We honor the life time achievements of Bob Dawson and in particular his contributions to our members and union. Bob Dawson made many contributions to the well being of UC employees and development of UPTE-CWA: Healthcare professional contracts: Bob contributed his vast historical knowledge of healthcare professional issues and contracts to the negotiation of the first and every subsequent health care professional contract that UPTE-CWA has negotiated. Systemwide leadership: Bob served as the systemwide vice-president of UPTE-CWA from 1996 to 1999, playing a key role on the executive board and as a delegate from the local to our national union. Berkeley campus: Bob held many different roles at the UPTE-CWA Berkeley local including local president. He was the main activist from the Tang Student Health Center where he worked as a clinical laboratory specialist since July 1, 1972.

Bob Dawson participated in an oral history of UPTE, providing his recollections and commentary on the development of our union. Here are excerpts from his contribution and links to the complete text: August 06, 2006 "Will you tell me a little bit about the place where you’re from?" Bob Dawson:"Well, it’s a mixture. The rural area in Illinois—southern Illinois primarily—there’s a lot farm country. As a kid I learned quite a bit about animals and apple nurseries. I had a job working in an apple nursery when I was quite young and that was how to graft different trees, different apples, different strawberries--things of that nature. It was quite interesting". Complete text September 13, 2006 "Are these UPTE folks?" Bob Dawson:"These are all members of UPTE. We had an election, I believe, in ’96 or ’97 statewide with the University of California, and UPTE won the election to represent the health care professionals. [...] The aim of them is [two] things: wages and working conditions— those are the basic things that you really have—better working conditions and better wages". Complete text September 30, 2006 "What was [the] experience [serving as Local President] like for you?" Bob Dawson:"[...] If we’re going to make progress, the only way we’re going to do it is by having a more active membership. So we just have to keep our eyes on the prize, and the prize is developing a membership, or participating in a membership that is trying to do something that is real". Complete text In lieu of flowers Bob Dawson and his wife ask that contributions be made to: Monterey Jazz Festival Education Fund.

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	UPTE-CWA 9119  |  P.O. Box 4443, Berkeley, CA 94704 | 510.704.8783  |  info@upte-cwa.org