Rich Trumka died this week, of a heart attack at the age of 72. He led the AFL-CIO for 12 years, and before that, the United Mine Workers.

Trumka, who devoted his life to working people, was a relentless champion of workers’ rights, workplace safety, worker-centered trade, democracy and so much more. He was also a devoted father, grandfather, husband, brother, coach, colleague and friend. And he loved labor history.

Two years ago, he sat down with labor historian Joe McCartin for a conversation for this podcast on the 30th anniversary of the Pittston strike.

Trumka’s schedule was always jammed – as Joe said on the Your Rights At Work radio show last Thursday, he couldn’t help thinking that probably contributed to the stress on Trumka’s body that killed him – but once miked up and settled down with in a little room at the AFL-CIO, Rich was totally relaxed, as if he had all the time in the world. 

We’re replaying Part 1 of that interview on today’s show, which focuses on the Pittston strike; here’s a link to Part 2, in which Trumka discusses the current state – and the future -- of the American labor movement. 

One last thing: on Saturday, August 14, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern Time, Richard Trumka’s family is giving the public the opportunity to pay its respects to the labor legend who passed away on August 5. Rich is making one last trip to the House of Labor, a place and an idea that he loved so much. All safety protocols will be strictly enforced, including mask requirements and social distancing. The AFL-CIO is located at 815 Black Lives Matter Plaza (16th St. NW), Washington, D.C.

Produced by Chris Garlock. To contribute a labor history item, email [email protected]

Labor History Today is produced by the Metro Washington Council’s Union City Radio and the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University.

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