AZ Leg. Committee to Younger Workers - "You're Not Worth It"

In 2006 a grass root coalition made up of labor, civic, community, and religious leaders formed the “Arizona Minimum Wage Coalition.” Chaired by Rebekah Friend, Executive Director of the AZ AFL-CIO, the coalition canvassed the state, gathered over 200,000 signatures and placed Proposition 202- The Minimum Wage Initiative on the ballot.

Arizona voters went to the polls and declared with a loud and progressive voice that working Arizonans deserve to be paid a sufficient minimum wage and overwhelmingly passed Prop 202.

New Year Resolutions For a Labor Activist

 

New Year's Day is the perfect time for looking forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make - and resolve to follow through on those changes. Here are a few of my New Year's Resolutions::

• I will remember that a Labor Activist thinks and acts globally as well as locally.

  "Without labor nothing prospers.".        Popular banner  

More Action Needed For Arizona Working Families

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to attend a roundtable discussion with Vice President Joe Biden on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and its impact on Arizona working families.

Biden highlighted the administration's achievements in implementing the provisions of the Recovery Act as well as acknowledging the economic difficulties still facing Arizona and the rest of the country.

FMLA For Flight Attendants

Three cheers to Flight Attendants and Pilots in their successful grassroots' lobbying efforts to finally secure the same job protections afforded other working families under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

Earlier this year, the U.S. House passed H.R. 912 and on Tuesday, November 10th the U.S. Senate passed S.1422 The Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act. The two chambers of Congress will now meet to resolve some minor differences in the bills and then send it on for President Obama to officially sign it into law.

More on Labor Day

Labor Day 2009

"just my thoughts on it and some appreciation”  by Michael Broadhead

I woke up today thinking about the fact that it is Labor Day. I began to think about all things that are in my life due to those who work in “labor”. Very quickly the list was several pages long. I was amazed at how quickly I had just taken it all for granted, the houses, condos, apartments, streets, sidewalks, airplanes, the nations defense, trains, buses, cars, food, water, electricity, hotels, pools, bridges, stadiums, clothing, bars, office buildings, shopping areas, sidewalks, airports and the list just went on and on. We certainly would have nothing that we take for granted and use everyday had it not been for those willing to work in labor. I am in deep appreciation for all labor workers-and I thank every single one of you!

A Friend Indeed!

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 - DANA HEADING FOR A RUN OFF

Our friend Dana Kennedy ran a great campaign and will face District 6 incumbent Sal DiCiccio in a Nov. run off
 

Make no mistake about it Dana Kennedy is a friend of Flight Attendants. That is why it is important for Flight Attendants living in Phoenix's 6th District to help elect her to the Phoenix City Council this September.

I have worked closely with Dana in her role as AZ AFL-CIO Communications Director for a number of years and in that role she effectively communicated to the media and the labor community our fight with US Airways for a fair contract. She has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in picket lines. She is the real deal!

Compromising on Fundamentals is Surely Surrender

In the name of "compromise" moderate Democrats in the U.S. Senate today chucked the "free choice" out of the Employee Free Choice Act abandoning a fundamental provision of the legislation important to working families.

FMLA Protections for Flight Attendants Back On Track

Yesterday, (July 9), Senator Patty Murray (WA) introduced Senate Bill 1422, The Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act. This bill will clarify the original intent of Congress to include flight attendants and pilots in the protections afforded other workers by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

The Family and Medical Leave Act provides working families across America with the ability to take unpaid time off from work to care for themselves or family members who are facing serious illness, as well as other qualifying events. The law has been a lifeline for over 60 million working men and women, protecting their jobs while they attend to family priorities.

Beware The Liars and The Lies They Tell

 

The Republican controlled Arizona legislature has once again kowtowed to Big Business and its goal of impeding workers rights to organize and bargain collectively for better pay, benefits and working conditions.

The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight

In less than 48 hours Arizona could face a government shutdown as the backroom budget deal crafted by Republican legislators and Governor Brewer finds waning support on the Right and no support on the Left.