rasean Clayton @ [email protected] or Joe Diggs @ [email protected] · A. Phillip Randolph Institute-Tucson. Contact: Ryan Kelly @ [email protected]

· Labor Council for Latin American Advancement-Phoenix. Contact: Beatriz Topete @ [email protected] or Oscar Aragon @ [email protected]

· Pride At Work-Phoenix. Contact: Dawn Schumann @ [email protected] 

If you are interested in helping establish a chapter of one of the other AFL-CIO constituency groups listed below; contact: Alina Cordoba @ [email protected] 

· Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance-APALA

· Coalition of Black Trade Unionist-CBTU

· Coalition of Labor Union Women-CLUW

· Union Veterans Council

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

NALC Indigenous People's 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 Hodge AZ/C1, Congressman Tom O'Halleran AZ/CD2, Congressman Greg Stanton AZ/CD4, and AZ Gubernational Candidate Katie Hobbs.

• When: October 10th, 2022 at 9:00 am
• Where: NALC Branch #576 Union Hall- 3720 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ, 85053

AARA Rally for Social Security with Mark Kelly   

Join the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans at a Rally for Social Security with Senator Mark Kelly! Snacks Provided

• When: October 14th, 2022 at 9:00 am
• Where: IBEW Local 640 Union Hall- 5808 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ, 85014

AZ Building Trades' 24th Annual Joe Standley Golf Tournament  

This fundraiser is to benefit Labor's Community Service Agency. See the flyer below to sponsor, donate or register a team!

• When: Friday, October 21st, 2022 with a 6:30 am Registration
• Where: Orange Tree Golf Club - 10601 N. 56th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85254

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. See the flyer below to get more information on this fun event!

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

Election Protection: Unions at the Polls 

Do you want elections to be fair, safe and accessible to all? Poll workers are our first line of defense to make sure casting a ballot is available to anyone who wants to vote. Volunteer to be a poll worker for your community today. Learn More!

Like we do every day, union members have been stepping up and leading to protect our rights and our democracy. The AFL-CIO and Arizona AFL-CIO are proud to partner with Power the Polls, a nonpartisan initiative to recruit poll workers to ensure a safe, fair, efficient election for all voters.

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

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].

With DACA's Demise Imminent, Congress Must Finally Step UP and Save 'Dreamers'

"Yet another court has ruled unlawful the Obama-era protections for “dreamers,” or immigrants in the United States without authorization who were brought here as children. The program looks increasingly likely to get struck down within the next year. Congress must stop dithering, stop finger-pointing and finally provide a permanent legal fix for these sympathetic young immigrants."

The Summer of Flooding Never Seems to End. Here's How Some Places Fight Back.

“The scenes are getting all too familiar: torrential rains triggering floodwaters that engulf roads, houses, subdivisions and cities, overwhelming officials and residents who’ve never seen anything like it before. Almost as soon as the cleanup starts somewhere, another wave of flooding hits. It has occurred in Houston, Detroit, St. Louis and most recently, eastern Kentucky, where President Biden visited this week. He vowed to provide ample federal resources and promised a return trip to gauge progress on efforts to rebuild."

For Undergrads, the Best Extracurricular Is a Labor Union

“In 2019, the National Labor Relations Board proposed shrinking the definition of “employee” to exclude college students working for their university in connection with their studies. In their eyes, the relationship between a private university and a student worker engaged in teaching or research was primarily educational, not financial. If accepted, the rule would have severely limited student workers’ right to unionize. But in early 2021, President Joe Biden’s NLRB suddenly withdrew the proposal, citing limited resources. The agency would instead focus on the “adjudication of cases currently in progress.” Biden had been sworn in less than two months before, appointing a former union leader, Marty Walsh, as labor secretary.”

The Closing Gender, Education, and Ideological Divides Behind the Gen Z's Union Movement

"Nationwide support for organized labor has reached a high-water mark not achieved since the 1960s, with strong support across all generations and highest among Generation Z.1 Members of Gen Z are entering the workforce at a time of growing economic uncertainty, as college degrees no longer promise job stability and young people describe high levels of economic anxiety.2 Among these workers, unions may hold special appeal as a way of not only achieving financial independence and security, but also asserting their voices in the workplace.”

Amazon Labor Union says 50 Workers Suspended for Refusing to Work in "Unsafe" Staten Island Warehouse After Fire

“A still-unrecognized labor union for an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York said early Wednesday that 50 workers at the facility were suspended by the online retail giant for staging a walkout after a fire led to unsafe work conditions. About 100 workers staged a march through the warehouse facility Monday night, demanding to be sent home with pay after the fire in a trash compactor just outside.”

Biden Pardons All Federal Offenses of Simple Marijuana Possession in First Major Step Toward Decriminalization

“President Joe Biden is taking his first major steps toward decriminalizing marijuana, fulfilling a campaign pledge to erase prior federal possession convictions and beginning the process of potentially loosening federal classification of the drug. Biden on Thursday pardoned all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession, a move that senior administration officials said would affect thousands of Americans charged with that crime. The announcements comes a month ahead of critical November elections that will determine control of Congress."

2022 Arizona Senate Debate Featuring Mark Kelly, Blake Masters and Marc Victor

Click "Watch Now" to see U.S Senate candidates debate the issues of their race

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day in Arizona With These 7 Fun & Educational Events

“Monday, Oct. 10, is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and across Arizona, many schools, businesses, organizations, and individuals are choosing to commemorate this newly recognized holiday instead of Columbus Day, which traditionally has been observed on the second Monday of the month.”

Prop 308: Arizona Weighing In-State Tuition Rate for Some Non-Citizens

“Arizona voters this November will decide whether to allow students regardless of their immigration status to obtain financial aid and cheaper in-state tuition at state universities and community colleges. At least 18 states, including California and Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia now offer in-state tuition to all students who otherwise qualify regardless of status, according to a website that tracks higher education and immigration data.”

Liz Cheney Urges Arizona Voters to Reject GOP Candidates for Governor, Secretary of State in November

"Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming said Wednesday during an appearance in Arizona that if she lived in the state, she would vote for the Democratic candidates for governor and secretary of state on the ballot in November, and urged voters there to reject the Republican nominees. 'For almost 40 years now, I've been voting Republican," Cheney said during an event hosted by the McCain Institute at Arizona State University.  "I don't know if I have ever voted for a Democrat, but if I lived in Arizona now, I absolutely would for governor and for secretary of state.'"

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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]