Dear Senator:
On behalf of the AFL-CIO, representing 12.5 million working people and 60 affiliate unions, I urge you to support the confirmation of acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su as the secretary of labor. Acting Secretary Su has compiled an impressive record of success leading the department since Secretary Marty Walsh’s departure last March, and possesses the knowledge, dedication and commitment necessary to continue building and modernizing the department to best serve the diverse workforce now, and into the future.
Acting Secretary Su brings extensive experience to the job through her distinguished career, advocating for low-wage and immigrant workers, as secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency and deputy and acting secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor. Over the course of her career, she has collaborated with a diverse set of stakeholders, including unions, officials at every level of government and employers, from the largest corporations to the smallest businesses.
During her tenure as acting secretary, she has prioritized both enforcement of worker protections and assistance to employers navigating the hundreds of laws and regulations administered by the department. She has been a leader in the Biden administration’s effort to revitalize our workforce development system, fostering partnerships that provide pathways to quality jobs for women, communities of color and others who have been denied the opportunity to succeed.
Acting Secretary Su has consistently demonstrated a commitment to protecting workers' rights and the fair enforcement of workplace laws, while at the same time addressing emerging workplace issues like artificial intelligence. Her experience and passion for the job of labor secretary make her the ideal candidate to lead the U.S. Department of Labor to meet the needs of today’s evolving workforce. We strongly urge you to support her confirmation.