John,

📍WINDOW ROCK - Labor Union Fair

Hosted by the NAL-NiSHii Federation of Labor

Date: August 4, 2025

📌RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/aflcio/event/818248/ 

Curious about unions or want to learn how union apprenticeships can kick-start your career? This fair is for you! Meet union leaders and explore career pathways. Whether you’re a student, job seeker, or supporter, come find out why it’s better in a union—especially for Indigenous working families across the Navajo Nation. 

📍PHOENIX - Press Event & Roundtable 

Hosted by AFSCME

Date: August 6, 2025

📌RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/afscmewesternregion/event/815972/  

The event will take place at the NALC Branch 576, with a discussion aimed at holding Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-01) and Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) accountable for failing to support their constituents. We are excited to announce that special guest speakers, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Senator Mark Kelly, will be in attendance!

📍TUCSON - Roundtable Discussion 

Hosted by Pima Area Labor Federation 

Date: August 8, 2025

📌RSVP here: https://mobilize.us/s/VtylEp  

At our final Arizona stop, we’ll come together at IBEW 570 to hold Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-02) accountable for turning his back on working families. Union members from across Southern Arizona will speak out against cuts to essential services and demand the freedom to organize, defend our programs, and win dignity on the job. When we stand united, our voices are powerful—and impossible to ignore.

This bus tour is about building power, demanding accountability, and reminding every politician that workers are watching. I hope to see you there. 

In Solidarity, 

Fred Yamashita

Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO

Families First with SEIU and Friends in Phoenix, AZ!

On July 26, Americans in every corner of the country will come together in peaceful marches, rallies, and actions to say: our families come first—not billionaires, not authoritarians, and not corrupt politicians.

From rural towns to major cities, Families First actions will bring people together to collectively demand an end to policies that harm children, seniors, and our families. We reject the Administration's actions that have gutted essential programs like Medicaid, FEMA, food stamps, school lunches, and more, all so a handful of billionaires can get tax giveaways.

Working Women's Back to School Backpack Drive

TWU 555 & 556 Working Women's Committee & Civil Human Rights Committee is hosting a back to school backpack drive! They are looking for donations to fill backpacks that will be given to local nonprofits.

They are now accepting donations from the public. You can click on the link below to view their wishlist ⤵️ 

If you are not a TWU Member, you can drop off all donations to the Arizona AFL-CIO. Please contact our Communications Director, Alina Cordoba at (480) 370-4511 to schedule a time to come by! 

AZ AFL-CIO's 13th Annual Labor Day Lunch

You are cordially invited to this year's Labor Day Luncheon with the theme, "It's Our Time: Standing in Solidarity."

Event Details:

🗓️Friday, August 29, 2025

📍Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, 7767 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020

⏰Program Begins @ 11:00 AM

👚Attire: Business Casual

Ticket Prices & Sponsorship Options:

• Individual Tickets: $150

• Solidarity Sponsor: $12,000

• Unity Sponsor: $6,000

• Ally Sponsor: $3,000 

🎥 Want to see what last year’s luncheon was all about?
Explore the 2024 virtual program, highlights, and honorees here:
👉 View the 2024 Labor Day Luncheon Site

CALL: Sign the Discharge Petition and Pass the Protect America's Workforce Act

We need every American who cares about the fundamental freedom to join a union to make their voice heard. Call your member of Congress and tell them to speak out and take action to stop Trump’s executive order targeting workers’ right to join a union.

Central Texas Flood Resources & How to Help

As Texans recover from the recent floods, the Texas AFL-CIO has compiled a list of resources for the affected counties for both union members and the general public. Thank you to all of our emergency responders for their work during this crisis.

Please follow local officials for the latest information.

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. 

📖The July Book of the Month: Augustus by John Williams

Read along with us ⤵️

The Trump Administration Is Trying to Silence Us. It's Only Making Us Stronger

"Under normal circumstances, Army Corps workers could appeal the president's actions to the agency tasked with safeguarding our collective bargaining rights, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). But the president created chaos at the agency when he fired the Chair, Susan Tsui Grundmann. Now the FLRA is refusing to hear our case challenging these decisions, which also means we have no access to federal courts to resolve our disagreement."

It's Better in a Union! Liz Shuler on the Power of the People

"Early this month, the AFL-CIO launched the ‘Better in a Union Bus Tour’ where union leaders and members will be traveling to stops in 26 states across the country in order to amplify workers’ voices."

New AFL-CIO Report: Nation's Top CEOs Made 285 Times Workers' Pay in 2024

"The AFL-CIO is sounding the alarm on how President Trump and wealthy CEOs are cutting each other deals at working people’s expense as part of year-round organizing. The “It’s Better in a Union” nationwide bus tour is mobilizing workers to fight for their right to organize and collectively bargain, taking back power and leveling the playing field between them and the wealthy CEOs that this administration is governing for."

Brighton Starbucks Baristas Win Their Union, Joining National Surge

"Soldiers Field Starbucks is the 22nd in Massachusetts and the 18th in the Boston area where employees have won a union."

'It's a madhouse': US State Department Workers Reeling After Trump's Firings

"About 3,000 workers have left the agency through firings and buyouts in a move Democrats and staff call 'unlawful.'"

'United' WNBA All-Stars Wear 'Pay Us What You Owe Us' Shirts

"The fans echoed the message players sent during warmups Saturday night when they wore black shirts that read "Pay Us What You Owe Us." The collective demonstration occurred two days after more than 40 players met with the league in the latest round of collective bargaining agreement negotiations. The players didn't think the meeting produced enough progress with a late October deadline looming."

Writers Guild Calls for Investigation After 'Late Show' Cancellation, Citing Bribery Concerns

"The East and West Coast Branches of the union conveyed concerns that the move may be 'sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump Administration'"

Phoenix Cannabis Dispensary Violated Labor Law by Firing Unionizer, Federal Judge Orders

"In a July 22 directive, National Labor Relations Board Judge Mara-Louise Anzalone ordered Curaleaf Dispensary Midtown to rehire Nickolas Fredrickson and compensate him for lost income, other employment benefits and tax liabilities incurred. The judge's decision found the Midtown location violated the National Labor Relations Act by firing Fredrickson."

Senate President Sues to Eliminate Tax Credits for Filmmakers

"In a new legal brief, Senate President Warren Petersen contends the 2022 law that sets aside up to $125 million a year in “refundable tax credits” runs afoul of the Arizona Constitution. He says the way the law is structured makes those credits effectively a gift of public funds."

Sen. Gallego Asks Kroger to Rethink Move That Will Lay Off Tolleson Truckers

"Gallego sent a letter on July 22 to senior executives of Kroger Co., which owns Fry’s Food Stores and other supermarkets, urging the company to reconsider its decision to end a trucking contract that union officials feared might put around 130 Arizonans out of work. The terminated contract was with Ruan Transport Corp., which was among several employers filing Arizona layoff notices in July."

Arizona AG Sues Federal Government Over Cuts to Meals on Wheels, Head Start, Other Programs

"That means the more than 15,000 children and 13,000 families who use Head Start in Arizona, the more than 35,000 Arizonans who get health care at community health centers and all Arizonans who benefit from the 2.5 million meals from Meals on Wheels would be impacted by cuts to the services, Mayes’ office said."

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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]