Michael A. Collins, general secretary–treasurer of the United Association and longtime labor leader died Feb. 16 after fighting a long battle with cancer.
Collins, 55, began his union career in 1964 when he joined Plumbers Local 5 in Washington, D.C. He moved up the ranks of the local union with elections beginning in 1970 with the Finance Board; as assistant business manager in 1973 and as business manager in 1976.