The Arizona AFL-CIO is kicking-off its Labor 2010 political program this month! Check back here for weekly updates on our progress.

Brothers and Sisters,

We were pleased to see that an overwhelming majority of Arizona AFL-CIO endorsed candidates won their primary elections on Tuesday and will now be making their case to voters before the November general election.

Tough fights lie ahead, however. Attorney General Terry Goddard is taking on Jan Brewer in the race for Governor, a race of tremendous importance to Arizona's working families. While Brewer has been in office, we've seen a slew of anti-worker bills and devastating cuts to education signed by her.  Please commit to working for the election of pro-working families candidates like Goddard in November and help change our state for the better.

The Labor 2010 Newsletter is below. Be sure to check out the upcoming events, labor news and info on volunteer opportunities below.

In solidarity,
Rebekah Friend
Executive Director, Secretary/Treasurer
Arizona AFL-CIO

Labor 2010 Newsletter

1. News
2. Upcoming Events
3. Get Active! Volunteer Opportunities

Union News

Primary Election Recap

In yesterday's Primary Election, the overwhelming majority of Arizona AFL-CIO endorsed candidates won their races with the votes and the hard work of Arizona's union members. 82% of Arizona AFL-CIO endorsed candidates in contested primaries made their way to the general election, and, overall, 94% of the labor federation's slate won.

"This outcome shows the power and strength of labor at the polls," said Rebekah Friend, Executive Director of the Arizona AFL-CIO. "Thank you to all the brothers and sisters who walked, talked, phoned, contributed and voted. It's a testament to the quality of our endorsed candidates that union members are so fired up about this election."

Anti-Union Proposition 113 Headed to Voters this November

On August 11th, the Republican leadership in the Arizona Legislature referred the anti-union Proposition 113 to voters, an attempt to silence the voices of working Arizonans. Governor Brewer called a special session to pass the measure, leaving more pressing needs like crowded classrooms and a weak job market unaddressed.

Employees deserve a free and fair path to forming a union at their workplace, but Proposition 113 would put the interests of the employer over the voices of working Arizonans. Currently, when employees seek to form a union, the employer can choose to call for an election or agree to recognize the union when a majority of employees have signed cards of interest-a process known as majority sign-up, or "card check." Proposition 113 would ban this fair and democratic alternative, locking in place election rules that are tilted steeply towards the employer.

In a truly democratic election, both sides should be able to make their case to voters. However, National Labor Relations Board union elections are nothing like the elections most people know, and Proposition 113 would keep the awful status quo in place. The ballot measure would mandate rules that allow for employer intimidation, misinformation and firing of union supporters, despite purportedly protecting the "secret ballot." Decades of history have shown that no employee has a free and fair choice on union representation when the employer has threatened to close a plant or layoff workers if the union wins.

Vote NO on Proposition 113 this November and say NO MORE to the Republican leadership and Governor Brewer who put this anti-worker measure on the ballot.

Alliance for Retired Americans & Congresspersons Celebrate 75 Years of Social Security

The Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans recently hosted a "birthday party" to celebrate 75 years of Social Security with Congressman Raúl Grijalva and 200 Tucson seniors.

Pictures from AARA's "Birthday Party" for Social Security
with Congressman Raul Grijalva.
For more pictures, visit the AARA's Facebook Page.

The event came as a new report showed that Social Security continues to work, even in rough economic times, to provide a stable source of income to retirees and others. Social Security also pumps nearly $13 billion into Arizona's economy every year, benefiting 1 out of every 6 people in the state.

On the occasion of 75 years of Social Security, Arizona AFL-CIO endorsed Congressional candidates vowed to protect the program from misguided cuts. Said Congressman Harry Mitchell (CD5), "It is essential that we maintain and strengthen Social Security. The volatility of the investment markets during the recent economic crisis has demonstrated how dangerous efforts to privatize social security could be."

Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (CD1) also ruled out risky privatization, and said "We should have an honest debate about every serious option to improve the program - but these changes cannot and should not put Arizona seniors at risk. I will battle every step of the way to stop plans that gamble with Social Security, and in this recession everyone knows [privatization] is a huge gamble." Candidate Jon Hulburd (CD3) also vowed to defend Social Security against misguided cuts.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (CD8) recently slammed her opponent Jesse Kelly's plans to eliminate the program as well. Rep. Giffords has also sponsored a bill to provide one-time payments of $250 to seniors if there is no automatic cost-of-living adjustment in 2011. The payments would help seniors and other Social Security beneficiaries cope with health care costs that have continued to increase in the last year.

Labor Day - September 6th

Labor Day is just around the corner. This year, we'll honor the contributions of America's workers and call on elected leaders to continue pushing for Good Jobs Now. On your day off, join us at events in Phoenix or Tucson to mark the occasion.

Get Active! Volunteer Opportunities

We're looking for volunteers! Reaching out to other union members about the election is fun and helps deliver real results for working families in the state. To volunteer, contact one of our Field Directors in Maricopa or Pima County.