[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LINDA GREGORY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary woman 
and distinguished labor leader, Linda Gregory, on the occasion of the 
San Mateo County Central Labor Council honoring her at their Annual 
COPE Banquet on August 18, 2006.
  Linda Gregory was born in Seattle, Washington and as a young child 
moved with her family to Sacramento, California, where she was raised 
in a working class family. When she was 18, Linda married Richard, and 
together they had four children: Robyn, Aaron, Sarah, and Benjamin.
  Mrs. Gregory's passion for social reform began early in life when her 
husband, a Sacramento social worker, went on strike. At the time, there 
was no law that recognized public employee unions or the right to 
collectively bargain. Richard and 300 other employees lost their jobs, 
and this experience had a profound effect on the rest of the Gregory's 
personal and professional lives.
  In 1968, Linda began her career in the public sector. She first 
worked as a junior clerk for Santa Clara County where she became an 
active member in SEIU Local 715.
  Linda Gregory rose through the ranks at SEIU Local 715. She began as 
a Shop Steward which motivated her involvement with political action. 
Because of her exceptional leadership abilities, she became an officer 
of the local union and she was later hired as a Research Director.
  In 1975, Linda Gregory began working as a Business Agent for AFSCME 
Council 57. She has held the position of Associate Director for 
decades, representing public employees working for the County, City and 
hospitals. Throughout her AFSCME career Linda Gregory has not only 
represented employees, she has also negotiated hundreds of contracts 
and conducted strategic planning meetings for AFSCME local unions 
throughout Northern California.

  One of her greatest achievements while working for AFSCME was the 
comparable pay campaign. The goal of the campaign was to provide equal 
pay to people with different job titles based on their value to their 
employer, regardless of any gender predominance in such positions. 
Because of Linda Gregory's leadership, dedication and hard work, 
California public employees were the first in the nation to earn 
comparable pay for comparable work.
  Linda Gregory has devoted almost three decades of her life to helping 
the American worker. In addition to her position at Council 57, she is 
also the President of the San Mateo Labor Council where she has been 
active for over twenty years and held an executive position since the 
late 1970's.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a national 
treasure, an exemplary American and a special friend. As the San Mateo 
County Central Labor Council celebrates the achievements of Linda 
Gregory at their 27th Annual C.O.P.E. banquet, we extend to her our 
best wishes as well as our gratitude for all she has accomplished for 
our region, our nation, and the American worker. Her leadership has set 
the gold standard for workers, and because of her enlightened 
leadership, we are a better community and a stronger country.

                          ____________________