Statement of New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on the passing of AFL-CIO President Emeritus John Sweeney

Albany, NY - John Sweeney was one of the true giants of the labor movement.

At one point in his decades-long career as a union activist and labor leader, he served proudly on the board of the New York State AFL-CIO where we felt his visionary leadership and devotion to our movement firsthand.

Born in the Bronx in 1934, John found a calling to improve the lives of working people and passionately fought to organize workers rising to president of the National AFL-CIO until his retirement in 2009.

Our hearts are with John’s family during this most difficult time.