Tom Conway Mourned: Newark Native, Steelworker Union Leader Dies At 71

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey is mourning the loss of Newark native and well-known labor leader, Tom Conway, who died at the age of 71 at his home in Pittsburgh last week.

Conway first became an activist with the United Steelworkers (USW) union in 1978, when he went to work as a millwright at the Burns Harbor Works of Bethlehem Steel. He joined the union's international staff in 1987, was elected as USW international vice president in 2005, and was elected as the president in 2019.

During this time, Conway became known for his “quick wit, formidable bargaining skills and unwavering devotion to workers and their families,” according to a statement from the union.

“From his earliest time making steel, to his steady hand leading us through the darkest days of the pandemic, Tom followed two simple guiding principles: the dignity of work and the power of working people,” said David McCall, the USW's international vice president of administration.

“Tom was never afraid of a fight, and thanks to his ingenuity and determination, generations of workers can enjoy better jobs and brighter futures,” McCall said.

Conway – whom The New York Times described as a “friend and unofficial adviser to President Joe Biden” – was also a founding board member of the BlueGreen Alliance, a coalition of labor groups and environmental organizations.

Gov. Phil Murphy was among those offering his condolences.

“Today we mourn the passing & celebrate the legacy of Tom Conway, International President of the @steelworkers,” Murphy wrote on social media.

“A native of Newark, Tom was a dedicated advocate for working people who worked tirelessly to extend union benefits to workers in other fields,” the governor added. “He will be dearly missed.”

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