Minnesota’s Labor Movement is saddened to learn of the death of MN AFL-CIO President Emeritus Dan Gustafson Thursday evening. Gustafson served as the State Labor Federation’s President from 1985 to 1990 and Secretary-Treasurer from 1978 to 1984.
“Minnesota’s Labor movement has lost a true champion for working people,” said current Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy. “When big business tried to weaken Minnesota’s workers compensation system and labor protections in the 1980s, Dan Gustafson led the effort that stopped those attacks.”
Entering the Labor Movement in 1947 as a member of the Plasterers Union, Gustafson was elected to lead the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council in the 1960s. While in Minneapolis, Gustafson was instrumental in founding Union Bank & Trust.
“Union members represent a major element of the economy but the labor movement is left out of the financial decisions made by the community," Gustafson told the Minneapolis Labor Review in November 1974. "We create the industrial wealth, build the towns, but someone else always handles the money.”
Funeral information:
Saturday, April 6th
Service at 1:00 p.m. (with visitation two hours prior to the service)
Washburn-McReavy
Glen Haven Memorial Gardens
5125 W Broadway Avenue
Crystal, MN 55429