TonyC

AFL-CIO President Trumka, prominent U.S. labor leader, dies

DAVID SHEPARDSON AND MAKINI BRICE
August 6, 2021, 2:02 AM
By David Shepardson and Makini Brice

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, head of the largest U.S. labor organization and a key figure in Democratic politics, has died at age 72, representatives for the group said on Thursday.

President Joe Biden told reporters at the White House that Trumka was a close personal friend. Trumka died unexpectedly of a likely heart attack, a source told Reuters.

Trumka, a third-generation coal miner from Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, began working in the mines at age 19, and became president of the AFL-CIO, a federation of 55 unions representing 12.5 million workers, in 2009.

He presided over the AFL-CIO at a time of increasing challenges for the American labor movement. Trumka had pushed U.S. lawmakers to revise trade deals and make it easier for unions to organize new members.

"Working people of America have lost a fierce warrior at a time when we needed him most," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat. "We have just lost a giant."

Local chapters of the labor group in Philadelphia and Ohio posted condolences on Twitter announcing his death. Many U.S. lawmakers also posted messages of condolences about Trumka.

An official for the labor organization and another major union president speaking on the condition of anonymity also confirmed the death to Reuters. A union spokeswoman did not immediately comment.

"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we have learned @AFLCIO President Richard Trumka has passed away. You have been a champion for workers and an incredible pillar in the fight for workers' rights," the Philadelphia unit tweeted.

"We will continue your never-ending fight for social and economic justice for every working person," the Ohio chapter also said on Twitter.

(Reporting by David Shephardson, Makini Brice, Jeff Mason and David Lawder; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Will Dunham)


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A very sad day. As a close personal friend put it, Trumka was the embodiment of the labor movement itself. He gave meaning to the dignity of work.






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HwkrPlt

Gonna be buried under Giants Stadium next to Jimmy?

TransWorld

How many ready mix trucks need to be at standby to place the concrete?

TonyC

I understand you're trying to be funny, which is actually pretty tacky, but I just thought I'd point out a couple of facts for you to consider.

Jimmy Hoffa was the President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). He was a crook, a thief, and a friend and an enemy of the Mafia, and he served time in jail for some of his antics. His antics and reputation set back the labor movement more than we may ever know.

Richard Trumka served as President of United Mine Workers of America, and later as president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). The IBT once was a member of AFL-CIO, but left in order to form Change to Win Federation.

To associate Richard Trumka, who had more class in his little finger than any of us will ever know, with the crime and mafia infested president of the Teamsters is grossly ignorant and patently offensive.


But you probably didn't know that, so there's that.








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METO Guido

Just as you know bulletin board scribbling and truck stop, bathroom graffiti exchanges aren't exactly chalk & cheese. You're right, it's not funny. Just like rolling through the vast landscape of roaring factory towns turned industrial badlands is not. There's Trumka the man and Trumka the suddenly gone labor lawyer titan. Both worthy of a dignified discussion that can't take place here. As far as that goes, whatever your political underpinning, Meto says, when respect is due, give it.
https://youtu.be/l-JW4DKxwQM

TransWorld

I was bouncing off the previous post. Of course, I was trying to be funny.

Sure I hit a nerve with you. Today, comedic styles of Johnny Carson and Bob Hope, being able to laugh at ourselves, in this hyper sensitive climate, are greatly offensive to snowflakes. Today, many of the comedians are espousing political positions, and are less about humor and poking fun on all sides of the political spectrum.

I respected Richard Trumka a lot more that Jimmy Hoffa. You probably didn’t know that.