11 Nov 23rd–Nov 29th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | course, Arizona citizens that this is indeed worth changing the constitution,” he told Arizona’s Family in September. “Because this isn’t just changing a statute. This is something that is part of the Arizona constitution.” Organizers look to return state to union roots Although Arizona’s constitution includes what critics describe as “anti-union” laws, organized labor played a critical role in the early days of the state. It joined the U.S. in 1912 at the tail end of America’s progressive movement, which fought for better working conditions and greater worker protection. George W.P. Hunt, Arizona’s first governor who held office for a total of 14 years, was a former mine worker and notably pro-union. Mining unions organized strikes across the state during World War I when copper was in high demand for the war effort, according to the Arizona Historical Society. With the approval of President Woodrow Wilson, the striking miners were kidnapped, taken to New Mexico in cattle cars and warned not to go back to Arizona. In 1946, the legislature put “right-to- work” legislation in the state’s constitution. “In a way, we are carrying on the legacy of early Arizona politics by fighting to appeal ‘right-to-work’ laws and create an affirmative right to organize in its place,” Nichols said at the press conference. With high inflation crunching workers, unions are on the rise around the country and in Arizona. That includes medical, cannabis, airport, hospitality and trade workers. “Arizona workers are not asking for the world, all they’re asking for is a living wage, basic benefits and the freedom to join a union,” De Los Santos said. “I am proud to fight alongside Arizona’s workers who simply want to earn enough to own a home of their own and to be able to retire with some dignity and respect.” Aguilar, a Democrat from Phoenix, told New Times that as a ranking member of the House Commerce Committee, he’s seen more money from President Biden’s manu- facturing laws making its way to Arizona to build new facilities. To receive that funding, businesses were required to pay workers acceptable wages and provide benefits. “There are union workers building these huge facilities, making great money right now,” said Aguilar. But he added that a problem may be on the horizon: Unless the state repeals “right-to-work” laws, union workers likely won’t be working in those facilities. Even Michael Kintscher of United Campus Workers Arizona, a public univer- sity union that represents students, staff and faculty, spoke in favor of the measure despite the fact that “right-to-work” laws target the private sector. “The overwhelming majority of our students will go on to hold private sector jobs after they leave university. These students will be entering the workforce with the unprecedented financial burden thrust upon them by the university leader- ship and the Arizona Board of Regents continuing to raise tuition and fees,” Kintscher said. (Clockwise from top) State Rep. Leezah Sun; Robert Nichols, chair of Arizona Works Together; and Michael McQuarrie, director of ASU’s Center for Work and Democracy, spoke at the Oct. 25 press conference. (Photos by TJ L’Heureux) Right-to-Work? from p 9
