john,

“Your presence on the ground during this critical fight sent a powerful message, not just to our members but also to the company and the broader labor movement: when workers are under attack, we show up for one another.

Strikes are never easy—they test our strength, our unity, and sometimes even our hope. But when someone like you shows up with open arms, a strong voice, and a kind heart, it lifts us all. You reminded our team what true unionism looks like: showing up, speaking out, and supporting each other no matter how far the distance or how tough the fight.

You brought more than supplies—you brought morale, unity, and inspiration. For many of our newer members who had never experienced a strike before, your actions helped them understand what solidarity truly means. You helped reinforce that UFCW isn’t just a union—it’s a family that spans states and boundaries.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You reminded us what it means to be union strong—not just in words, but in action.”

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Tell Governor Hobbs: Thank You for Prioritizing Arizona's Families

Governor Katie Hobbs signed a bipartisan state budget that avoided a government shutdown and delivers real wins for working families. Despite intense political standoffs, Hobbs remained focused on protecting public services and uplifting communities.

Governor Hobbs delivered a clear message: Arizona’s future will be built by and for the working families. Sign your name today to say thank you.

Tell T-Mobile: Stop Funding Musk

In July, T-Mobile will launch its “T-Satellite” program in partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. Musk, who is the wealthiest person in the world, stands to gain billions from this deal.

Musk is using the influence he bought to try and siphon public funds from high-quality broadband built out by CWA members into Starlink. Our communities need more good union jobs and high-speed fiber internet, not unreliable satellite internet

We’re holding billionaires like Elon Musk and companies like T-Mobile accountable for the damage they are doing to our jobs and our communities. Join us by signing our petition to tell T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert and the company’s Board of Directors to stop financing Musk’s anti-worker crusade and ditch their deal with him.

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].

AZ AFL-CIO's Book Club: A New Chapter Begins!

We're back—and better than ever! The Arizona AFL-CIO Labor Book Club is now formatted as an end-of-the-month book review, offering fresh perspectives on thought-provoking reads that resonate with our movement. 

📖This Month's Book Review: Stoner by John Williams

Check out this week's review, written by Esau Gutierrez, for a deeper dive: 

🚨 Join the Last Legislative Committee Meeting

Join us on Friday, July 11th at 9:30 AM via Zoom as we wrap up the 1st Regular Session of the 57th Legislature. 

Letting Rural Health Care Bleed Out

"When Marketa Anderson’s daughter sustained injuries in a car crash, an ambulance rushed her to the emergency department at Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing, Minn., for care. Anderson’s mother likewise received skilled, compassionate treatment at the hospital while battling cancer, the facility’s close proximity to her home making the fight a little more bearable."

Marsha Botzer's Journey Through Gender, Labor, and Liberation

"Marsha Botzer was born in Seattle in 1947. One of her earliest memories was the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, where she encountered people of many different cultures and ethnicities. Here, she caught a small glimpse of the world beyond the quiet confines of her calm, sheltered upbringing."

University of Alaska Staff Flies Petition to Form Union

"Their union, CAUSE-UAW (Coalition of Alaska University Employees for Equity / United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America) would represent the 2,500 staff statewide at the University of Alaska. The coalition stated in a prepared release that university staff “provide support and continuity to faculty and students” through advising, enrollment support, financial aid, coaching, and healthcare, among other support avenues."

Thousands of City Workers Go On Strike in Philadelphia, Affecting Trash Pickup, Pools and 911 Calls

"Striking city workers waved signs at traffic near Philadelphia City Hall and formed picket lines outside libraries, city offices and other workplaces as nearly 10,000 blue-collar workers walked off the job Tuesday. Seeking better pay and benefits, District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees announced the strike on its Facebook page early Tuesday."

SPEEA Efforts Help Bring Back 58 Laid-off Employees

"The agreement comes after SPEEA filed a grievance and a request for arbitration regarding at least two violations of the union’s contracts. The first violation was related to the non-disclosure of the use of a particular kind of non-Boeing Labor - Industry Assist - as is required by the contracts. The second violation covered the layoff of represented employees while retaining Industry Assist personnel performing the same work."

Workers Employed at the Gotham Cannabis Dispensary in Brooklyn 'Go Union,' Join RWDSU/UFCW Local 338

"The election, supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), brings Union representation to 25 Workers at the popular Brooklyn location."

Disabled Amazon Workers in Corporate Jobs Allege 'Systemic Discrimination'

"Disabled corporate workers at Amazon have accused the company of engaging in “systemic discrimination”, aggressively quashing their attempts to organize, and using artificial intelligence systems that they allege do not comply with US disability laws."

Hobbs Signs Bipartisan Budget, Ending Weeks-Long Standoff and Staving Off Shutdown

"The budget is almost exactly the same as the one Hobbs negotiated with the Senate, which House Republicans refused to put up for a vote last week. After Hobbs vetoed the House’s two budget proposals on June 25, the chamber passed the Senate budget on June 26 with minor tweaks."

Honoring the Granite Mountain Hotshots Lost in Yarnell Hill Fire 12 Years Later

"Monday marks the 12th anniversary since 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. Only one person of the 20-man crew survived, having been separated from the team earlier in the day. It was the worst disaster for U.S. firefighters since the terrorist attacks on 9/11."

Arizona Senators Vote to Protect Clean Energy Jobs and Lower Energy Costs for Arizona Families

"Local organizations across Arizona thank U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego for voting against the bill, but warn that, if it becomes law, it would seriously harm working families and businesses while derailing Arizona’s progress in clean energy and economic development. It would raise Arizonans’ utility bills by cutting clean energy incentives that help lower energy costs, making it harder for Arizona families and businesses to keep up with rising living expenses, especially during extreme heat. At the same time, the bill would add an estimated $3.8 trillion to the national debt by handing billions in tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and large corporations."

Arizona AFL-CIO Endorses Adelita Grijalva for Congress

"The endorsement adds to a growing wave of support for Grijalva’s campaign from labor unions and progressive organizations across Arizona. She has earned the most endorsements from labor unions of any candidate in the AZ-07 race. You can view a full list of her endorsements here."

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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]