Trades mourn death of Ray Glowski

Ray Glowski, retired secretary-treasurer of the Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council, passed away Sept. 4, 2009. He was 80 years old.

Mr. Glowski became a Painters Local 675 member in 1947, and transferred into Local 213 a year later. He served as Business Representative of Local 213 and later became President of Painters District Council 22 starting in the early 1960s.

He served in that position until he joined the Greater Detroit Building Trades Council as a business representative under the Council’s long-time Secretary-Treasurer Jack Wood. 

When Mr. Wood retired in 1985, Ray Glowski was promoted to the Secretary Treasurer position by the Greater Detroit Building Trades Council’s Executive Board, a position he held until he retired in 1992.

“You couldn’t have asked to know a nicer guy,” said current Painters District Council 22 Business Manager Tom McVicar. “He did a great job here at the painters and running the Detroit Building Trades Council. He will be missed.”

Mr. Glowski is survived by wife Shirley, two sons and a daughter. He lived in Lincoln, Michigan.

“I must have known Ray for 35 years,” said Robert Kennedy, who retired in February as Business Manager of the Painters District Council 22. “He was a big help to me, and he was dedicated to his work. And he was a lot of fun to be with. It’s sad to see him go.”

PLA seminar set for

Oct. 12 at MSU

The Michigan State University School of Labor and Industrial Relations is sponsoring a conference titled “Building Success: Best Practices in Construction Project Labor Agreements” that may be of interest to union officers.

The conference will be held Monday, Oct. 12 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, Lincoln Room, on the MSU campus.

Agenda items include speakers who will address “What do you want in a PLA,” “PLAs in schools and other public owners,” and “PLAs and the open shop.” 

A registration form and further information can be found on the web at www.lir.msu.edu/jump/conferences.php. Or call 517-355-1801.