Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement on the passing of Minnesota Labor Leader Tom Keegel, who served as General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1999 to 2012:
“Tom Keegel was a proud Teamster and one of this nation’s strongest advocates for working people over his 52-year career.
“Despite rising to a position of national prominence, Tom never forgot his Minnesota roots or his first co-workers who took part in the 1934 Minneapolis Teamsters strike.
“From his time as a rank-and-file member to leading Local 120 and Joint Council 32 in Minnesota and finally as International General Secretary-Treasurer, Tom fought for strong and accountable unions that create better lives for working people.
“Tom’s commitment to working people never faltered. Even after retiring, he could be found walking picket lines in solidarity with his union brothers and sisters. Minnesota’s Labor movement mourns his loss and will never forget everything he did for working people.”