Nigerian workers mourn death of Comrade Richard Trumka

By allcitynews.ng

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and all Nigerian workers expressed shock over the death of President of American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisation (AFL-CIO), Comrade Richard Trumka.

In its solidarity message, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the union was shocked and in heavy heart to received the news of the demise of Comrade Richard Trumka, the President of the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) earlier
today.

This is certainly the drawing of the curtains of an era of American
trade unionism. Certainly, the global trade union movement has lost a
very visible leader and strong voice for workers rights, social justice and
equality across racial and economic lines of divide.

According to Wabba, Comrade Richard Trumka the son of a second-generation Polish
American father, Frank Richard Trumka, and an Italian American
mother, Eola Elizabeth (Nee Bertugli) rose from the humble beginnings
of birth in Pennsylvania and after law school joined the United Mines
Workers of America (UMWA) as a staff attorney in 1974. He rose
through the ranks of the UMWA and was elected as its President in
1982.

In 1989, Richard Trumka led a nine-month strike against the
Pittston Coal Company, an action which became the symbol of
resistance against employer cutbacks and retrenchment of workers.

Africa also benefitted from Comrade Trumka’s principled commitment to
the promotion of freedom and rights for workers and oppressed people.

In the heady days of Apartheid in South Africa, Trumka established an
office that raised US mine workers solidarity with the miners in South
Africa. He also organized the US Shell boycott, an action directed at
challenging the multinational Royal Dutch /Shell Group for being in bed
with the Apartheid regime in South Africa.

In recognition of his
commitment to protecting and expanding the frontiers of decent work
and egalitarianism in the US and beyond, Trumka was in 1990 awarded
the Letelier Moffitt Human Rights Award, In 2018, Richard Trumka
became the first recipient of World Peace Prize for Labour Leadership.

Almost exactly four years ago, Richard Trumka, yet again, in a very
significant way demonstrated the strength of conviction that underpin
the class consciousness and globalism of the labour movement. On
August 15, 2017, Mr. Trumka quit President Donald Trump’s
Manufacturing Council for racist tainted statements.

These worthy
words of Richard Trumka will continue to echo for a long time to come:
“We cannot sit in a Council for a President who tolerates bigotry and
domestic terrorism… We must resign on behalf of America’s working
people, who reject all notions of legitimacy of these bigoted groups.”

As we reminisce on the life and times of one of the greatest Labour
Leaders of our times, we celebrate the strength of conviction, the force
of persuasion and the brilliance of engagement that has transmogrified
Richard Trumka into a global labour movement icon whose sacrifice,
commitment, solidarity and friendship with oppressed people
everywhere will never never never be forgotten!

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family left
behind by Richard Trumka especially his wife of so many years, Barbara
(Nee Vidovich) and his son. We also commiserate with the entire
leadership and membership of the AFL-CIO.

Your loss is our loss too.
Your pain is felt by workers all over the world. The sun will rise again!
Rest in Power, Brother Richard Trumka!!!