Title
To Honor, Recognize, and Celebrate the Retirement of Rodney French
Body
WHEREAS, this Council honors and recognizes Rodney French for his outstanding service to his community by giving his skills, energy, time, and commitment toward the betterment of the City of Columbus, local union workers, and the city’s construction industry; and
WHEREAS, Rodney has been a proud member of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Local #24 since 1985, serving as Business Manager since 2017 where he managed operations and finances of the union while helping in the negotiation of working conditions and contract wages for over 2,800 members covering 88 counties throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia; and
WHEREAS, prior to serving as Business Manager, Rodney served as Local #24’s Business Representative in 2012 until 2017; and
WHEREAS, as a representative on the Executive Board of the Columbus Building Trades Council, Rodney’s advocacy and leadership helped promote healthy labor-management relationships between employers and employees in the construction industry; and
WHEREAS, Rodney has demonstrated deep commitment to the Columbus community, volunteering his time to help build the accessible and universally designed playground at the OSU Nisonger Center, and supporting organizations such as Dreams on Horseback and OSU’s Moms2B program; and
WHEREAS, Rodney served as a representative on the Executive Boards of the Ohio State Building & Construction Trades Council, the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the South-Western Career Academy Manufacturing Cluster Advisory Committee, the Fort Hayes Career Center Advisory Board, the Eastland Career Center Welding Advisory Board, and the Affiliated Construction Trades Ohio, where he helped advocate for fair wages, workforce training, industry regulations, safety standards, and career advancement opportunities for young people; and
WHEREAS, Rodney’s leadership in the Central Ohio labor community will be greatly missed as he is a fierce advocate for his members, and all workers in the Building Trades; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
that we honor and recognize Rodney French for his lasting contributions to the City of Columbus and its union construction industry.