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To Recognize, Honor, and Celebrate Mike Knisley on his Retirement from the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council
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WHEREAS, Mike Knisley has devoted his professional career to the labor movement and the betterment of workers in Ohio for nearly four decades; and
WHEREAS, having received a degree from the Hobart School of Welding Technology, Mr. Knisley graduated from the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local 776’s (“UA Local 776”) apprenticeship program and the UA Instructor Training Program through Michigan State University at Washtenaw Community College; and
WHEREAS, after joining the UA Local 776 in Lima, Ohio, Mr. Knisley became an active union member serving in numerous roles, first as an apprenticeship instructor, then local union President, and was ultimately elected as Business Manager/Financial Secretary, the top leadership position of the local union; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his service to UA Local 776, Mr. Knisley has been elected and appointed to serve on various boards such as the Lima Building & Construction Trades Council, and pension, health and welfare boards to ensure workers were represented and provided excellent fringe benefits during their careers; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Knisley took on statewide leadership in the labor movement when he was first elected as President of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council (“OSBCTC”), and later unanimously as the Secretary-Treasurer of OBSCTC, making him the top elected leader of Building Trades Unions in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Secretary-Treasurer of the OSBCTC Mr. Knisley led numerous initiatives to provide new services to members of the OSBCTC and oversaw day-to-day operations, supporting its 14 regional building trades local councils, over 120 local trade unions and 110,000 rank and file members; and
WHEREAS, as Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. Knisley played a key role in securing Project Labor Agreements for numerous large scale construction projects across the state and in Central Ohio, creating countless work hours for union trades workers. His years in office represent some of the highest market share for Building Trades Unions across Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Knisley successfully lobbied on behalf of Building Trades Unions at every level of government, from Columbus City Hall to the U.S. Capital-where he was called upon on numerous occasions to testify at the U.S. Senate on issues such as permitting reform and federal infrastructure investments in Ohio, and served on the Cleveland Federal Reserve Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Knisley’s leadership in the labor movement has improved the lives of thousands of families across the state and in Central Ohio, his stalwart dedication to workers and his good humor is admired by all those that have worked with him throughout his career; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council recognizes, commends, and celebrates Mike Knisley upon his retirement as Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council and thanks him for his longstanding commitment to the City of Columbus and its union construction workers and industry.