Despite what you've heard, Trump's labor pick is pro-worker

The Patriot-News ^ | February 1, 2017 | Alfredo Ortiz

[2ndDivisionVet]

While President Donald Trump is making his way through his first weeks in office, his cabinet nominees are undergoing another week of grueling confirmation hearings.

Proponents hope that they can quickly be confirmed and get started bringing reforms to increase American prosperity and security.

At the top of the list of nominees who can help reinvigorate the small business community, which drives the nation's job and economic growth, is labor secretary nominee Andy Puzder.

Puzder knows how to create jobs and finally raise wages for working Americans. This is evidenced not only by his copious writing on the subject but also by his success as CEO of CKE Restaurants. Under his tenure, CKE, which owns the restaurants Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, has grown from a multi-million dollar company into a billion dollar brand.

The country needs this leadership now. Despite a string of positive economic indicators in recent months, labor-force participation - including participation of "prime-age" people - is hovering near a generational low.

There are nearly two million long-term unemployed Americans. And millions more American employees can't get enough hours and are forced to work multiple jobs. Median household income hasn't increased in almost two decades.

Puzder has seen firsthand - with 3,000 domestic franchises employing 75,000 Americans -- how Labor Department over-regulation contributes to this stagnant labor market.

His employees and franchisees have had to contend with the Labor Department's proposals to double the overtime exemption salary threshold, dramatically raise the minimum wage, and push for a "joint employer" mandate that would upend the franchise system, among others....

[Lurkinanloomin]

This is the one pick I’m uncomfortable with.
Previous statements indicate he is a Cheap Labor Express guy.

[Eisenhower Republican]

Not at all comfortable with him either. He backed Trump, but he also put spent big on Romney, so you really can’t read much into it. He is heavily involved with some Koch front groups.

Definitely like the deregulatory streak, but his past comments seem to indicate that he feels the main problem with the US labor market is that people are compensated too well.

He’s a proponent of expanded immigration, H1-b and amnesty for illegals. He could be serious a thorn in the administration’s side if/when they take serious action to deport illegals or place skills based requirements on legal immigration.

Huge red flags all over the place. Only Trump nominee so far who didn’t pass the smell test with flying colors.