[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  UNITED NURSES ASSOCIATION ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: SAN DIEGO-IMPERIAL 
            COUNTIES LABOR COUNCIL, AFL-CIO ORGANIZING AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 1997

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to recognize the 
United Nurses Association of California [UNAC] Organizing Committee, as 
they are honored by the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-
CIO, for their contributions to the labor movement and to the community 
as a whole.
  The UNAC Organizing Committee is being recognized by the labor 
council with its Organizing Award for the committee's commitment to 
organizing in the health care industry. This organizing committee 
conducted an historic drive for union representation at Sharp Hospital 
during 1996 and won the election by an overwhelming margin. UNAC and 
Sharp are now at the negotiating table to secure a contract for 2,700 
nurses and other health care professionals.
  This is a milestone achievement, for UNAC is also celebrating its 
25th anniversary this year. Representing 8,000 members in southern 
California and 3,300 in San Diego, UNAC's members include nurses at 
Kaiser Permanente and the civilian nurses at Balboa Naval Hospital, as 
well as the newest members at Sharp. UNAC is also a member of the 
Coalition for Quality Health Care, which worked to educate the public 
about a proposed merger of Columbia and Sharp--one which has recently 
been rejected. They are active legislatively at the local, State, and 
national levels.
  UNAC is a true pioneer in protecting the future of health care in the 
San Diego community. I want to sincerely congratulate this organization 
and its members on receiving this significant award.

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