Harkins mourns loss of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Calls former labor leader true champion of workers’ rights

ERIE, Aug. 5 – State Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie, issued the following statement in response to news that AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has died:

“I was shocked and saddened to learn that labor leader Richard Trumka has died.

“I attended a labor event with Richard in Pittsburgh two years ago, and I was taken by the depth of his insight, the passion of his commitment to workers’ rights issues, and how gracious he was with his time.

“Richard was truly old-school labor, and he worked tirelessly to make life better for Pennsylvania workers – both union and non-union alike.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to Richard’s family. The commonwealth has lost a great asset to labor and a true champion of workers’ rights.”