Afl-cio president
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Our brother and leader Richard Trumka passed away on August 5, 2021, at the age of 72.
The labor movement, the AFL-CIO and the nation lost a legend. Rich devoted his life to working people, from his early days as president of the United Mine Workers of America to his unparalleled leadership as the voice of America’s labor movement.
He was a relentless champion of workers’ rights, workplace safety, worker-centered trade, democracy and so much more. He was also a devoted father, grandfather, husband, brother, coach, colleague and friend. Rich was loved and beloved.
The 56 unions and 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO mourn the passing of our fearless leader and commit to honoring his legacy with action. Standing on Rich’s shoulders, we will pour everything we have into building an economy, society and democracy that lifts up every working family and community.
Richard Trumka's Biography
Richard L. Trumka’s Lifelong Devotion to Family and Democracy
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Richard Trumka
This article is about the union leader. For his son, the commissioner of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, see Richard Trumka Jr.
American attorney and organized labor leader (1949–2021)
Richard Louis Trumka (July 24, 1949 – August 5, 2021) was an American attorney and organized labor leader. He served as president of the United Mine Workers from 1982 to 1995, and then was secretary-general of the AFL-CIO from 1995 to 2009. He was elected president of the AFL-CIO on September 16, 2009, at the federation's convention in Pittsburgh, and served in that position until his death.[1][2]
Early life and education
Trumka was born on July 24, 1949, in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, to an Italian-American mother,[3] Eola Elizabeth (née Bertugli), and a second-generation Polish-American father, coal miner Frank Richard Trumka.[4][5] He went to work in the mines in 1968.[5] He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1971 and a Juris
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Richard Trumka
In 1982, at age 33, Trumka ran on a reform ticket and was elected the youngest president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).
There, in addition to reforming the UMWA’s fractious bureaucracy, he led one of the most successful strikes in recent American history against the Pittston Coal Company, which tried to avoid paying into an industry-wide health and pension fund.
Trumka was elected AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer in 1995, and held that post until 2009, when he was elected president.
Trumka’s economic advocacy extended from the kitchen table and spanned the globe. He rallied international labor support for workers struggling for justice, and fought to end unfair trade practices and restore U.S. manufacturing strength. As secretary-treasurer, he carved out an innovative leadership role that continues today, working with programs that invest the collectively bargained pension and benefit funds of the labor movement to ensure they serve the long-term interests of workers.
Trumka’s commitment to improving life for working people began early.
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