[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND AIRPORT WORKERS: SOL 
             PRICE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION OF THE YEAR AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2011

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proclaim that organized 
labor is often the sole force fighting for the rights of not just union 
members, but all workers.
  This was seen this past fall when union workers at the airport stood 
up for the rights of all concession, parking and restaurant workers by 
bringing forward a worker retention policy at the San Diego Regional 
Airport Authority.
  Up until then, workers had no job protections in the event of new 
contractors taking over business at the airport. If a shop or 
restaurant lost its lease, every employee working there could lose 
their job.
  Led by Airport Authority chairman Robert Gleason, the agency brought 
workers into the search for a solution. Workers were not only given a 
voice in the process, but their opinions and concerns were valued as 
expert testimony on the importance of the Airport Authority providing a 
sense of job security for workers with as many as 35 years of 
experience.
  Even when delays in the process occurred, it was due to Airport 
Authority commissioners believing that they could accomplish even more 
through their policy.
  By a final vote of 7-to-1, the Airport Authority eventually passed a 
worker retention policy that will protect airport workers. The vote 
proved that all parties can win when the voices of workers are taken 
into consideration.
  It gives me a great honor Mr. Speaker, that in light of their passage 
of a worker retention policy, I join with the Executive Board of the 
San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council in honoring the San Diego 
Regional Airport Authority and Airport Workers with the 2010-2011, 
``Sol Price Spirit of Cooperation Award.''

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