Hilda Solis, future Secretary of Labor

[hfojvt]

Rachel Maddow was going through the schedule of confirmation hearings, and mentioned Solis as "a favorite of progressives". Which made me wonder why I have heard nothing about her. Perhaps because good news is ignored or buried.


"On Friday, Harold Meyerson, editor at large of the American Prospect, wrote an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times praising Solis' experience with labor issues in her Los Angeles district.

" a product and champion of the labor movement, a staunch environmentalist, an ardent feminist and one of the gutsiest elected officials in American politics. Solis personifies the best of the new Los Angeles," he wrote.

Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, said in a news release Thursday, "The daughter of two immigrant workers and union members ... she will be a secretary of labor working men and women can finally count on to stand up and fight for them.""

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/19/transition.wrap/

Of course, I have to love this (since I work as a janitor)

"Andy Stern, president of the 1.9-million member Service Employees International Union, the 51-year-old praised Solis for her deep roots in the union movement. He recalled marching with her in Los Angeles -- well before she was elected to Congress -- to seek higher wages and benefits for janitors."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/18/hilda-solis-labor-secreta_n_152139.html

"In any event, we’re about to see something different at the U.S. Department of Labor. It will be more activist, likely cracking down on employers that are suspected of violating the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Employers can expect more investigations by the DOL, more fines and penalties — in other words, a more employee-friendly, union-friendly approach."

http://employmentlawpost.com/theword/2008/12/23/hilda-solis-secretary-of-labor-nominee-say-union-yes/

[hfojvt]

1. on CSpan2 right now

Lamar Alexander pressing for support for the "right to work law". What does that law do?

[WI_DEM]

2. anti-union--keeps unions out.

[DemoTex]

3. Let the banner fly again ..