WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden mentioned Wednesday that his labor secretary nominee, Julie Su, is a “real leader” who has supported unions, enforced employee security and guarded the victims of human trafficking.
“Julie is the American dream,” Biden mentioned in remarks on the White House. “She’s committed to making sure that dream is in reach for every American.”
The daughter of an immigrant mom who arrived on a cargo ship, Su mentioned she believes “in the transformative power of America.” She famous {that a} union job gave her dad and mom a path to the center class, one which ultimately led her to varsity at Stanford University and legislation faculty at Harvard University.
“To all workers who are toiling in the shadows, know that we see you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you,” Su mentioned.
Su, the present deputy labor secretary, would exchange the departing incumbent, former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, whom Biden hailed by saying, “If I ever want anybody in the foxhole with me, I want Marty Walsh.”
A civil rights lawyer and former head of California’s labor division, Su was central to negotiations between labor and freight rail corporations late final yr, working to avert an economically debilitating strike. She additionally has labored to broaden worker coaching packages and crack down on wage theft. If confirmed by the Senate, Su would even be the primary Asian American within the Biden administration to serve within the Cabinet on the secretary stage.
Su was thought-about to guide the division when Biden received the White House however as a substitute grew to become the division’s deputy. Walsh introduced his intention to go away the administration earlier this month to guide the National Hockey League Players’ Association. Su will function the performing secretary till the Senate acts on her nomination.
Biden had been underneath strain from the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and different Asian American and Pacific Islander advocates to pick Su to go the division. This administration was the primary in additional than 20 years to not have a Cabinet secretary of AAPI descent, regardless of its common declarations that it was probably the most numerous in historical past. Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai are of AAPI descent however don’t lead a Cabinet division.
Acknowledging twice the push by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., to have an AAPI Cabinet secretary, Biden joked Wednesday that if he didn’t choose Su, he can be “run out of town.”
Su, if confirmed, would additionally develop nearly all of ladies serving within the president’s Cabinet. She was confirmed by the Senate to her present position in 2021 by a 50–47 vote.
The Labor Department mentioned simply 10.1% of employees final yr had been union members. That determine has been lower almost in half since 1983 and will fall additional, as youthful employees are much less prone to belong to unions.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”