John, 

This week, we're thrilled to spotlight Shay Blodgett, an unwavering advocate, a proud third-generation union member, and a relentless defender of the rights of working individuals. Born in Michigan, Shay's journey into the labor movement began in the warmth of a union household, where the values of solidarity propelled her into a lifelong commitment to the cause. 

In 1989, Shay ventured to Arizona to pursue her education at Arizona State University, where she laid the academic groundwork for her future endeavors, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1995, she joined the IAM-AW upon employment with Alaska Airlines in Phoenix, AZ, marking the beginning of her impactful journey within the labor movement.

Since 1997, Shay has been deeply engaged in union activities, steadily climbing the ladder of leadership. Serving as a  Shop Steward since 1999. In 2007, Shay took on the crucial role of Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, accumulating a wealth of expertise and earning several esteemed certifications (CEAP, LAP-C, SAP, CCISM).

Shay's unwavering dedication caught the attention of the IAM General Vice President, who personally selected her to contribute to the IAM Transportation Department Critical Incident Response Team in 2017. Throughout her tenure, Shay's dedication has been evident, as she served as Recording Secretary from 2008 to 2013 and resumed the position in 2023. Additionally, she fulfilled the role of local lodge educator from 2016 to 2019, demonstrating her commitment to fostering knowledge and growth within her community.

Originally starting as a member of the local lodge legislative committee, Shay's passion for shaping policies that uplift workers propelled her into leadership roles. Elected as Vice President of the Arizona State Council of Machinists- Transportation, and subsequently ascending to the esteemed position of President, Shay has been instrumental in guiding the council's advocacy efforts. Arizona State Council of Machinists serves as a powerful advocate for labor rights, engaging in crucial state and federal legislative discussions to champion worker-friendly policies. Through their unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of working people, Shay and the council strive to create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

She enjoys getting involved and having a say in the election process. From interviewing and endorsing candidates to meeting with elected officials to discuss matters affecting her membership and all working families, she collaborates closely with the Arizona AFL-CIO, and its Area Labor Federations (MALF & PALF), on all matters affecting labor.

When she's not standing up for the rights of her fellow workers, you'll find Shay exploring new destinations and spending time with her loyal rescue dog, Roxie. So join us in celebrating Shay Blodgett, a shining example of what it means to lead with heart and purpose in the fight for a fairer, brighter future for all.

In solidarity,

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

1st Annual Arizona Cesar E. Chavez + Dolores Huerta March & Rally and Car Show

The Arizona César E. Chávez + Dolores Huerta Holiday Coalition invites you to join! Gather at 8:30 AM at Pueblo High School to march at 9 AM where you will end at Rudy Garcia for a Rally with speakers, music, tabling, and food! 

They will also be hosting their first-ever car show and raffle!  Support their fundraiser by buying a raffle ticket and voting for your favorite car. If that car wins, your name will be drawn for a raffle prize! All proceeds go towards their first ever Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Scholarship! 

There will be shuttles from Garcia Park to the march site from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM if you wish to leave your car at the destination.

Protect Tipped Workers: Oppose SCR 1040 NOW! 

Tipped workers across Arizona face a critical threat to their livelihoods, and they urgently need your support. SCR 1040 poses a grave danger, casting a shadow over the financial security of these hardworking individuals.

In 2016, voters approved The Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act (Proposition 206), a vital step toward ensuring fair treatment for all workers, including tipped employees.SCR 1040 now looms, potentially eroding the hard-won progress of fair compensation for workers.

We urge you to take action now by writing to your legislators. Stand in solidarity with tipped workers by opposing the SCR 1040. Your voice matters, and together, we can protect the rights and dignity of hardworking individuals who rely on tips to make ends meet.

Tell Law360 to Stop Breaking the Law 

Last Friday, LexisNexis-owned Law360 unlawfully laid off 26 of our coworkers – roughly 10% of our newsroom! This is appalling behavior from a company whose brand is built on covering the law. Today, we’re walking out to hold management accountable for their unlawful actions against their own workers. Join us in demanding that management reinstate our co-workers and bargain any job cuts as part of a complete contract.

Retirement Advisers Should Be Required to Act in Customers' Best Interests

Hardworking Americans lose billions of dollars every year from bad retirement advice, and unbelievably, retirement advisers are not required to act in their customers' best interests. 

Your House and Senate members are hearing from the Wall Street smear machine, but they need to hear from working people like you. Will you take two minutes to call your members and urge them to support a strong fiduciary rule? 

