Tributes continue to come in for Mark Ayers, president of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), who died unexpectedly April 8 at age 63. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka calls Ayers an “extraordinary leader and friend.”

Ayers was a 38-year member of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) and served in several capacities before being elected BCTD president in 2007. IBEW President Edwin Hill says of Ayers:

I can’t think of anyone who worked harder to build our common movement. His steady hand and activist spirit steered the IBEW and the Building Trades through some of the toughest times we’ve ever faced. But more than that: Mark was my friend.

Click here for more on Ayers from the IBEW.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says she and Ayers “shared the same values.”

Whether it was fighting for investments in infrastructure and good construction jobs, securing decent wages and safe workplaces or protecting health benefits and pension plans, Mark stood proudly on the side of working people. And I was proud to stand with him.

Laborers (LIUNA) President Terry O’Sullivan says Ayers was a “true trade unionist and a valiant warrior for change.”

Ayers, says United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo Gerard, “set a standard as a trade unionist for us all to make the world a better place for everyone, but especially for those who struggle daily.”

Edward Wytkind, president of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), says:

Mark’s passion and commitment were apparent to all of us in his never-ending battle to put millions of construction workers on the job rebuilding our nation.

Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Harold Schaitberger says Ayers “knew the hardships of the people he fought for because, first and foremost, he was one of them.”

Everything he did revolved around making life better for those he stood shoulder to shoulder with on the job throughout his career.

Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) General President Joseph J. Nigro says, “Mark was committed to bettering the lives of working families, offering so much of himself through his service to the nation, his family, and to the labor movement.”

Bricklayers (BAC) President James Boland praises Ayers for:

His vision, guidance and a lifetime defending the rights of workers to fair wages, decent working conditions, good benefits and the chance to retire with dignity will live on to inspire not only those whose lives he touched but also future generations of trade unionists.

Ironworkers General President Walter Wise says from Ayers' "days as a Navy aviator and throughout his career with the IBEW Workers and his leadership of the Building and Construction Trades Department”:

He has stood as a true trade unionist and a man of impeccable character and integrity.

Ayers served as the chair of the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council since its founding in 2008. Union Veterans Council Director James Gilbert says:

On behalf of the officers, Executive Committee and Governing Board of the Union Veterans Council, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of President Ayers. As the founding chairperson of the AFL-CIO's Union Veterans Council, President Ayers' visionary leadership and determination were vital to the program’s success and will continue to serve as our inspiration in the future. President Ayers was an outspoken advocate for increased career and training opportunities and access to quality health care for our fellow veterans. The UVC will honor the work and memory of President Ayers by continuing the endeavors for which he championed. 

Veterans Council staff coordinator Gordon Pavy says, "His leadership was instrumental for its initial success and growth over the past four years. All union veterans salute Mark and send condolences to his family."

Jim Wasser, retired IBEW member and U.S. Navy veteran, says:

It was a great honor to have been with President Ayers for the founding of the Union Veterans Council in Ohio in 2008, and as a fellow Navy Vietnam veteran and IBEW member to have worked with him through the Union Veterans Council over the years. We will keep up the work he inspired us to do.

John Podesta, chairman of the Center for American Progress (CAP) says Ayers was “was a powerful progressive champion who left a long legacy of success in fighting to improve the lives of working people and to strengthen the competitiveness of the American economy.” He says CAP worked with Ayers and the BCTD on several projects including the

Clinton Global Initiative to create good jobs for working families through energy-saving building retrofits and infrastructure investment. In this effort and in all our work to build a strong, just, and sustainable American economy, CAP counted President Ayers and the unions he represented among our most important allies. 

Darryl Moch, executive director of the Labor Heritage Foundation (LHF), says Ayers was a strong supporter of the LHF over the years and of art and culture of the movement.

His spirit and presence will be with us forever as we continue to fight for working people all around this nation and the world.