In reaction to the nomination withdrawal of CKE Restaurant’s CEO Andrew Puzder as Secretary of Labor, Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America, made the following statement:
“Mr. Puzder’s withdrawal today is a win for America’s workers. He was an extraordinarily ill-suited candidate for advancing the cause of working people, or building the 21st Century workforce that will enable the US to thrive in an increasingly globalized economy.
“Make no mistake, this nomination failed because citizens rejected Mr. Puzder’s record and his ideas. As a fast food CEO, Mr. Puzder made it his business to generate profits by exploiting the workers in his restaurants, where he paid poverty wages, and on the national stage, where he spent his career advocating for laws that rig the system for the richest at the expense of everyone else. Mr. Puzder fought against raising the minimum wage and expanding overtime pay coverage, worked to undermine equitable wage growth and equal opportunity and pay in the workplace. These ideas were soundly rejected today.
“The Department of Labor, and this Cabinet position, are vital to keeping our people healthy and our economy strong. The Secretary of Labor should respect and value workers, and spend every waking hour fighting for their best interests. We urge President Trump to listen to the message citizens have sent over the last few weeks and move to nominate a Secretary of Labor who will be a fair and committed advocate for the interests of American workers.”