John

One of the more iconic images in recent labor history is of Norma Rae holding up a sign that simply said, "UNION," while standing on a table in the mill where she was being fired from. If you’re of my generation, you instantly recognize the image as a scene from the movie Norma Rae, portrayed by actress Sally Fields and released in 1979. The film itself has become synonymous with unions. The real- life Norma Rae was Crystal Lee Sutton, who passed away on September 11, 2009 at age 68.

Sutton was one of the union activists during the J.P. Stevens controversy. Stevens, a company that owned seven textile mills in North Carolina and operated with impunity regarding the violation of labor laws and abusing their employees, As the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) conducted a union organizing campaign from 1963 to 1980, union activists were continually harassed and terminated resulting in a boycott called by the union, of Stevens and companies that dealt with Stevens. These ‘corporate’ campaigns, as they are known, can be effective, but what touches and moves people is the actual fight that workers have to wage against abusive employers. And that is what Crystal Lee

Sutton did—fight back!

In 1973, Sutton saw a union poster hanging in one of the mills in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, where generations of her family had worked in the mills, living in company housing, earning paltry wages, and only existing but never getting ahead. She wanted something better for her children and became a union activist at the mill. In early 1978, Sutton was fired for trying to organize workers at Stevens. Shortly after, in August 1978, the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union began to represent workers at the plant. In the midst of threats and abuse, Sutton was fired by Stevens, and when they told her to leave, she took a piece of cardboard and wrote ‘UNION’ and held it up for all of her co-workers to see. The shop fell silent as she turned in a circle, standing on her work table and holding the sign above her head. Some of her co-workers gave her the victory sign as a show of support.

After a challenging period of being looked down upon by the company and even friends and family for going against the company, Sutton became a union organizer for the ACTWU. After the plant she worked in was organized, it took a couple of years to achieve their first contract, thanks in large part to a coalition of black and white women union members in the plant.

Sutton would go on to take part in a national speaking tour as the ‘real Norma Rae’ and in 1980 became the 13th recipient of the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award.

Regarding the iconic scene of Norma Rae holding the "UNION" sign over her head in the factory, I believe it’s important to note that it was very reminiscent of labor icon Dolores Huerta holding up a sign over her head that said "HUELGA" during the grape boycott in 1965.

Whether it’s Crystal Lee Sutton or Dolores Huerta, they have been a part of the rich history of Women Labor Leaders, for whom we are forever indebted!

Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, December 22). Crystal Lee Sutton. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Lee_Sutton

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Join the Institute for Women's Policy Research Virtual Event

The manufacturing sector provides good jobs with family-supporting wages and benefits, which do not require four-year degrees. More women should hold these jobs.

Register to discuss the policies needed to create fait equitable access to good production jobs in manufacturing. All workers should be part of this growing workforce.

When: Tuesday, March 28, Noon ET

Where: Virtually

Free Waiver for All Student Workers at ASU, NAU, and UA

Sign UCW Arizona's petition in support of a fee waiver for all student workers at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona. tudent workers make up a large portion of the researchers, graders, housing staff, and instructors across all public university campuses in Arizona. We make the daily functioning of our universities possible. It is unacceptable that, as employees, students at the three public universities of Arizona are being charged between $300 and $1,000 per semester (up to 3 in one year) in student fees.

Employees should not be required to pay to work!

UNITEHERE Local 11 & HTA Hospitality Training Academy Prep Cook Class

The first class launching in Arizona on April 10th. This program invites interested candidates to reach out or stop by UNITE HERE Local 11 Union Hall at 1021 S. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85007 for more information. 

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.

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].

Union of Southern Service Workers Is Organizing Low-Wage Workers Across Industries 

"If you truly want to understand the history of organized labor in this country, you must look to the South — specifically, to what Black workers and other workers of color have accomplished there despite every conceivable obstacle."

'My Name is Cleared': The US Workers Fighting back Against Union 

"Last year, public support for labor unions hit a high unseen since 1965 amid high-profile union campaigns at major corporations including Apple, Amazon, Starbucks, Chipotle, REI and Trader Joe’s. This renewed interest has been accompanied by aggressive opposition from employers: threats, intimidation and what workers allege are retaliatory firings. The backlash seems to be working, but workers and their supporters are fighting back."

Mayor Bass Mediating Ongoing LAUSD Strike; Schools to Remain Closed Thursday

“Los Angeles public schools will remain closed Thursday, the last of a three-day strike, as Mayor Karen Bass stepped in Wednesday to join talks with union and school district leaders to offer “assistance and support,” the district reported. No details were released Wednesday night about the substance of the talks or the status of negotiations between the district and leaders of Local 99 of Service Employees International Union. But in a social media post about 8:30 p.m. the district said it “must formally announce” the school closures."

Starbucks Workers Are on a Nationwide Strike to Protest Union-Busting 

"Workers at more than 100 Starbucks locations across the country went on strike Wednesday to protest the company’s alleged union-busting tactics and demand a contract negotiation. The strike was timed to fall on “Founder’s Day,” a holiday the coffee chain invented to honor three-time CEO Howard Schultz. Schultz announced Monday that he was stepping down from his post two weeks early. He has been replaced by Laxman Narasimhan."

Why There Is Talk of a Writers' Strike in Hollywood 

"Television and movie writers want raises, saying that Hollywood companies have taken unfair advantage of the shift to streaming to devalue their work and create worsening working conditions. The companies bristle at the accusation and say that, while they are willing to negotiate a new “mutually beneficial” deal with writers, the demands for an entirely new compensation structure ignore economic realities. Whether the sides can settle their differences will determine if the entertainment industry can avoid its first writers’ strike in 15 years."

Three St. Paul Labor Unions Avert Authorized Strike with Tentative Agreements for 18-26% Raises

“Three labor unions that had threatened to strike have come to a tentative agreement with the city of St. Paul over wages and other contract matters. The new proposal calls for raises totaling between 18% and 26% over the next three years, with variation depending upon years of service and certifications. The agreement, according to a written statement from Laborers International Union Local 363, includes increased vacation and paid parental leave. ”

The White House Task Force On Worker Organizing & Empowerment: Update on Implementation of Approved Actions

"A guiding principle of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment is the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to worker rights, including the right to a free and fair choice to join a union and to dignity in the workplace. As the President says, “unions built the middle class,” and as we now rebuild America they can help rebuild the middle class in the process. The Task Force, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, submitted over 70 recommendations to the President for tools Executive Branch agencies could use with existing Executive Branch powers, procedures, and practices, in order to reduce barriers to worker organizing and position the federal government as a model employer. President Biden approved all of the recommendations in February 2022."

Arizona Teachers to Speak At State Capitol About Education Retention Crisis

“Dozens of Arizona educators with the Arizona Education Association met at the state Capitol Wednesday to speak out about their experiences with what they describe as the educator retention crisis. They said that every year, thousands of experienced educators leave Arizona or the profession because of what they feel are low wages, underfunded schools, and a lack of respect."

Mobil Home Evictions Moving Forward Following Phoenix Council Vote

Do You Have Insurance Through Medicaid in Arizona? 

“In December 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which set March 31 of this year as an end date for this protection. 

According to the Associated Press, up to 14 million Americans could lose access to Medicaid once states start disenrolling members."

Tucson Starbucks Workers Strike Wednesday

“It is part of a national effort involving over 100 Starbucks stores and more than 2,000 workers. The movement is scheduled just one day before the company's annual shareholder meeting. It comes due to rising controversy over Starbucks' perceived anti-union actions."

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