Ybarra announced his resignation after winning election June 10 as business manager of Sprinkler Fitters Local 417. He had served as business manager for the Minneapolis Building Trades Council since September 2005.
Hawthorne, 50, has served more than eight years as a business agent for BAC Local 1 and as vice president for 7 years.
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David Ybarra |
Mike Hawthorne |
He said Jim Lundquist, president of BAC Local 1, encouraged him to become a candidate for the business manager opening at the Building Trades Council once news of Ybarra\'s pending resignation spread. Support from other unions followed.
The Building Trades Council\'s executive board met June 13 and appointed Hawthorne as business manager to fill out the remainder of Ybarra\'s term, which expires in July 2009.
Hawthorne said he expects he will have a lot to learn in his new position, but added that’s a familiar challenge for someone in the building trades.
"We\'re used to being able to walk onto a job site, finding what the job involves, and doing it.
"The Building Trades must be — and they are — developing a presence in the community," Hawthorne said. "I want to be a part of developing that presence, politically, too.
"We’re coming into a big election year," Hawthorne noted. "It\'s important to educate our membership on who really is going to represent them."
Hawthorne lives in Chisago City with his wife Deb. The couple have two grown sons, ages 25 and 30. Hawthorne grew up in North St. Paul and entered the building trades as a tile helper in 1978 soon after graduating from high school.
Steve Share edits the Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation. Visit the federation\'s website, www.minneapolisunions.org
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Ybarra announced his resignation after winning election June 10 as business manager of Sprinkler Fitters Local 417. He had served as business manager for the Minneapolis Building Trades Council since September 2005.
Hawthorne, 50, has served more than eight years as a business agent for BAC Local 1 and as vice president for 7 years.
|
|
|
David Ybarra |
Mike Hawthorne |
He said Jim Lundquist, president of BAC Local 1, encouraged him to become a candidate for the business manager opening at the Building Trades Council once news of Ybarra\’s pending resignation spread. Support from other unions followed.
The Building Trades Council\’s executive board met June 13 and appointed Hawthorne as business manager to fill out the remainder of Ybarra\’s term, which expires in July 2009.
Hawthorne said he expects he will have a lot to learn in his new position, but added that’s a familiar challenge for someone in the building trades.
"We\’re used to being able to walk onto a job site, finding what the job involves, and doing it.
"The Building Trades must be — and they are — developing a presence in the community," Hawthorne said. "I want to be a part of developing that presence, politically, too.
"We’re coming into a big election year," Hawthorne noted. "It\’s important to educate our membership on who really is going to represent them."
Hawthorne lives in Chisago City with his wife Deb. The couple have two grown sons, ages 25 and 30. Hawthorne grew up in North St. Paul and entered the building trades as a tile helper in 1978 soon after graduating from high school.
Steve Share edits the Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation. Visit the federation\’s website, www.minneapolisunions.org