Protect Unemployment Benefits in Arizona- Say NO to HB2592

A concerning bill that threatens unemployment benefits to Arizonans. HB2592 proposes cutting the number of benefit weeks for unemployment insurance (UI) recipients in Arizona. If passed, this bill will amplify housing instability, hunger, and economic insecurity. 

Write your Representative today uring them to vote NO on HB2592. 

Arizona AFL-CIO Building Bridges: Free Citizenship Fair 

Join us in facilitating the process of obtaining citizenship for the more than 200,000 eligible Arizonans! The Arizona AFL-CIO is proud to offer the first Citizenship Fair in which applicants will be helped in the process of completing their paperwork and submitting their applications with the help of our amazing Labor affiliates and community partners. Please feel free to share and distribute this flyer and/or information about this Citizenship fair to potentially interested members/individuals/communities! 

2024 Legislative Committee Meeting Alerts - AZ AFL-CIO 

Join us every Friday at 9:30 AM via Zoom to get updates and alerts on the 2nd Regular Session of the 56th Legislature. Click on the button below and complete the form. 

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

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].

I'm A Trans Teenager. Why Can't GOP Lawmakers Focus on Real Problems, Not Where I Go Pee? 

"The data shows that LGBTQ students who experience discrimination — the same types of discrimination these politicians are trying to write into law — are more likely to miss school, have lower GPAs and are less likely to graduate. Our elected officials should care about those issues, and about helping the LGBTQ community, not targeting us."

The Most Important Labor Story Right Now Is in Minnesota - It Might Be the Model We All Need

"A strategic alignment of major networks of unions and community groups in Minnesota have worked together for more than a decade to leverage their collective power."

AFL-CIO Applauds Biden Administration's Rule to Protect Workers by Banning Use of Chrysotile Asbestos

"Today’s groundbreaking rule by the EPA is the first final rule to protect workers under the amended Toxic Substance Control Act. This action once more shows the deep commitment of the Biden administration to ensure working people remain safe and healthy on the job."

VW Workers Seek Union Vote at Tennessee Plan for Third Time 

"Volkswagen employees in Tennessee who are hoping to join the United Automobile Workers asked a federal agency on Monday to hold an election, a key step toward the union’s longtime goal of organizing nonunion factories across the South. The union said Volkswagen workers had filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board asking for a unionization vote after a “supermajority” of the 4,000 eligible workers at the plant had signed cards supporting the U.A.W."

Employees Have A Legal Right to Express Support for Black Lives Matter at Work, Thanks to the NLRB 

"A year after George Floyd’s murder, a poll found that 68% of Americans thought that employees ‘should be able to discuss racial justice issues at work.’"

'When Women Succeed, America Will Succeed' Roundtable Highlights Upward Mobility for Women in Charlotte 

"Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su visited the Queen City to discuss the importance of ensuring women are able to grow in their careers."

Unionized Editorial Workers at Law360 Halt Work for 24 Hours After Colleagues Laid Off 

"Just a month ago, LexisNexis executives congratulated themselves on the company achieving its highest revenue growth in decades. The same day, management announced they would lay off 26 members of the Law360 Union."

Valley Metro Light Rail Workers to Receive Over $600K in Back Wages. 

“Some 227 people who worked on the Valley Metro Light Rail will share in more than $607,000 in back wages after a division of the federal Department of Labor found that subcontractors misclassified the workers' employment status."

Restaurants Want to Amend the AZ Constitution So They Can Pay Servers Less 

“'Sky Harbor airport food workers have been striking over wages, pensions and benefits. Most airport workers make less than $25 an hour, according to the union representing them, and the estimated cost to afford a two-bedroom apartment in the Greater Phoenix area is approximately $33.46 an hour, according to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition."

President Joe Biden to Announce $8.5B for Intel Semiconductor Manufacturing

"According to the Biden Administration, leading-edge chips are essential to advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, and the latest proposal would help to ensure that more of these semiconductors are developed and made in the U.S., while also creating well-paying jobs."

Phoenix to Honor Late Activist with Street Sign 

"While living with severe arthritis, Vernell Myers Coleman raised four children in the city’s Matthew Henson Housing Project. In the 1960s, she helped form a tenants council and rent strike to force the city to improve living conditions. Mayor Kate Gallego noted that Coleman organized a Juneteenth celebration in 1968 that’s continued ever since."

Last Friday we join AARA to honor Women's History Month by celebrating women from UFCW Local 99, Unite Here Local 11, and APFA who represent front-line workers! 

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  Communications & Operations Director Alina Cordoba at [email protected]