Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO chief and influential union leader, dies at 72

Washington – Richard Trumka, the leader of the AFL-CIO union and a powerful force in Democratic politics, died suddenly on Thursday at the age of 72.

Tim Schlittner, director of communications for the AFL-CIO, confirmed Trumka’s death in a statement, saying the country “has lost a legend today.”

“Rich Trumka has dedicated his life to workers, from his early days as president of the United Mine Workers of America to his unprecedented leadership as the voice of the American labor movement,” Schlittner said, calling it “a relentless champion of the United Mine Workers of America. workers’ rights “.

In the White House, President Biden said Trumka was “more than the head of the AFL-CIO, he was a very close personal friend.” The president said Trumka died while on a camping trip with his grandsons.

“At least he was with people who adore him,” Mr. Biden said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer mourned Trumka in a moving Senate speech, saying the country had “lost a fierce warrior at a time when we needed him most.”

“He had in his veins, in every atom of his body, the heart, the thoughts, the needs of American workers,” said the Democratic leader.

Trumka has led the 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO since 2009, when he was elected president. Before becoming president of the union group, Trumka was secretary-treasurer for 14 years.

He grew up in the mining town of Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, in a family of coal miners before attending Penn State University and Villanova University Law School. Trumka became the youngest elected president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), winning election in 1982 at the age of 33.

As head of UMWA, he led “one of the most successful strikes in recent American history” against a coal company that attempted to bypass payments to a health and pension fund, according to his. AFL-CIO biography.

Alan He contributed reporting.