August 09, 2021

Retirees Mourn the Death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

The 4.4 million members of the Alliance for Retired Americans are united in mourning the untimely death of Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO. He was 72.

“Richard Trumka was a legendary labor leader and he was also my friend. Working people had no more committed advocate, and he will be greatly missed but never forgotten,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. ”He was our Alliance founding Secretary-Treasurer and he helped build a retiree movement that will be an important part of his legacy. He also established a Retirement Security Working Group at the AFL-CIO devoted to protecting the pensions that have been promised to millions of workers and retirees across the country. He fought to make sure all workers have a voice on the job, a fair wage and a secure retirement — a mission we will continue to fulfill in his memory.”

“Richard Trumka had a special connection to the Alliance for Retired Americans and a deep commitment to retirement security for all,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “As a fellow western Pennsylvanian I first met President Trumka when he was a leader of the United Mine Workers of America, working tirelessly to make sure workers received the pension, health care and Social Security benefits they have earned. He inspired us all each and every day. We will miss him deeply.”

The Alliance sends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who worked with him over his many years of service to workers everywhere.