john,

Union members here in Arizona have turned out and have been heard! Against all odds, the solidarity of union members and community partners helped elect worker-friendly candidates; from Senator Mark Kelly, Governor-Elect Katie Hobbs, and Secretary State-Elect Adrian Fontes. Endorsed candidate for Attorney General-Elect Kris Mays is leading by the narrowest of margins and heading to a recount.

Those elected officials now working with union members to build power for working people, are now prepared to move forward with workers having a seat at the table in Arizona for the first time in generations.

The energy and dedication to fight for worker's rights have materialized and a clear message from voters in support of Arizona's working families. Although there is victory today, the Arizona AFL-CIO will never stop fighting for higher wages, safer working conditions, and stronger protection on the job. This dedication will go from the State House to the halls of Congress!

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

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Working People Key in Driving Midterm Wins- and We're Just Getting Started

"The pundits had it all figured out. All the polling data and conventional wisdom pointed to a shift in power in both the House and the Senate. A red wave was coming. But then, in state after state, union households provided critical votes that put pro-worker candidates over the top."

Gen Z Voted and It Was a W for Democracy. We Can No Longer Be a Political Afterthought

“A burning planet, abortion restrictions and weapons of war in schools were the issues at top of mind as young voters like me headed to the polls in the midterm elections. Despite obstacles, we showed up to make our voices heard."

Starbucks Union to Strike at More Than 100 Locations on Red Cup Day, One of the Chain's Busiest Days of the Year

“The union said the strike is meant to call attention to the company’s alleged union busting and refusal to negotiate contracts fairly. Starbucks has denied all allegations of unfair labor practices."

New School an Parsons School of Design Adjunct Professors Go on Strike 

“Part-time faculty members at the New School, a historically progressive university that includes the Parsons School of Design, walked out en masse on Wednesday to protest pay and working conditions. The strike is a culmination of years of contentious relations between the adjunct faculty and the university’s administration and is part of a nationwide trend; earlier this week, 48,000 academic staff in the University of California system went on strike over job security."

National Apprenticeship Week: A Conversation with Women in the Trades 

“Meet five women apprentices whose lives have been transformed in the building trades. The labor movement' world-class apprenticeship programs upskill working people, allowing more workers to take on good union jobs. This week, we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we also recognize America's apprentices and the unions that have provide this pathway to the middle class."

Freight Railroads Say Strike Can Still Be Avoided 

"The trade group representing the nation’s freight railroads is confident that a strike by more than 100,000 union members can be avoided, even after rank-and-file members rejected the tentative labor deals reached earlier this fall. So far three rail unions have rejected the proposed agreements and are set to go on strike as soon as Dec. 4. The two largest rail unions, which represent the conductors and engineers, are due to announce the results of their ratification votes on Monday. The nations’ major freight railroads negotiate together on industrywide labor contracts with each of the 12 railroad unions.”

Delta Gets Closer to Labor Deal with Pilots, Union Says 

“Delta Air Lines is getting closer to a labor deal with pilots, the pilots union said, marking a big improvement in a relationship that turned icy during yearslong negotiations. A preliminary deal this year would clear a major hurdle for Delta. Other carriers, including rivals United  and American, have also been unable to reach new labor agreements. Contract talks were derailed during the pandemic as travel demand plunged and carriers booked record losses. Airlines are now profitable again, but negotiations have remained difficult throughout the industry. Delta, American, United, FedEx and Southwest pilots have picketed in recent months to demand better pay and schedules. Passenger airline pilots complained about poor quality of life from frequent flight changes and grueling schedules.”

Prop 308, Measure to Give Arizona 'Dreamers' In-State Tuition, Passes

“Students in Arizona will again be able to pay in-state tuition and qualify for state financial aid regardless of their immigration status. Proposition 308 was projected to pass Monday evening, according to The Associated Press. In doing so, Arizona will join at least 19 other states that already offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. Arizona used to do the same until voters passed a ballot measure in 2006 to prohibit that.”

A Rare Win in the Fight Against Dark Money

“Unsurprisingly, the Arizona measure was opposed by some of the wealthiest and most powerful dark-money groups in the country. Leading the opposition was an organization known as the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, which, according to past financial disclosure records, has been a recipient of funds from the billionaire Koch family’s dark-money group, Americans for Prosperity. Despite the deep-pocketed opposition, the Arizona measure sailed through so handily—winning more than seventy-per-cent support—that the Associated Press declared it a victory even as the votes were still being counted in the state’s agonizingly drawn-out Senate and governor’s races. While the measure’s lopsided success this year made it look surprisingly easy to pass, the victory was actually the culmination of a nearly decade-long struggle largely led by Goddard, who refused to give up. The measure was, in fact, his fourth attempt at a petition drive. Reached by phone in his office in Phoenix, where he previously served as mayor, Goddard, who is seventy-five, and has the unassuming manner of an aging Jimmy Stewart, acknowledged, “It’s been a long road.'"

Arizona Republicans Withdraw Lawsuit to Force a Hand Count in Local Election

“Two Republicans who control the board in a rural southeastern Arizona county on Wednesday told a judge they want to withdraw a lawsuit they had filed just two days prior that sought to force their own elections director to hand-count all the ballots cast in-person on Election Day. The court filing and one of the GOP supervisors in Cochise County said they did not want to interfere with the likely recount in the race for Arizona attorney general. Democrat Kris Mayes was leading Republican Abraham Hamadeh by well under the recount margin as of late Wednesday afternoon.”

Hobbs Wins Arizona Governor's Race, Flipping State for Dems

“Democrat Katie Hobbs was elected Arizona governor on Monday. Defeating an ally of Donald Trump who falsely claimed the 2020 election was rigged and refused to say she would accept the result of her race this year."

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