Bush Picks Chavez to Head DOL

Jan. 4, 2001
President-elect George W. Bush has, at the outset of his administration, antagonized organized labor by choosing Linda Chavez to lead the Department of Labor.

During the presidential campaign President-elect George W. Bush promised to bring people together, but in choosing conservative veteran Linda Chavez to lead the Department of Labor (DOL) Bush has, at the outset of his administration, antagonized organized labor.

John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO reacted quickly and harshly to yesterdays announcement of Chavezs nomination: It is an insult to American working men and women to put an avowed opponent of the most basic workers rights in charge of enforcing federal labor laws.

As the head of the Civil Rights Commission under President Reagan Chavez opposed affirmative action programs, and Sweeney charged she has also come out against the federal minimum wage.

A former union member and liberal Democrat, Chavez is now a nationally syndicated columnist, author, and founder of the Center for Equal Opportunity, a conservative think tank that examines race and assimilation issues.

In 1986 she won the Republican nomination to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate, but lost the general election.

Without a background in occupational safety and health, it is not certain what Chavez plans to do with OSHA.

Peg Seminario, director of safety and health at the AFL-CIO said she hopes the new administration will choose candidates who are less ideological and more experienced than Chavez to sub-cabinet positions.

We dont need an ideologue heading OSHA, we need a safety and health professional, she said.

Seminario noted that in the elder Bushs administration Jerry Scannell, an experienced and respected safety professional, was selected as OSHA Administrator.

At the news conference called to make the nomination announcement, Chavez pledged to promote safe working conditions and to vigorously enforce the departments regulations.

Randy Johnson, vice president for labor and employee benefits at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said Chavez understands the perspectives of the business community better than anyone who headed DOL during the Clinton Administration.

She has the right backgroundwell be able to work with her, said Pat Cleary, vice president for human resources policy at the National Association of Manufacturers.

Cleary said the primary point for his organization was to have a DOL secretary not beholden to organized labor. Judging by Sweeneys statement, beholden to organized labor Chavez is not. She started in the labor movement, offered Cleary,that may allow her to do some outreach with them.

James Nash

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!