ATU International President John Costa released the following statement on the passing of AFL-CIO President Emeritus Tom Donahue:
“Tom Donahue was a visionary leader in the labor movement. Growing up in the Bronx, New York, his father, a union deckhand on Staten Island Ferry, taught him the importance of joining a union. A lifelong organizer, he began his career as an organizer with the Retail Clerks International Union in New York City and held several positions at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), eventually rising to serve as Secretary-Treasurer and President of the AFL-CIO. Tom helped develop the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute. He will be remembered for his tireless work on behalf of the working people. We send our deepest condolences to Tom’s wife, children, grandchildren, and everyone he impacted through his lifelong commitment to the labor movement.”