He oversaw strikes and shaped legislation on Capitol Hill while emerging as one of labor’s most prominent leaders. : Richard Trumka, a third-generation coal miner who became one of the nation’s most politically influential labor leaders, representing more than 12 million workers as the president of the AFL-CIO, died Aug. 5 at 72. His death was confirmed by labor federation spokesman Tim Schlittner, who did not provide additional details. Speaking to reporters Thursday, President Biden called Mr. Trumka a close friend and said he died while on a camping trip with family.