Title
To Recognize and Celebrate Mark Fluharty on his Retirement and his Contributions to the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, this Council recognizes and celebrates Mark Fluharty for his outstanding service to his community by giving his skills, energy, time, and commitment toward the betterment the City of Columbus by serving the Central Ohio Labor Council and UFCW Local 1059; and
WHEREAS, Mark joined UFCW Local 1059 as a member in 1988 and quickly became vice president and union representative in 1991 before his appointment to the Secretary Treasurer in 2010 and upon retiring from that role in 2018, Mark became the Executive Director of the Central Ohio Labor Council; and
WHEREAS, for more than thirty years serving as a proud leader in Columbus’ labor movement, Mark Flurharty has led countless contract negotiations, empowering Columbus-area workers to have their voices heard and interests represented through the power of collective bargaining; and
WHEREAS, Fluharty’s staunch advocacy played a crucial role in ushering in a new era of worker protections for workers in the City of Columbus of Central Ohio region, including Columbus’ wage theft law, freelance worker protections, and the utilizations of community benefit agreements for public construction projects; and
WHEREAS, Mark served on the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Central Ohio, the Board for Creating Central Ohio Futures, and the City’s Civilian Police Review Board, demonstrating his dedication to public service and the community; and
WHEREAS, for more than a decade, Mark has helped coordinate food donations in a partnership with St. Stephens Community House for the Christmas Cares, Union Shares annual event that feeds over 3,000 families each holiday season; and
WHEREAS, Mark holds a degree in Labor Studies from the National Labor College; and
WHEREAS, Fluharty’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 Columbus and Central Ohio; his leadership, guidance, and willingness to give back to workers and the community will be greatly missed; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council recognizes and celebrates Mark Fluharty on his well-earned retirement and his service to the City of Columbus, and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors.