Solis' history of fighting for workers

I've been bouncing in my ergonomic desk chair over Obama's pick for Secretary of Labor. No big surprise that the sentiment was shared by other folks around this union and others.

It's not just because she sponsors the House version of a bill to revive workers' right to organize--- any progressive supports that. What's so special about Rep. Solis is how much she has been on the ground, helping working people for decades. Often with UNITE HERE.

I've seen Rep. Solis speak and I'm familiar with her successful policy work but some of my colleagues have worked with her for decades. She has a deep and personal connection with working Americans that stems from decades working to help workers get their rights.

Here's an email that UNITE HERE Prez. Bruce Raynor just sent to President-elect Obama in support of our next Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis. It has some history you might not know:

Dear President Obama,

I would like to applaud your choice of Representative Hilda Solis to be our next Secretary of labor. In these trying economic times working Americans need someone who will stand with them and help build an economy that works for working people. Rep. Solis comes from a union family and has been a leader in congress promoting the Employee Free Choice Act as a means of expanding and rebuilding the American middle class.

At Unite Here events Congresswoman Solis is known as an honorary shop steward--a symbol of the respect she has earned throughout our decades-long working relationship. She has walked numerous picket-lines with us in Southern California. In return, our members have worked in every single Solis campaign. And, when she ran for the U.S. Congress, we were the first union to endorse her.

Congresswoman Solis was a key ally for Unite Here when, in 1995, we discovered immigrant workers living as slaves in an El Monte, California garment sweatshop. She helped us raise money to bail detained workers out of ICE while she also pushed for aggressive prosecution of sweatshop operators. Furthermore, Congresswoman Solis's help in passing the anti-sweatshop Assembly Bill 633 fundamentally altered the garment industry in California and bettered the lives thousands of low-wage workers.

In 1999, Congresswoman Solis further showed her dedication to working people when she contributed $50,000 of her own campaign money in order to pass the California Minimum Wage Increase Initiative--Proposition 210.

Her unique depth of understanding of workers issues comes from lived experience-- it will serve our national well to listen to it.

On behalf of the workers in the apparel, textile, hotel, food service, gaming, and laundry industries, we thank you.

Comments

[Benevolus]

She also has a history of fighting for illegal workers which drives down our union wages. You can't favor rights of illegal workers over rights of unions. Illegal workers hurt our unions. I have seen a few jobs go to illegal workers instead of my union. Which one does she favor first?

[pepper47]

Your statement lacks legitimacy. First what do you mean by "illegal workers" and your union losing jobs to them? Am I right in assuming that reason these "workers" are illegal is because they are undocumented alliens? If so, thier employers are breaking the law. Simply blow the whistle on them. Also, exactly what union jobs were lost?
The strength of unions comes from it,s members knowledge of thier contract, solidarity, and a few dozen principals. one of which is to include, don't exclude workers. another is to compete with your skill, not wages. I know of unions that have non citizens as members. they have work visas. Just like you would need if you worked outside the U.S. I think the reason they decided to join the union is because they want to make more money too! Do you believe imigrants accept lower wages to take your job? when the only one that benefit is the employer. Realize who's in control of jobs being given away . It's not fellow workers (colleages). Union!

[MPeter]

Finally, we have a President who respects workers; a man who understands the poor. May God Bless President obama and Secretary Solis!!!!