John

I am pleased to introduce our newest employee, Esau Gutierrez, who is joining our team as the Training Specialist. Esau has a fascinating background that has taken him through various labor organizing and advocacy fields.

Born in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, Esau immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of nine. His father, a shoemaker turned public school custodian, and mother, homemaker turned hotel housekeeper, saw firsthand the importance of unionized labor in improving the lives of working families. This experience sparked a passion in Esau to become involved in labor advocacy and community organizing.

Esau worked in Sacramento homeless shelters as well as with UNITE HERE! Local 49 as an organizer, political canvasser, and trainer since 2016. He has fought casino and hotel decertification, organizing citizenship workshops, and political campaigns for labor including the Reno 2018 and 2020 campaigns and the Georgia runoff election in 2020.

From 2020 to 2023, Esau spent nearly three years as a Labor Representative for the California School Employees Association (CSEA). In this role, he represented, trained, and organized thousands of public school employees. He also bargained for fair agreements with fair wages, including some of the very first public school agreements in the state to recognize the Juneteenth Federal Holiday.

Esau's experience and expertise in labor organizing make him an excellent addition to our team. Please join me in welcoming Esau to our organization, and we look forward to the contributions he will make!

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

AFSCME Day At The Capitol

Come down to the AZ State Senate and participate in constituent led discussions about the issues that matter the most to you with your elected officials. There will be a training and we will be registering individuals for the Request to Speak system.

We will have drinks, snacks and a light lunch provided for all who attend.

UNITE HERE 11 & HTA Hospitality Training Academy Prep Cook Class

The first class launching in Arizona on April 10th. This program invites interested candidates to attend information sessions on March 20th, 21st, and 22nd, held at UNITE HERE Local 11 Union Hall at 1021 S. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85007. 

The Hospitality Training Academy Prep Cook Class is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to receive comprehensive kitchen training and guaranteed placement in the food service/hospitality industry. Taught by highly skilled chefs, no prior experience is required, just a passion for learning a new skill. 

For any questions, please contact Marilyn Wilbur at (480) 203-3467.

AARA Celebrates Women In Organized Labor

In Honor of Women's History Month, AARA invites you to celebrate labor leaders who are making history.

We will hear the stories of three women who gained leadership positions through hard work, determination, and dedication in the labor movement.

Come hear their stories on Friday, March 24th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

*At full capacity

Day of Action Volunteers Needed!

Monday April 24th, 2023, Arizona AFL-CIO will be hosting it's Day of Action at the Capitol and are looking for volunteers during and leading up to the event.

Alert: Protect Working People! Pass the PRO Act!

We join Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Reps. Bobby Scott (Va.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) in their call to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Work stoppages were up 52% in 2022, and the number of workers involved in stoppages increased 60%.

If we want to build up worker power, our outdated labor laws must keep up with the times. 

This is why now is the time to pass the PRO Act, just reintroduced in the House & Senate as the Richard L. Trumka PRO Act.

*Download the Zoom Banner below to share your support*

Request to Speak at Legislative Committee Meetings

Sign up and 'Request to Speak' to weigh in on bills directly with State Representatives and Senators during our Legislative Committee Meetings every Friday at 9:30 AM!

2023 Legislative Committee Meeting Alerts

Complete this form to be up on a list to get updates and alerts on the 2023 Legislative Session.

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

National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

The 31st Annual Food Drive is Saturday, May 13, 2023!

Last year NALC members and volunteers collected over 41.2 million pounds of food. Customers will receive a Food Drive Flyer reminder the week prior and a bag to fill to put in your mailbox for pickup.

Petition to Abolish Grad Fees NOW!

The graduate student employees of Northern Arizona University, call upon the Graduate College and university administration to take immediate action and eliminate student fees for all graduate employees. Charging essential employees of the university fees on the premise that they are students first directly contributes to the financial insecurity and vulnerability of members of this community. Furthermore, NAU administration is capricious and inconsistent in how it determines us students versus workers. Remission of fees for student employees would not only alleviate financial instability, but would also begin to establish clearer communication between administration and graduate student employees across campus.

Add your name if you agree! 

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 Gender Pay Gap Has Hardly Budged in 20 Years. What Gives?

"March 14th represents how far into the year women have had to work to catch up to what their male colleagues earned the previous year. In other words, women have to work nearly 15 months to earn what men make in 12 months."

The Racist Roots of Right to Work 

"Proponents of so-called "right to work" laws often use lofty language to sell their agenda, with false appeals to freedom, among other high ideals. But right to work is about freedom only in this way: It's about taking away the freedom of working people to join together in strong unions."

Michigan Senate Repeals Right-to-Work Law in Historic Victory for Organized Labor 

“In a narrow 20-17 vote on Tuesday, the state’s Senate voted to revoke legislation that allows workers in union jobs to opt out of membership and dues paying, sending it back to the state’s House for final approval"

Norfolk Southern Says It Has Reached Paid Sick Leave Agreements With 9 of 12 Rail Workers Unions 

"In the face of continuing public scrutiny, Norfolk Southern says it has recently reached agreements to provide paid sick leave to members of nine of its labor unions. The railway announced the latest deal with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Blacksmiths (IBBB) on Wednesday, giving workers four additional paid sick days per year. Similar agreements have already been reach with the following eight unions:"

LA Education Workers Poised to Announce Strike That 'Likely' Would Close Schools 

"Thousands of Los Angeles Unified School District employees plan to announce a three-day strike at a rally on Wednesday, in a move Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told parents would likely force the nation's second-largest school system to shut down for days without access to even remote classes. About 30,000 workers who are members of SEIU Local 99, which represents bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria employees, campus security and teaching assistants, are asking for the district to "use the district’s $4.9 billion in reserves to invest in staff, students, and communities" to pay for a 30% raise and $2 per hour equity wage increase. The district's 35,000 teachers. represented by United Teachers Los Angeles, are expected to join."

Ohio May Prohibit Employees At Public Universities, Colleges From Striking

“Employees at Ohio's public universities and community colleges would be prohibited from striking under a far-reaching Ohio Senate bill that is likely to spark strong opposition from labor unions. Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee Chair Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, also wants to change how professors get evaluated (both before and after tenure) and how all faculty at Ohio's 14 public universities and 23 community colleges negotiate their contracts. Senate Bill 83 would add campus workers to the list of public employees who aren't allowed to strike. Currently, first responders and corrections officers aren't permitted.”

All Eyes on California as Fast-Food Workers Rights Land on the 2024 Ballot

"The state’s landmark law giving fast-food workers a greater voice was set to start in January—until opponents stalled it with a ballot referendum."

Two Trains Derail in Washington and Arizona Rising Rail Safety Concerns 

“Cause of the incidents remains unknown even as teams head to Washington State to clean spilled diesel on tribal land."

Metro Phoenix Inflation Rate Dips to 8.5% But Still Is Among Nation's Hotsports

New Teachers College Initiative Headed By Former AZ Superintendent of Public Instruction 

“Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman has joined ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College to lead a new Learning Futures Collaborative that addresses challenges and examines the future of education for children with disabilities.

RNs Gathered Monday on Tucson's Eastside to Advocate for Safer Standards

“Hospital officials told News 4 Tucson, that they do not agree with the nurses' comments and they insist they are appropriately staffed and are hiring. Some nurses said otherwise. Nurses let the voices be heard on the sidewalk Monday morning. They held up signs to highlight what they are going through while trying to save lives."

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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  Communications & Operations Director Alina Cordoba at [email protected]