Washington, D.C. — This morning, the AFL-CIO announced that its longtime president, Richard Trumka, died at age 72. After learning of the news, John Podesta, founder and member of the Board of Directors at the Center for American Progress, and Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:
Today, the United States lost a legend in the fight to ensure that all Americans have a good job as well as a voice at work and in our democracy. From his early days with the United Mine Workers of America to his presidency of the AFL-CIO, Rich worked tirelessly on behalf of the right of workers to join a union and bargain collectively. He fought against efforts to use racism to divide workers and for a more equitable society.
He saw the common cause of white, Black, and brown working people making a decent living, and the future of working people in new industries such as clean energy.
Rich’s passing is a loss for his family and friends and the labor movement, as well as for the broader progressive movement. We were proud to call him a brother and will miss his friendship, passion, and energy. His loss will be felt in the United States and around the world.
For more information or to speak to an expert, contact Julia Cusick at [email protected].