The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is proud to dedicate the 25th Annual Labor Candidates School in honor of AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka, our leader and friend who dedicated his life to improving the lives and working conditions of every American.
President Trumka was an enthusiastic supporter of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates Program, which the national AFL-CIO recognized as America’s gold standard through the 2019 Path to Progress Award. This prestigious award was presented after the New Jersey State AFL-CIO guided the election of more union members to public office in 2019 than any other state federation.
As the 25th Annual Labor Candidates School commences, and as we dedicate our work this weekend in his honor, let us reaffirm our commitment to the union values and high moral standards President Trumka lived by.
To do so, let’s tirelessly continue advocating for passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which President Trumka vigorously campaigned for. The PRO Act will strengthen federal labor laws to guarantee that working men and women can form unions without corporate interference and collectively bargain for good wages and benefits, safe and healthy workplaces, a voice in how employers treat their employees, and the respect and dignity that are the birthrights of every person.
This legislation, which is being renamed the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act in his honor, incorporates every one of the values he followed as his North Star.