RWDSU President Appelbaum Welcomes Solis Appointment (12/18/08)

Hilda Solis

The following is a statement by RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum in response to news reports that President-elect Obama has selected of U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor.

Hilda Solis is outstanding. She has demonstrated a life-long commitment to working people and, like President-elect Obama himself, knows first-hand how unions can lift poverty wage workers into the middle-class.

Since the RWDSU is deeply involved in organizing immigrants working in retail, food processing, poultry and other industries, I'm particularly thrilled  by the prospect of having a labor secretary who shares our outrage over the abuse immigrant workers face each day.

Obviously, I'm also delighted by the fact that Rep. Solis is a committed advocate for the Employee Free Choice Act.

Hilda Solis clearly shares President-elect Obama's passion for the cause of America's workers. The RWDSU  looks forward to working with her after her confirmation.