Protesting outside of an Amazon warehouse on May 1, International Workers Day, has become an tradition for Tucson labor unions. Organized by the Pima Area Labor Federation (PALF), the 2023 event drew about 50 protesters on a blustery day. AFL-CIO Organizing Specialist Ryan Kelly highlighted many union organizing accomplishments in the past year.
This video includes the speeches from several Tucson union leaders. It was heartening to see so many young people rising in the ranks of a revived union movement in the US. (My apologies for the wind and the street noise.)
Speakers in order of appearance:
0:46 Ryan Kelly, Organizing Specialist, Arizona AFL-CIO (Kelly updates everyone with local union accomplishments in between speakers.)
3:14 Duncan Sohn Hasman, Member of AFT-AZACTSÂ
Organizing Teacher from BASIS Tucson North
7:02 Erica Prather, Member of OPEIU Local 2-Defenders United
Wrongfully fired for organizing by Defenders of Wildlife, won her NLRB case
16:30 Evan Tuohy, Vice President
Tucson Federation of Musicians – AFM Local 33
26:06 Jim Byrne, President-Elect, Tucson Education AssociationÂ