John,

Early ballots are out and many of you have already sent them in; that's great! Forming and following a plan is the best way to ensure your vote gets counted! As the data continues to come in from our Labor 2022 campaign, we do see encouraging signs from our phone bank conversations and conversations at the doors. But let’s not take anything for granted, please talk to family members, friends and fellow union members about the importance of voting and electing worker-friendly candidates, no matter what party we belong to. We are continuing the work of building Worker Power!

Many of your unions have done the research and have endorsed the candidates they feel will fight for you and your interests; so has the AZ AFL-CIO. So if you are looking for some helpful information on the candidates who will represent you and your family the best, please refer to your union or the AZ AFL-CIO for important endorsement information. When we (Union Members) VOTE, we WIN!

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Knocktober: Scream, Shout, and Get Out the Vote! 

Come join us and bring your family and friends! We need your help in getting out the vote! Election day is right around the corner and we need all hands on deck to make sure we are electing labor-friendly candidates! We will be launching canvasses at 10am and 2pm both days. Phone-banking will also be available.

When: Saturday and Sunday October 29th & 30th, 2022

Where: Painter's Hall - 210 N 24th St #3, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Building Power with Immigrant Workers 

Tuesday, November 1st, from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm  the head of the AFL-CIO Immigration Policy Center; Shannon Lederer will be in Phoenix, AZ holding a workshop on how to use a new rule from the White House which offers workers who sign union cards an application for 2 years of deferred immigration action. 

If you would like to join, please contact: Bob Struckman at [email protected] or (202) 412-1918

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].

Vote No On 'Needless and Harmful' Amendment 1

"Amendment 1 seeks to enshrine in the Tennessee Constitution a policy that undermines workers’ rights. If passed, it will give employers increased leverage over their employees in a relationship that is already unfairly tilted toward employers."

2022 Is Turning Into a Stress Test for the Election System

“This year’s midterms are not shaping up to be normal elections. In an environment in which one party is gripped by skepticism and denialism about foundational democratic processes, new avenues are opening for voter intimidation and election interference — a stress test that could be a small taste of what is ahead in the 2024 presidential election."

The Power of Going on Strike: The Working People Weekly List

“American Workers Are Rediscovering the Power of Going on Strike: “Dire headlines about inflation are masking one of the biggest economic shifts in the U.S. labor market: After decades of decline, the American labor movement is showing signs of revival. With support for unions increasing, workers have more power as they request better pay and workplace benefits—and this could have a significant impact in reversing the long-standing trend of sluggish wage growth and low job quality for workers, despite increasing productivity and economic growth."

Early Voters in Georgia Face Obstacles Under State's New Election Law 

"Excited to cast her ballot for her chosen candidates in the gubernatorial and Senate races, Stacey Abrams and Senator Raphael Warnock. However, when she reached the check-in station at the polling site, she was informed that she would be unable to cast a regular ballot because her validity as a voter was challenged.”

In the U.S., Some 4.6 Million People Are Disenfranchised Due to a Felony Conviction

“An estimated 2% of the voting age population in the United States will be ineligible to cast ballots during this year's midterm elections due to state laws banning people with felony convictions from voting. That's according to research released Tuesday by the Sentencing Project, a nonprofit organization that advocates for restoration of voting rights for people with prior felony convictions."

Why Pediatricians are Worried About the end of the Federal COVID Emergency 

“Millions of children across the U.S. rely on Medicaid for health coverage. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, a federal emergency declaration has allowed them to receive continuous coverage — without having to re-enroll, or jump through bureaucratic hoops”

Candidates on Retirement Security: Blake Master of Arizona

“One of the most important issues for working people in the 2022 midterm elections is retirement security. Candidates across the country are focused on undercutting retirement security, but working people reject these cynical moves and will support candidates who promise to protect Social Security and related programs. ”

Right-wing Vigilantes Sued for Intimidating Arizona Voters

“On Monday, Oct. 24, the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and Voto Latino filed a lawsuit against Clean Elections USA, its affiliates and unidentified individuals (who allegedly have been “recruited or encouraged” by Clean Elections USA to monitor drop boxes) challenging the organization’s voter intimidation practices in Arizona. ”

U.S. Midterm Outcome in Certain States Could Affect Approach to Energy

“Oregon’s cap-and-trade program, Maryland’s net-zero emissions targets, and Arizona’s solar subsidies all hang in the balance in upcoming midterm elections, and their fate could have an effect on U.S. climate performance.”

Arizona to Vote on Introducing More Voter ID Requirements

"A measure on Arizona’s ballot in November could require more stringent voter identification, both at the polls and via mail-in ballots – the primary way people in the state vote. Opponents of Proposition 309 warn it could disenfranchise voters, making them susceptible to identity fraud and taking longer to count ballots. But the measure has the backing of Arizona GOP heavyweights and the state party itself, and it comes on the heels of nonstop, unfounded claims of 2020 election fraud by Republicans here"

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]