Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of those stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
The Arizona AFL-CIO, under the leadership of Executive Director Fred Yamashita (UFCW), took part in a donation delivery of nonperishable food, supplies and “Union Yes” face masks to the Navajo and Hopi nations.
Along with the AFL-CIO, Electrical Workers (IBEW) locals, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 99 and Teamsters Local 104, the state federation dropped off more than $10,000 worth of donations and over 2,000 masks. Safeway also donated several thousand bottles of drinking water. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez thanked all those in attendance, calling them “friends of the Navajo Nation.”
The state federation is facilitating another drop-off of supplies and donations in the coming weeks, including a $15,000 donation from the AFL-CIO and a $10,000 donation from Local 99.
Native American tribes have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic in Arizona and many other parts of the United States.