[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TOM WOOD: LABOR LEADER OF THE YEAR!

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, today I acknowledge a great friend of labor, 
Tom Wood--named the ``Labor Leader of the Year'' by the San Diego-
Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
  Tom began his career as a Distribution Clerk with the United States 
Postal Service as a member of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU--
Local 197) in January 1972. Within six months, he became a Shop Steward 
and started representing employees' rights. He noticed that other 
employees needed representation because they were too shy to represent 
themselves; he then became involved in assuring that employees would be 
treated fairly and justly.
  In 1974, Tom was elected as Clerk Craft Director and subsequently has 
represented the APWU in several capacities since: Secretary-Treasurer, 
Executive Vice President and as the President of his Local Union since 
1990. He has been the APWU chief negotiator for all local contracts for 
San Diego represented employees, and has made it a point to see that 
all postal managers treat employees with dignity and respect. Tom has 
established a reputation of vigorously representing his members, while 
still being responsive to the needs of the employer and their constant 
struggle with the ``budget.''
  Tom has served as a member of the Board of Directors on the San 
Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council for the last fifteen years and as 
President since 2004. Several years ago, under his leadership, the APWU 
began looking with other labor unions in town to buy their own 
property, and became partners with the San Diego-Imperial Counties 
Labor Council, AFSCME, HERE, CWA and IATSE in Mission Valley's United 
Labor Center.
  Congratulations Tom Wood, on your recognition as ``Labor Leader of 
the Year''!

                          ____________________