Last week we lost a legend of labor with the sudden passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. A huge hole has certainly been left in the labor movement and in the hearts of union members he served across this great union. OCSEA is feeling the void of his loss but rejoicing in the legacy he left behind. The union pledges to help finish the job he started by continuing to fight for the passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
Acting President and Secretary-Treasurer Liz Schuler honored his legacy with these words last week:
He’ll be remembered in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania: where he was a third-generation coal miner, who left for a law degree and came back to fight for his community.
And he’ll be remembered on every picket line. In every fight to better the lives of working people.
Rich Trumka is a legend. And legends are always remembered, even if we lose them.
He gave the labor movement everything he had, and so will we. We’ll keep fighting for you, Rich.
Brother Trumka will lie in repose at the AFL-CIO Headquarters in Washington D.C. this Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Rich's family is giving the public the opportunity to pay their respects as he makes one last trip to the House of Labor, a place and an idea that he loved so much. Go here to read his obituary and get information about a live streaming service to take place Aug. 12.