Donald P. Early, former president of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council (CLUC), is being remembered for his strong commitment to the labor movement and ability to bring people together.
Early, age 75, died Sept. 12 of mesothelioma. A former business manager of Pipefitters Local 539, he served as CLUC president from 1990-1996. He also served as business manager of the Minneapolis Building Trades Council from 1982-1990.
He won his first election to head the Building Trades Council by one vote, defeating the incumbent, recalled Ray Waldron. Waldron, currently Minnesota AFL-CIO president, served as field representative for the Building Trades Council when Early was business manager.
"He stood for change when he thought things were wrong," Waldron said. "He was a true believer."
"He was very strong in his ideas -- some people would say stubborn," Waldron added.
When Early was CLUC president, Waldron said, "he brought the group together through all their differences."
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Don Early |
"Darrell Ray, who served as CLUC vice president under Early, said the late union leader was well-liked.
"He was easy to work with because he let you know what was going on," Ray said. At CLUC meetings, "he was up in the front of the room and I was at the mike in the back. We kept the meeting moving."
Early also served as president of the Minnesota Pipe Trades Association and as a board member of the Urban League, the Minneapolis Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
"If you said he was a Pipefitter, that was his biggest accomplishment," Waldron said. "The rest of his titles didn't carry a lot of weight with him."
A U.S. Navy veteran, Early graduated in 1947 from Minneapolis Henry High School, where he ran track and played basketball and football. He is survived by sisters Kathryn Lee of Florida and Geraldine (Gerry) Roney of Maple Grove, and brothers James and John (Jack) of Brooklyn Park.
Steve Share edits the Minneapolis Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council. Visit the council's website at www.minneapolisunions.org
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Donald P. Early, former president of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council (CLUC), is being remembered for his strong commitment to the labor movement and ability to bring people together.
Early, age 75, died Sept. 12 of mesothelioma. A former business manager of Pipefitters Local 539, he served as CLUC president from 1990-1996. He also served as business manager of the Minneapolis Building Trades Council from 1982-1990.
He won his first election to head the Building Trades Council by one vote, defeating the incumbent, recalled Ray Waldron. Waldron, currently Minnesota AFL-CIO president, served as field representative for the Building Trades Council when Early was business manager.
“He stood for change when he thought things were wrong,” Waldron said. “He was a true believer.”
“He was very strong in his ideas — some people would say stubborn,” Waldron added.
When Early was CLUC president, Waldron said, “he brought the group together through all their differences.”
![]() |
Don Early
|
“Darrell Ray, who served as CLUC vice president under Early, said the late union leader was well-liked.
“He was easy to work with because he let you know what was going on,” Ray said. At CLUC meetings, “he was up in the front of the room and I was at the mike in the back. We kept the meeting moving.”
Early also served as president of the Minnesota Pipe Trades Association and as a board member of the Urban League, the Minneapolis Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
“If you said he was a Pipefitter, that was his biggest accomplishment,” Waldron said. “The rest of his titles didn’t carry a lot of weight with him.”
A U.S. Navy veteran, Early graduated in 1947 from Minneapolis Henry High School, where he ran track and played basketball and football. He is survived by sisters Kathryn Lee of Florida and Geraldine (Gerry) Roney of Maple Grove, and brothers James and John (Jack) of Brooklyn Park.
Steve Share edits the Minneapolis Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council. Visit the council’s website at www.minneapolisunions.org