From The New York Times:
Mr. Trumka was elected to lead the federation in 2009, after serving as secretary-treasurer, its second-ranking official, since 1995, and president of the United Mine Workers of America before that.
Under the A.F.L.-C.I.O. constitution, the federation’s current secretary-treasurer, Liz Shuler, will take over as president until its executive council can meet to elect a successor. The federation’s next presidential election was originally scheduled to take place this year, but was delayed until next year because of the pandemic.
While the percentage of Americans represented by unions continued its long-term decline on his watch, to less than 11 percent, Mr. Trumka was close to the two Democratic presidents during his tenure, and had been an influential outside voice in helping to shape President Biden’s ambitious jobs and infrastructure proposals.
Mr. Trumka, a third-generation coal miner from Pennsylvania, went to work as a staff attorney for the United Mine Workers after getting his law degree. In 1982, at 33, he was elected on a reform ticket to head the mine workers’ union.