Michael Pleasant

Michael Pleasant has been a member of the United Association for more than 42 years. During those years, he not only learned the skills of his trade but also rose to the highest levels of leadership in the UA.

A native of Robinson, IL, Pleasant completed his apprenticeship with Local 157 in Terre Haute, IN, and went on to earn an associate degree in applied science from Ivy Tech State College. He gained considerable jobsite experience on projects ranging from small plumbing jobs to major industrial construction before beginning his leadership career in 1996.

Determined to give back to his fellow union brothers and sisters and the industry, Pleasant decided to seek an elected office in his local union. He started as an elected member of his local’s Executive Board, where he served for six years. During this time, he was also a Field Representative, a post he held until he was elected Business Agent in 2001.

Three years later, he was elected Business Manager and reelected to that position a second time. He led his local in that position until he was asked to serve at the UA’s General Office in the Jurisdiction Department. He was well qualified for that position because of his extensive experience in the field and as a local union officer, where he dealt with many different issues on a daily basis.

In 2011, the United Association General President named Brother Pleasant Director of Trade Jurisdiction. He was chosen because of his broad knowledge of the construction industry, craft jurisdiction and national agreements the UA and its signatory contractors operate under, as well as his proven ability to interpret those agreements in a fair and impartial manner. He was unanimously reelected to that post at the United Association’s 38th General Convention.

In 2012, he was elected President and Labor Co-Chair of the National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee (NMAPC), further strengthening the UA’s position in the union construction industry.

In 2013, he was named Administrative Assistant to the General President by the UA General President. In that position, Pleasant was responsible for interpreting the United Association Constitution, which serves as the law of the UA and thus is critical to how the organization functions. He had many other significant responsibilities, including guiding local unions in implementing their bylaws. He was also responsible for the enforcement of Section 219(r) Transfer Card Waivers. Other duties assigned by the General President included the handling of AFL-CIO Article XX and XXI cases, the Mechanical Allied Crafts Council, National Maintenance Agreements, Joint National Agreement for Instrument and Control Systems Technicians and the United Steel Workers of America Agreement.

On July 1, 2014, Brother Pleasant was unanimously elected by the UA General Executive Board to Assistant General President (AGP), finishing the term of the former AGP. At the UA’s 39th General Convention, held in 2016, in San Diego, he was unanimously elected as part of the Team McManus slate and then reelected in 2021 at the UA’s 40th General Convention to continue serving as the Assistant General President for the next five years. In addition to his duties as Assistant General President, he continues to serve as President and Labor Co-Chair of the NMAPC and administers the UA National Specialty Agreement. He also assists with the oversight of the UA National Agreements.