Brothers and Sisters,
It brings me a great deal of pride to share in this article the accomplishments of Local 150’s Financial Secretary David M. Fagan, which serve not only as a tribute to his personal achievements, but also as a reflection of this union and its members’ values.
Dave started as an operating engineer in high school. At the age of 24, he found himself out of work. He went on to become a Steward at IMS and became an Election Commissioner during former President-Business Manager Bill Dugan’s second term. As luck would have it, a new opportunity came along quickly after which ended up charting the course for the rest of his career. Former President-Business Manager Bill Dugan recognized the importance to Local 150 of organizing the unorganized in Indiana and establishing relationships with legislators in Indianapolis to advocate for the union and its members. Dave was the perfect fit for the role, and he started working for the local, establishing strong connections with both state and local politicians throughout Indiana.
For decades, Dave’s dedication to this role as an organizer, and then as an officer, has served as an example for each of us of how individual efforts can lead to a deep collective impact. Financial Secretary Dave Fagan recently was the recipient of a distinguished award that recognizes individuals in the State of Indiana for their contributions to improving the lives of its residents.
At the start of 2025, Dave was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. This tribute, known as the highest honor the Governor of Indiana can give, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the state and its people.
The history of the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, to understand its significance, was introduced by Governor Ralph Gates in the late 1940s to reflect Indiana’s spirit and the wisdom of its native tribes. Named after the Wabash River, “sagamore” denotes a chief or respected figure, which very much represents the qualities Dave exemplifies as a respected figure in Indiana, the labor movement, and Local 150.
This recognition isn’t surprising to those familiar with his work and dedication. Over the years, Dave has demonstrated a sincere commitment to Local 150, exhibiting humanity, loyalty, and leadership that resonates with the values of the award. His efforts have not only motivated those around him, but also have made a real difference in the lives of many Local 150 members, working men and women in Indiana, as well as local businesses and communities across the state.
Honored by outgoing Governor Eric Holcomb, Dave joined a distinguished group of recipients that includes astronauts, artists, and political leaders, who have all contributed to Indiana. Each governor selects awardees based on the principle to honor those who elevate the community.
Having known and worked with Dave for decades, I can vouch for his dedication to creating better opportunities for our members to work, live, and raise families in Indiana, as well as throughout our jurisdiction in Illinois and Iowa. Dave is an incredibly humble person. Although he was reluctant to share this news on his own, I felt it was important to update our membership of this award to fully recognize how his contributions have played a crucial role in promoting policies that support workers and their families, like defeating anti-union measures to remove Responsible Bidder Ordinances, or working to get prounion candidates elected to office. Dave’s leadership has led to better working conditions, fair wages, and he has held several appointed positions that have allowed unions and their members to have a voice in decision-making in Indiana, where they might otherwise have been left out.
For decades, Dave has been a reliable advocate for labor in the State of Indiana. Although decisions may not always go in our favor, he strives to engage in dialogue and build partnerships with lawmakers and community leaders on both sides of the aisle. Even more so, Dave holds those in positions of authority accountable and has paved the way for meaningful change, even in challenging times. By consistently showing resilience and activism, Dave has encouraged many others to continue advocating for workers’ rights and strive for fairness and equity in the workplace. As seen with the current fight against HP Valpo, Inc., a company that has received $8.5 million in tax incentives from the state and City of Valparaiso, but has used workers from out-of-state and out-of-the-country, paid substandard wages, not paid taxes, and done little to invest in the local community and workers. His leadership reminds us that, even when faced with obstacles, determined individuals and a united front will always lead to progress and positive outcomes for this union.
Dave’s emphasis on community building and solidarity has strengthened the bond among Local 150 members, encouraging a culture of mutual support and collaboration. He has been especially effective over the years in leading our efforts to organize the unorganized. From organizing railroad and wreck and maintenance of way workers, to mill service contractors, to core construction operators, Dave has led the fight to increase union density in Indiana and Local 150’s market share. As chief negotiator of most of our Indiana collective bargaining agreements, Dave has spearheaded the fight to win some of our best contracts. His ability to unite people towards common goals has not only benefited our union, but also contributed to the broader social framework of Indiana.
