Pittsburgh workers’ groups delivered petitions to Republican U.S. Senator Pat Toomey Monday, asking him to oppose the nomination of President Trump’s nominee for labor secretary.
Last week, Andy Puzder’s confirmation hearing was delayed for the third time, while he completes the required ethics paperwork.
A coalition including the Fight for $15 and United Food and Commercial Workers gathered 300,000 signatures on a nationwide petition opposing the nominee. SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania’s Chief of Staff Gabe Kramer said 15,000 signatures came from the commonwealth.
“It would take us backwards,” Kramer said. “Andy Puzder looks like the kind of a nomination which is designed to undo the type of work the labor department is supposed to do to help working families.”
Puzder is CEO of CKE Foods, parent company of Carl’s Junior and Hardee's. He’s been a vocal opponent of raising the minimum wage and expanding eligibility for overtime pay.
Pres. Trump said Puzder, "has created and boosted the careers of thousands of Americans and his extensive record fighting for workers makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Department of Labor."
Toomey has not commented on Puzder’s nomination, which will not come before his committees. His hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7.
