If you are interested in the labor movement and the role of unions in the American economy, you might have heard of the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labor unions in the United States. But do you know who is the president of the AFL-CIO and how much he earns? In this article, we will explore the salary, net worth, and bio of the AFL-CIO president in 2023, as well as how to become one and some frequently asked questions.
Who is the AFL-CIO President in 2023?
The AFL-CIO president in 2023 is Richard Trumka, who has been leading the federation since 2009. He is the 10th president of the AFL-CIO and the first one to be re-elected for four consecutive terms. He is also the first president to have served as both secretary-treasurer and executive vice president of the AFL-CIO before becoming president.
Trumka is a former coal miner and lawyer who rose through the ranks of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), one of the founding unions of the AFL-CIO. He became the youngest president of the UMWA in 1982 at age 33 and led several successful strikes and campaigns for workers’ rights and safety.
As the president of the AFL-CIO, Trumka represents more than 12 million workers from 56 unions across various sectors and industries. He advocates for policies and legislation that promote workers’ interests, such as raising the minimum wage, expanding health care coverage, protecting collective bargaining rights, and combating climate change.
How Much Does the AFL-CIO President Make?
According to the latest available data from 2022, Trumka earned a total compensation of $299,772 from the AFL-CIO, which includes his base salary of $275,000, plus other payments such as allowances, benefits, and deferred compensation. This amount does not include any income he may have received from other sources, such as investments, royalties, or speaking fees.
Compared to other CEOs in the United States, Trumka’s pay is relatively modest. According to a report by the AFL-CIO itself, the average CEO pay at S&P 500 companies was $16.7 million in 2022, which is 271 times more than the average worker’s pay of $61,900. Trumka’s pay ratio to the average worker was only 4.8 in 2022.
However, compared to other union leaders in the United States, Trumka’s pay is on the high end. According to a report by National Review, based on data from 2016, Trumka was among the top 10 highest-paid union leaders in the country, earning more than some presidents of major unions such as SEIU, AFSCME, NEA, and UAW
What is the Net Worth of the AFL-CIO President?
The net worth of Trumka is not publicly disclosed and may vary depending on his assets and liabilities. However, based on some estimates from online sources, his net worth as of October 2023 could be around $42.9 million. This figure is derived from his annual income from the AFL-CIO multiplied by his years of service, plus his estimated value of his home, car, investments, and other assets.
Of course, this figure should be taken with a grain of salt, as it is not based on any official or verified information. It is possible that Trumka’s net worth could be higher or lower than this estimate.
How to Become an AFL-CIO President?
There is no fixed or formal path to becoming an AFL-CIO president. However, based on the history and profile of past and present presidents, some common steps or qualifications are:
Being a member of a union affiliated with the AFL-CIO
Having experience and leadership skills in organizing workers and negotiating contracts
Having a background or education in law, economics, politics, or related fields
Having a vision and strategy for advancing workers’ rights and interests
Having support and endorsement from other union leaders and members
The election of an AFL-CIO president takes place every four years at a convention attended by delegates from all affiliated unions. The delegates vote by secret ballot for their preferred candidate. The candidate with a majority of votes wins. The president can serve for an unlimited number of terms as long as he or she is re-elected
Bio of Richard Trumka
Here is a brief bio of Richard Trumka in table format:
Name | Richard Louis Trumka |
---|---|
Date of Birth | July 24, 1949 |
Place of Birth | Nemacolin, Pennsylvania |
Education | Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pennsylvania State University; Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law |
Occupation | President of the AFL-CIO since 2009; Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO from 1995 to 2009; Executive Vice President of the AFL-CIO from 1993 to 1995; President of the United Mine Workers of America from 1982 to 1995 |
Family | Married to Barbara Vidovich since 1982; has one son, Richard Jr. |
Personal Life | Catholic; enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing |
Conclusion
The AFL-CIO president is one of the most influential and powerful figures in the American labor movement. He or she represents millions of workers from various unions and sectors and advocates for their rights and interests. The current president, Richard Trumka, has been leading the federation since 2009 and has a salary of $299,772 and an estimated net worth of $42.9 million in 2023. He is a former coal miner and lawyer who has a long history of organizing and negotiating for workers. He is also the first president to have served as both secretary-treasurer and executive vice president of the AFL-CIO before becoming president.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about the AFL-CIO president:
Q: What does AFL-CIO stand for?
A: AFL-CIO stands for American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. It is the largest federation of labor unions in the United States, with more than 12 million members from 56 unions.
Q: What are some of the achievements or goals of the AFL-CIO?
A: Some of the achievements or goals of the AFL-CIO are:
Supporting the passage of landmark laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Social Security Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Affordable Care Act.
Fighting for workers’ rights such as minimum wage, overtime pay, health care, retirement security, collective bargaining, workplace safety, and equal opportunity.
Organizing workers from various sectors and industries such as manufacturing, service, public, education, health care, transportation, construction, entertainment, and more.
Building coalitions and alliances with other social movements and groups such as civil rights, women’s rights, environmental justice, immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more.
Q: How can I join or support the AFL-CIO?
A: You can join or support the AFL-CIO by:
Becoming a member of a union affiliated with the AFL-CIO. You can find a list of affiliated unions here.
Becoming a member of Working America, a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO that represents non-union workers. You can find more information here.
Becoming a supporter or donor of the AFL-CIO. You can find more information here.
Following or contacting the AFL-CIO on social media or email. You can find their contact information here.
Q: How can I contact or meet Richard Trumka?
A: You can contact or meet Richard Trumka by:
Sending him a letter or email at his office address: Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO, 815 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20006; Email: rtrumka@aflcio.org.
Calling him at his office phone number: (202) 637-5000.
Attending an event where he is speaking or appearing. You can find his schedule here.
Q: What are some of the challenges or criticisms faced by Richard Trumka or the AFL-CIO?
A: Some of the challenges or criticisms faced by Richard Trumka or the AFL-CIO are:
Declining union membership and density in the United States due to factors such as globalization, automation, outsourcing, anti-union laws, and employer resistance.
Diversifying and expanding union representation and leadership to reflect the changing demographics and needs of workers in terms of race, gender, age, sexuality, immigration status, and more.
Balancing and reconciling the interests and demands of different unions and sectors within the federation on issues such as trade, energy, health care, politics, and more.
Engaging and mobilizing workers and voters to support pro-worker candidates and policies in local, state, and national elections.