Advancing Justice Applauds Nomination of Julie Su for Deputy Secretary of Department of Labor

Contact

Washington, D.C.—February 10, 2021—President Joe Biden nominated California Secretary of Labor Julie Su to Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an affiliation of five independent Asian American civil rights organizations, releases the following statement:

“Advancing Justice congratulates Julie Su on her nomination. Julie Su has spent her decades-long career fighting for workers rights and ensuring their health and safety. Her nomination is a win for all working people, including people of color, immigrants, and women. As the former Litigation Director of Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, Su advocated and helped deliver a victory for Thai garment workers in the El Monte sweatshop case, which led to sweeping changes in our country’s labor laws and protection for victims of human trafficking. As a champion for the underserved in California, she not only represented the workers, but also helped them access health care, find housing, and empowered them to tell their stories in court. As California’s Labor Commissioner, Su led a renaissance in the agency’s enforcement activity, with strategic reforms that resulted in record setting recoveries and relief for some of the state’s most abused and marginalized workers. As California’s Secretary of Labor, Su continued to fight for the rights of workers across the state.

We first supported Su’s candidacy to be Secretary of Labor, and we are confident that she will be a significant asset as the Deputy Secretary. Especially given the lack of Asian American and Pacific Islander cabinet secretaries, we will keep up the pressure to ensure that more of our community is visible at the highest levels of government.”