Labor Nominee's Withdrawal Is Victory for Working People
February 17, 2017
Categories:
DOL, The Insider
Andrew Puzder has withdrawn himself from consideration as President Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Labor. It's a major victory for working people and the unions they belong to, as they raised awareness of Puzder's long record of anti-worker activity.
Puzder is the CEO of the company that owns the Hardee's and Carl's Jr. fast food chains. He has been an outspoken critic of the wage and labor regulations he would have been in charge of enforcing as Labor secretary.
"No matter how you cut it, there is no worse pick for labor secretary than Andrew Puzder, and I'm encouraged my [colleagues] are starting to agree," said New York Senator Chuck Schumer prior to Puzder's decision. "He does not belong anywhere near the Labor Department, let alone at the head of it. Puzder's disdain for the American worker, the very people he would be responsible for protecting, is second to none."
Puzder's fast-food restaurant chains have had more federal discrimination lawsuits brought against them during his tenure than any other major restaurant chain. The Labor Department has repeatedly found the chains guilty of violating overtime and safety laws. Other charges filed against the company include wage theft, sexual harassment, and unfair labor practices.
The working people who have suffered the most under Puzder — his current and former employees — spoke out against him continuously since his nomination was announced on Dec. 8, 2016. when they took to the streets across the U.S. to protest his nomination. They called and wrote their members of Congress to express their frustration over the nominee.
AFGE President J. David Cox Sr. declared that the end of Puzder’s nomination is a victory for working people everywhere:
“President Trump needs to consider his next selection for Secretary of Labor very thoughtfully and nominate someone who will fight to protect workers from discrimination and believes that all employees are entitled to fair wages and safe workplaces,” Cox said.
