OHIO AFL-CIO ENDORSES RICH TRUMKA FOR PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL AFL-CIO

The Ohio AFL-CIO has endorsed Rich Trumka for the president of the National AFL-CIO. The state federation represents more than 40 national unions in Ohio with 700,000 members throughout the state. It made the endorsement at its executive board meeting on May 29.  

Ohio AFL-CIO President Joe Rugola said, “Those of us who know Rich believe that he is the clear choice to lead the American labor movement through these most difficult times.” 

“Rich is the most articulate and passionate voice for the middle class and working families in the country today. That is why our Ohio executive board’s endorsement was both unanimous and enthusiastic.”

Trumka has served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the National AFL-CIO since 1995, when he was elected along with current President John Sweeney, who will retire at the National AFL-CIO Convention to be held in Pittsburgh in September. 

Trumka was elected as the youngest president of the United Mine Workers in 1982, at 33, and served three terms as president of the union, which he led back into the AFL-CIO in 1989. Trumka is expected to lead an aggressive bottom-up program to rebuild the American labor movement and to restore it to its role as the preeminent advocate for all working families. 

“Rich has been a great friend to working families in Ohio. He is a personal friend to many of the leaders of our Ohio unions and a great personal friend of mine.  He has our full trust and confidence and we look forward to his leadership for many years to come,” Rugola said.

The National AFL-CIO represents 11 million workers in 55 international unions across the country.