Richard Trumka marked the history of trade unionism in the United States as the president of the AFL-CIO. Besides fighting for the rights of millions of American workers, he always had international attention and solidarity for the causes of the working class, supporting fair struggles in several countries around the world.
I will always owe Trumka and the AFL-CIO a debt of gratitude for the visit he did to me while I was imprisoned in Curitiba, and for the attention and solidarity he always had with Brazil and Brazilian workers. Trumka will be sorely missed in the United States and around the world. To your family, friends and companions my condolences.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
