Elevator Constructors Local 2 Political Offices, Achievements and Awards
Christensen joined the Elevator Constructors in 1979 and served as a Member of the Executive Board and as Vice-President of Local 2 from 1994 to 1998. In 1998, he became President of Local 2 and served in this office until his appointment as business manager on September 15, 2001. He won the November 20, 2001 Special Election as business manager and has been re-elected to full three year terms in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011. In 2005, Christensen was selected as the Illinois Maritime Labor Man of the Year. In the 2011 General Election, Christensen ran unopposed and became the longest-serving Business Manager of Elevator Constructors Local 2 in its 114 year history. Christensen also served as a Director of the Italian American Labor Council and was a member on several local and state labor councils. Frank was a former member of the National American Society of Mechanical Engineers A17.1 Committee and was also instrumental in the creation of the first nationwide Qualified Elevator Inspection testing program.
Christensen while Business Manager was a tireless crusader in protecting the work jurisdiction for his members. In 2007 and 2008 he achieved landmark rulings at both the NLRB and in Federal District Court. In 2006, Christensen fought to protect the union's work jurisdiction over hiring practices; as a result, Christensen was personally named in three lawsuits along with Elevator Constructors Local 2, which was filed by three of the four major elevator manufacturers. In the ensuing court case, a settlement conference was conviened in January 2007 and Christensen won several major concessions from the manufacturers which today has become the blueprint for future labor negoations not only for the IUEC; but for other trade unions worldwide as well. Christensen also achieved a landmark NLRB 10-K ruling in 2008 against Ironworkers Local 63 which would have devasted the Elevator Constructors not only in Chicago but nationwide.
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