AFL-CIO President Trumka, Prominent U.S. Labor Leader, Dies

WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (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)