Worker Protests Force Puzder Withdrawal

Today’s news that Andrew Puzder has withdrawn as the Secretary of Labor nominee shows the power of workers coming together with other activists to make themselves seen and heard. The development comes after weeks of rallies, press events, calls and social media efforts to demonstrate how alarmingly unfit Puzder is for Secretary of Labor.

“Mr. Puzder’s track record showed he would have been unable to execute the core responsibility of the Secretary of Labor:  ‘to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of the United States, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment.’ He has been a staunch opponent of any measure that would allow workers to earn paid sick days so they don’t have to work sick or face loss of pay or event employment. He also opposed giving minimum wage workers a long-overdue raise. His opposition to these protections shows how out of touch Mr. Puzder is with the American people and the needs of working families. His history of violations of workplace standards should have disqualified himself from consideration for a position overseeing enforcement of those very standards.

“The administration should take this opportunity to nominate someone for Secretary of labor who will prioritize the well-being of wage earners and work to improve, rather than impede, their advancement. Anyone who falls short of this requirement will meet the same kind of opposition.”

– Ellen Bravo and Wendy Chun-Hoon, co-directors, Family Values @ Work