Change to Win Commends Solis

Chris Chafe-WASHINGTON, DC – Change to Win chair Anna Burger issued the following statement regarding today’s House Education and Labor Committee hearing on what the Dept. of Labor is doing to strengthen the economy and improve the lives of American workers.

"In the midst of this continuing economic crisis – when millions of Americans are out of work, losing benefits, and losing ground – it is crucial to make the economy strong for working people again. After decades of erosion in the Department of Labor’s resources and capacity to fulfill its mandate, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis arrived with a clear sense of mission: good and safe jobs for everyone. What a difference a year makes!

“To address the immediate challenges facing workers today, Secretary Solis has worked to make certain that unemployed workers received needed unemployment benefits including assistance with paying for their health insurance.

“To help workers and companies prepare for the emerging economic trends, Solis made new green jobs training grants and other job training opportunities available to all.

“Under her strong leadership, Solis is protecting America’s workers and families by initiating rulemakings on long-recognized hazards such as construction cranes, the food flavoring diacetyl, and combustible dust. She renewed efforts to combat child labor and wage theft. She reinstated decent wages for farm workers, which was among many protections gutted by the previous Administration on its way out the door. And by rebuilding her investigatory and legal staff, Solis has made the enforcement of workers’ rights the touchstone of the agency’s work.

“We look forward to continuing to work alongside Secretary Solis to help restore the economy, rebuild the working middle class, and renew the American dream for America’s workers.”