Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on President Biden’s nomination of Julie Su as U.S. secretary of labor:
Simply put: There’s no one more dedicated and qualified to defend the fundamental rights of working people than Julie Su. It’s her life’s work. The AFL-CIO is thrilled with her historic nomination to become our nation’s next secretary of labor.
From her beginnings protecting immigrants and other vulnerable workers, to fiercely combatting wage theft and the abuse of low-wage workers in California, to her leadership of the U.S. Department of Labor with Secretary Marty Walsh, Su has distinguished herself as a principled fighter for the basic rights of every worker, no matter where we’re from or what kind of work we do. At this pivotal moment in history, that’s precisely the leadership America’s working people need in their next secretary of labor.
We commend President Joe Biden on this hugely important nomination. Biden realizes the challenges working people face, the opportunities before us and the critical need for the kind of deep expertise and creativity Deputy Secretary Su brings to his cabinet. This nomination was driven by the administration’s desire to do everything in its power to strengthen workers’ rights, including the freedom to form and join unions.
Julie Su is the right woman, at the right time, for this job. We thank Secretary Walsh for his service to workers and look forward to Su building on his success as secretary of labor.
In 2021, the Senate confirmed Su to serve as deputy secretary by a vote of 50-47. We urge the Senate to swiftly confirm her for this new role so she can continue, without interruption, the vital work of defending our nation’s working people.
Contact: Steve Smith, 202-637-5018