Dan McCarthy

Business Representative

Born to a Union family in Southwest Detroit, my father worked at Marathon Oil Refinery and my mother worked at J. L. Hudson’s. They juggled work with raising seven children. In our family voting and politics as well as the Union were of high importance. My parents both retired on a Teamsters pension. 

After attending Central Michigan University long enough to realize I didn’t want to be an elementary teacher, I obtained my Union card in 1976 and have held one ever since. Starting in 1978, I have served my Local Union in a range of capacities, from Steward to Local Union President. I have been doing contract administration and contract renewals since 1985.  In January of 2003, I came to Local 547. Since then, I have been assigned to school employees in districts throughout Mid-Michigan, Flint-Saginaw corridor, and the thumb area. I also service city employees and our members at the Detroit Casinos. I came here looking for a challenge; I came to the right place. Public sector budgets are styled like an annual Kamikaze run and the casinos bargain like they may never make another dollar.  I am grateful to the Stewards in our Local who face these challenges on a close-up basis every single day. Our Local depends on their effectiveness. I am proud to be with a Local that fights the daily battles, but also keeps an eye on the big picture. Only by seeing the big picture can we engage productively in the political arena so that ultimately we find solutions rather than simply treat the symptoms of a difficult economy. 

When not happily at work, I like music and sports. I love being at home with my wife Karen and daughter Claire.

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