Date of Birth: July 24, 1949
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: August 5, 2021
Biography
Richard Louis Trumka was a prominent American labor leader and activist who served as the president of the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) from 2009 until his death in 2021. He was born into a working-class family of coal miners and followed in his family’s footsteps by working in the mines himself. Trumka graduated from Pennsylvania State University and later earned a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law. He began his career as an attorney for the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) before becoming the union’s president in 1982. During his tenure, he led significant strikes and was instrumental in advocating for workers’ rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions. Trumka’s leadership at the AFL-CIO was marked by efforts to modernize the labor movement, address income inequality, and support progressive political causes.
5 Interesting Facts about Richard Trumka
1. Richard Trumka was the youngest person ever elected president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) at the age of 33.
2. He played a significant role in the Pittston Coal strike of 1989-1990, a pivotal event in U.S. labor history.
3. Trumka was a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act and worked tirelessly to ensure its passage.
4. He was known for his advocacy against racial discrimination within the labor movement and beyond.
5. Under his leadership, the AFL-CIO became more involved in political activism, endorsing candidates and policies that supported workers’ rights.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Trumka
1. “We need an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.”
2. “The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress.”
3. “We cannot have a vibrant democracy without a strong labor movement.”
4. “It’s not enough to have a job; you need a job that can support a family.”
5. “The best way to honor the past labor leaders is to make sure that the future for workers is better.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Richard Trumka’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Richard Trumka had one child, a son named Richard Trumka Jr.
Relevant Links
1. [AFL-CIO Biography of Richard Trumka](https://aflcio.org/about/leadership/richard-trumka
2. [New York Times Obituary](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/us/richard-trumka-dead.html
5. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Richard-Trumka
