[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING LOCAL 34 FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES, UNITE-HERE 
   INTERNATIONAL UNION AS THEY CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
                    SIGNING OF THEIR FIRST CONTRACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2005

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join the many who have gathered to join Local 34 Federation of 
University Employees, UNITE-HERE International Union as they celebrate 
the 20th Anniversary of the signing of their first contract with Yale 
University. Two decades after their inception, Local 34 continues to 
provide a strong voice to the clerical workers, financial assistants, 
research technicians, and medical assistants they represent.
  In the early nineteen eighties, across America there was a change in 
what was the traditional role of women in the workplace. Increasingly, 
women were not simply working for a little extra money, but were 
becoming career women--working to support themselves and their 
families. As this transition moved forward, clerical and technical 
employees at Yale University--positions a majority of which were held 
by women--began to meet and discuss possible opportunities for them to 
obtain such daring goals as equal pay for equal work and the 
availability of a pension plan that would be meaningful in their 
retirement. They began to look for similar employment protections that 
were offered to other employees at Yale University. It was from these 
early discussions that the Local 34 was organized.
  With assistance from their brethren at Local 35, which represents the 
service and maintenance workers at the University, and Local 217, who 
represent hotel and restaurant workers in Connecticut and Rhode Island, 
the effort to establish Local 34 began. In May of 1983, clerical and 
technical workers at Yale took the historic step of voting to form 
Local 34. Their mission, as it still stands today, was simple. They 
wanted to protect and advance the interests of their membership. During 
their first negotiations with Yale University, Local 34 fought for the 
concept of ``comparable work,'' and focused not only on the specific 
issues of salaries and benefits, but on the larger social issues of 
women's and civil rights. With diligence and unwavering commitment to 
their cause, Local 34 and Yale University endured nineteen months of 
discussion, a total of ninety-two negotiating sessions, and a 10-week 
strike to sign their first contract. This significant moment not only 
provided clerical and technical workers with real changes in wages, 
benefits, and pensions, but, for the first time, these employees had a 
real voice on the job.
  Twenty years later, Local 34 continues to serve the interests of 
their membership and in its work to improve the University and 
community as well. As they celebrate this remarkable milestone in their 
history, I am proud to stands and extend my sincere congratulations to 
the leadership and membership of Local 34 Federation of University 
Employees, UNITE--HERE International Union--past and present--for their 
many invaluable contributions to our community. I have and continue to 
be proud to work with them in these efforts which make such a 
difference in the lives of our hardworking men and women and their 
families.

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