By Ed Diokno
Views from the Edge
President Donald Trump’s pick to become Labor Secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from nomination after a videotape of his ex-wife alleging domestic abuse surfaced.
Puzder, the CEO of the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. fast food chains, who has seen his hearings delayed multiple times because he failed to fill out required financial and ethics forms, could not overcome the extremely damaging tapes by his former wife, Lisa Fierstein.
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) vehemently opposed the confirmation of Puzder.
“A millionaire whose appalling track record has demonstrated his opposition to overtime pay and increasing the minimum wage and whose companies also have a history of workers’ rights violations, Puzder has no place in leading an agency meant to protect the very workers his companies continue to exploit,” declared Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President and Assistant Executive Director of the United Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local 3930.
“Let Puzder’s withdrawal be an example of how powerful organizing can be,” said Puno. “Puzder was only one nomination in a larger set of Cabinet picks who seriously threaten the lives and freedom of people of color, women, LGBTQ communities, and all other marginalized groups, we call on our members, co-conspirators, and allies to continue to resist, organize, and fight back against this administration that is intentionally targeting and attacking our diverse communities and working families nationwide.”
Asian American lawmakers posted messages expressed a sigh of relief:
Puzder withdrawal & Flynn resignation show the following: Truth eventually prevails. The resistance is working. Thank goodness for the press
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 15, 2017
Withdrawing Puzder’s nom is a win for American workers, labor protections, and, well, basic common sense #SwampCabinet
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) February 15, 2017
Last month, I met several workers who were denied paid leave and were required to serve and prep food when they were sick while they worked for Andrew Puzder’s fast food corporation” Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, said in a statement. “No one should be forced to choose between taking care of themselves or a sick family member and earning a paycheck they cannot afford to go without. It was a mistake to nominate someone like Mr. Puzder who has spent his career exploiting workers and racking up labor violations. I hope the President chooses someone more qualified to lead the Labor Department.”
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