Charles Hill
Retired President
On January 2, 1938 Grace and Patrick Hill gave birth to their son, Charles. Charles Hill grew up in the Bronx where he attended school. In 1956 at the age of 17 he joined US Army 82nd Airborne Division until his discharge in 1959. After his tour of duty he followed in his father’s and brother’s footsteps and joined Local 88 as a tile finisher.
Charles Hill has been a member of the Tile Finishers since joining in 1960. He became a union officer in 1971 serving on the Executive Board of Local 88. He served as Business Agent from 1977 to 1992. Later in that year he became Business Manager.
In November 1993 Charles Hill was directed by the BAC International Union to head up the newly founded Tile, Marble & Terrazzo District Council as president. This District Council was comprised of the Tile Setters, Tile Finishers NY, Tile Finishers NJ, Marble Setters, Marble Finishers, Marble Polishers, and Terrazzo Workers. On November 1, 1994 Local 7 was formed incorporating all the locals of the District Council with Charles Hill appointed its first President.
Under his leadership he was able to unite 7 individual locals into the cohesive unit we have today. This was not an easy task as egos, attitudes, and biases had to be dealt with. Through hard work and tireless effort, Charles Hill was able to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and unity of purpose among the members.
During his tenure and under his guidance as president, Charles Hill was instrumental in negotiating new contracts for his membership that not only improved their wages, but also their benefits. Under his direction, the welfare funds of locals 52, 77, & 88 were combined into one; a most impressive feat. Now all the tile craftsmen enjoy the same benefits and in many cases with benefits better than their original coverage.
In April 2002, under his administration, the new home for Local 7 came into existence with the purchase of the new union offices at Court Square. No longer were we tenants but owners of our own home. Charles Hill’s action proved to be a wise investment as the worth of the building has increased with each passing year.
During Charles Hill’s administration, Local 7’s membership has risen 27%, the apprentice program was revamped, and the Training Facility in Long Island City was established. The conference room at the IMI Training Facility, with its fireplace and horseshoe granite conference table constructed and installed by Local 7 personnel, is a lasting testament to the accomplishments under Charles Hill’s guidance and leadership. In addition to Long Island City, Local 7 has also established a training center in Bordentown New Jersey for the convenience of New Jersey residents.
Under Charles Hill’s leadership, Local 7 recently completed work on three 9-11 Memorial Projects; Rockaway Beach Memorial, Hempstead Town Memorial, and its crowning tribute, The Eisenhower Park 9-11 Memorial. All work was performed by Local 7 member volunteers under Charles Hill’s personal direction.
Besides serving as President for Local 7, Charles Hill served on the IU Executive Committee as well as Secretary of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. He has won several awards for his leadership abilities in the field of Labor among which awards from the Boys Club of America Labor Leader Award, Queens Democratic Committee Outstanding Labor Leader Award, Trinity Services Labor Leadership Award, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York Outstanding Achievement in Labor Award are but a few.
Local 7 will be hard pressed to replace an individual who has displayed the integrity, wisdom, drive, and tenaciousness that Charles Hill has displayed in his association with the labor movement, the trowel trades in general and Local 7 specifically. His associates, his friends, and family are enriched from their association with Charles Hill.
Charles Hill prepares to enjoy a well deserved retirement with his wife Ginny, his 7 children, and 19 grandchildren. We all wish him health and happiness, for none deserves it more than he.
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