Building Solidarity: Arizona's Labor 2026 Blitz Connects Workers and Amplifies Voices

Arizona just wrapped up its Labor 2026 Blitz campaign, a nationwide effort grounded in the idea that the most powerful connections are member-to-member conversations. The Maricopa Area Labor Federation (MALF) in Phoenix and the Pima Area Labor Federation (PALF) in Tucson worked to connect union volunteers with union households, listen to workers’ concerns, and strengthen solidarity.

Volunteer outreach was focused in Arizona’s 1st and 6th Congressional districts through phone banking and canvassing conversations on voting, costs of living, and heat safety protections for Arizona workers. Together, we made thousands of calls and knocked on hundreds of doors, engaging working people on issues affecting our everyday lives. 

During the MALF Blitz, volunteers were joined by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. Special thanks to AFSCME Local 2960 and IBEW Local 640 for opening their union halls to support this effort. In Tucson, PALF volunteers were joined by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Ward 5 Councilwoman Selina Barajas. Thank you to IBEW Local 570 for hosting the Tucson program. 

Throughout the blitz, cost of living concerns overwhelmingly drove conversations with union households, especially around groceries, housing affordability, and low wages. Volunteers also heard from voters about current political and economic conditions, and these issue-based conversations created opportunities for longer and more meaningful conversations with union members. 

Among the key findings from the campaign: 

• 63% of union households shared concerns about the rising cost of living 
• 92% expressed support for heat safety policies that protect Arizona workers in increasingly dangerous temperatures. 

For many volunteers, the campaign was about solidarity, listening, showing up, and educating fellow union members. “As a retiree, programs like Medicare are deeply personal to me,” Gene Fisher, USW Retiree, said. “This campaign was an opportunity to connect directly with union households, listen to their concerns, and encourage participation in the upcoming election. Our communities need leaders and programs that support working people and retirees alike, and these conversations reminded me how important it is that union members continue to stand together and make our voices heard.” 

Both on the phone and at the doors, “People were approachable and friendly,” said Angel Lucena, Treasurer of IUPAT Local 86. “No matter their politics, as working people in Arizona, so many of us are facing the same struggles. Inflation came up in almost every conversation, and it’s something we can all relate to. It meant a lot to connect with fellow union members, show that we care about our brothers and sisters, and help answer questions and have a conversation that felt respectful and pressure-free.”