Earlier today, our Local was saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of national AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka. A true labor leader hailing from right here in the Commonwealth, Trumka had been national president of the AFL-CIO since 2009.

He worked for more than a decade at the national level to further worker rights and workplace protections. A former coal miner, Trumka was known around the country for being a fierce champion of the union way of life.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends, as well as all those he touched inside and outside the Labor Movement.