November 20 – In light of reports that Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer is being considered for Secretary of Labor by President-Elect Trump, the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace issues the following statement, which can be attributed to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:

“We were alarmed by press reports that President-Elect Trump is considering Rep. Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor given her past support of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which is a signature bill for President Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders and opposed by the vast majority of Republicans. The legislation has been repeatedly rejected on a bipartisan basis by Congress and opposed by business groups representing almost every industry, as was evident when 280 organizations signed onto a CDW letter opposing the bill in July 2021. The PRO Act would deprive employees of their right to a secret ballot and their privacy in union representation elections. It would also impose overly broad liability for ‘joint employment,’ limiting opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and create rigid standards for independent contractors, undermining workers’ ability to work independently.

“A Secretary of Labor should work to protect workers and employers’ rights and promote economic growth. Chavez-DeRemer’s support of the PRO Act raises legitimate concerns about her possible nomination. We hope President-Elect Trump gives careful consideration to her past support of this anti-worker, anti-business legislation as he evaluates her candidacy.”