Today we lost a legend in the labor movement, a champion for workers’ rights, and a dear friend of the Labor Center — Richard Trumka. We are all deeply saddened by this unexpected news.
The late AFL-CIO President learned the meaning of solidarity in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, and lived it every day. “My father and grandfather didn’t get out of the mines alive by taking care only of themselves. We did it with each other, for each other. United.”
We were honored to have Richard Trumka as a keynote speaker at our 2018 conference “Labor in the Climate Transition.” He said that day: “As a labor movement it’s our job to ignite the flames of justice. Not to contain them.” Richard’s legacy of igniting the flames of justice will live on in the labor movement as we strive together to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable economy.
We extend our deep condolences to Richard’s family and friends and the entire labor community.