john,

When President Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Redmond were elected at the AFL-CIO Convention in June of last year, they made a commitment to prioritize racial equity within the ranks of leadership of organized labor. To achieve this, it would require those same national and local leaders to exercise discipline and to make hard decisions, it would demand sacrifice at the highest levels of federated bodies and autonomous local unions throughout the country. It would call on them to practice the very essence of unionism, Solidarity, in the truest sense of the word! No one likes to give up power, but real leaders help build leaders and this is what has to happen if we are to realize racial justice and equity in the labor movement.

As the Task Force on Racial Justice, a group consisting of labor leaders from State Federations, Central Labor Councils, and Area Labor Federations from across the country continues to meet, it’s good to know that the work didn’t stop at the convention. Changes in the language in the constitution and by-laws are just part of the process. Changing the hearts and minds and practices of labor leaders as well as rank-and-file members will be the biggest challenge in bringing racial justice and equity to organized labor. If these recent elections and promotions are any indication, then we are on our way!

In June of 2022, President Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Redmond became the first Woman and first African American elected to lead the AFL-CIO. In July of 2022, Lorena Gonzalez became the first Latina to lead the California Federation of Labor. In November of 2022, Yvonne Wheeler became the first African American Woman to be President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. In January of this year, April Sims and Cherika Carter became the first African American Women to head the Washington State Labor Council.

While continuing to lead by example, just yesterday, President Shuler announced a host of promotions to leadership positions within the National AFL-CIO of people of color. Including our own Western Region Campaign Coordinator, Artie Blanco to National Campaign Director.

As a member of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community; I am proud to be a leader and a person of color in the labor movement. And I am proud to be a part of the change we need!

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

We Need Labor Laws That Protect Our Right to Organize

2023 Union Plus Scholarship

Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $5 million to students of union families. Over 3,500 union families have benefited from our commitment to higher education.

This program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, which is sponsored by Union Privilege.

The Union Plus Education Foundation is funded in part by donations from Capital One N.A., the provider of the Union Plus Credit Card (You do not need to be a Union Plus Credit Card holder to apply for this scholarship.)

Deadline: 12:00 PM (Noon, Eastern Standard Time), Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

UCW Arizona Demands a Dignified Wage for ALL Workers at Arizona State University

Sign their petition in support of increasing workers' wages to $25 an hour by the year 2025 at Arizona State University 

"We need your support to ensure dignified jobs and fair wages. UCWAZ believes that all workers must be paid thriving wages in Arizona."

2023 Legislative Committee Meeting Alerts

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For additional questions, contact our Political Director; Joe Murphy at [email protected] 

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Union Events and Action

We want to uplift what you are doing for our members and our community!

Please fill out all the required information to have your Local's event uploaded to our Arizona AFL-CIO website or featured in our next Labor Dispatch. If you have any questions please reach out to Alina Cordoba, Communications & Operations Director at [email protected].

The Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Reminds Us That the Fight for Workers' Rights Continues 

"The 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade should have been a day of celebration. A day where we felt energized and ready to build on this historic victory for women’s rights and   increase the number of working people who could access safe abortion and quality, affordable reproductive health care"

A Strike Offers A Window Into What Nurses Really Want: Enough Staff 

"Danny Fuentes works as a nurse in New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital’s transplant unit, where his father once received a new liver. It takes a lot for him to leave his patients and march on a picket line. But he did it this month as part of a three-day strike against his hospital and nearby Montefiore Medical Center because, he said, it was in the best interests of his patients."

'SNL' Postproduction Workers Authorize Strike as Contracts Negotiations Stall

“The group, which is attempting to reach its first agreement with management after unionizing in October, is responsible for prerecorded segments on the iconic NBC show.”

Amazon Union Fight Continues Despite Workers' Win 

“It has been almost a year since workers at an Amazon warehouse in New York voted to start the company's first-ever labour union in the US - an historic labour victory that won global attention. But the fight remains unfinished. Amazon has been battling the outcome of the election in legal actions. Efforts to organise workers at other warehouses, including one just across the street, have failed. Negotiations with the company over a labour contract for the warehouse workers have yet to start - and, when they do, are expected to take years."

Workers at Austin Tech Company Look to Unionize 

"Workers at an Austin tech company dedicated to connecting those in need with social welfare services are trying to unionize. Why it matters: The union effort reflects worker unrest amid a wave of layoffs in the tech industry. In the last year, Austin has seen new union efforts by baristas, nurses and pizza workers. Driving the news: More than 150 employees at the company Findhelp — including engineers, business analysts and production support workers — have filed for a National Labor Relations Board union election, per a press release this week from the group"

HarperCollins, Harper Union Move to Solve Labor Dispute with Independent Mediator 

"In a company-wide memo sent on January 25, HarperCollins announced that it has reached an agreement with its employee union to have a mutually-agreed-upon independent mediator take over labor negotiations. With more than 200 union employees on strike since November 10, the company said that it hopes a mediator will be able to clear “a path forward” for employees to return to work."

Mayor Wheeler Declares Local Emergency Ahead of Looming Strike by City Laborers 

"More than 600 city sewer, roads, parks and other workers could go on strike as early as Feb. 2 as lengthy negotiations have failed to produce a new contract.

Phoenix City Council Votes to Spend $230M on Low-and No-Emission Buses

“The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to spend up to $230 million over the next five years to purchase low- and no-emission buses as part of the city's plans to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change."

Your Income Tax Refund Check May be Smaller This Year. Here's Why 

"Taxpayers, yes that includes you and me, are preparing tax returns with the hopes of receiving speedy refunds from the IRS. And like any other tax season, there are a few changes that may be unknown to some taxpayers." 

Rep. Ruben Gallego Launches Bid for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's Arizona Seat

“Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona on Monday launched a 2024 campaign for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who recently left the Democratic Party and faces an uncertain political future."

Arizona's New Attorney General to Use Election Fraud Unit to Boost Voting Rights 

“A unit created under the former Republican attorney general of Arizona to investigate claims of election fraud will now focus on voting rights and ballot access under the newly elected Democratic attorney general."

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