These contributions were not accomplished overnight. They were the result of years of perseverance and hard work. Dave Fagan and his work demonstrate the impact of consistent effort and a firm commitment to one’s principles. His achievements remind us that change often comes gradually, through the accumulation of both small and large victories and the staunch pursuit of justice and equity for working men and women.
These victories have impacted not just Indiana, but our entire jurisdiction. From Dave’s appointment to the Indiana Port Commission, to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board where he served for 22 years, and as a Republican Appointee by the Porter County Commissioners for the Gary International Airport, to being elected as City Council in Portage, to volunteering for two State Republican Platform Committees, to the development of the Indiana Lunch Pail Republican PAC Fund, to his work to turn numerous non-union projects around such as Mammoth Solar and the Amazon Data Center shows he keeps his eyes on every issue and understands the interconnectedness of labor, politics, business, and community.
One of the most important wins for Local 150 in Indiana included advocating for the leasing of the Indiana Tollway, a hotly contested issue, under Governor Mitch Daniels. Dave shared with Local 150 the little amount of money the state was spending to upgrade the toll roads, and the union decided to support the leasing of the tollway. Local 150 hoped to see more capital improvement for road spending on the tollway, which extends throughout most of our jurisdiction, as well as seize an opportunity to organize a large number of employees in the private sector that would now fall under the National Labor Relations Act. Both objectives were fulfilled. Local 150 got millions and millions of dollars of work, and we now represent nearly all employees working on the Indiana toll roads. This was later followed by the successful organizing of the Chicago Skyway as well.
Another impactful win under Financial Secretary Dave Fagan’s leadership for our members from the state was the push for the gas tax increase. There was a critical need to fix the funding shortfall in road construction for both new construction and road maintenance. During Governor Holcomb’s first term, he decided to push for a gas tax increase. Dave was able to work with Senators and State Representatives to bring them onboard to support the increase. Ultimately, the gas tax was raised, and it created billions of dollars for funding additional road work.
There are countless other impactful stories – from navigating complex negotiations to advancing community relationships – that show how Dave has consistently been a remarkable asset to our local. He has balanced the intricacies of political advocacy while ensuring the needs of Local 150 members are always prioritized. His strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities have enabled him to tackle challenges head-on, whether they involve securing better contracts or addressing legislative hurdles.
Dave has been influential in building strong alliances with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, business leaders, and fellow union members. His ability to listen, empathize, and communicate effectively has not only advanced the union’s goals, but also strengthened the sense of community and solidarity among those he serves. Dave has left a lasting mark on both the Union and the broader community.
Dave’s effort serves as a reminder to all of us at Local 150, highlighting the importance of resilience and the power of collective action. It underscores the value of building strong relationships, developing trust, and working collaboratively towards our goals. Through his leadership, Dave has shown that when individuals come together with a common purpose, they can bring about meaningful change and leave a legacy.
In sharing Dave’s accomplishments, I’d be missing the mark if I didn’t also recognize how each of you have contributed as well. Dave is the first to recognize that any and every success an individual at Local 150 has is due to those around them. He honestly feels that although he is the one who received the award, the honor and recognition is truly for the hard work of every member, retiree, officer, business agent, organizer, and staff member. None of our work gets done alone. For that, we need to see that from a member running a crane at a work site, to an organizer bannering a contractor, to an agent or officer sitting at a negotiating table, we all raise the bar for working men and women throughout our jurisdiction. We are what makes Local 150 stronger and better in every way.
Many thanks, Brother Fagan, for your dedication to Local 150, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Your years of leadership have brought honor to this great union. I hope each of you, our members, and all good Indiana Hoosiers will congratulate Dave on this incredible accomplishment.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall.