Commentary
Richard Trumka,
1949-2021

From the Minneapolis Labor Review, August 21, 2021

By Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, President,
Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation

Richard Trumka never wavered on his commitment to workers across this globe. For a leader serving during some of the United States’ most tumultuous times, he left a legacy of accomplishments as president of the United Mine Workers and as president of the AFL-CIO.

A new era of labor organizing was born under President Trumka’s leadership of AFL-CIO. Immigrant rights became labor rights. Fair trade became a priority. Right to Work was stopped in communities across this country. “Black Lives Matter” was draped across the AFL-CIO headquarters.

Richard Trumka knew that for the labor movement to grow, all workers needed a seat at the table.

Richard Trumka knew that for the labor movement to grow, all workers needed a seat at the table. He fought for this every day. Whenever there was a fight to take workers’ rights away, he was there and never backed down.

The labor movement is not one person — and never will be. It is all of us. We will mourn the sudden passing of Richard Trumka by organizing together. The best thing we can do in Richard Trumka’s name is to pass the PRO Act together.

The labor movement has a renewed sense of urgency to make sure that the PRO Act makes it across the finish line. The PRO Act will help balance the playing field for workers within our legal system and within our government structures.

However, the PRO Act will not organize workers on its own. We must do that together. Together we will talk to coworkers, neighbors and friends about how to win a voice in the workplace. We will open doors so all workers of every race can join together. We will go into industries we’ve historically been shut out of. We will reverse decades of austerity and come together to fight for prosperity for workers.

We will do this work in honor of President Trumka. We will do this work in honor of every worker who makes our communities run.

Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou was re-elected December 11, 2019 to a second four-year term as president of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.

Contact MRLF president Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou at 612-321-5670 or chelsie@minneapolisunions.org.