CWA: Solis an Advocate for Workers

The U.S. Senate's confirmation this week of Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) as secretary of labor is a critical step toward creating new and green jobs while reversing the Labor Department's past eight years of neglect and contempt for workers' rights, CWA said.

"Secretary Solis has long been an effective voice for workers' rights," CWA President Larry Cohen said. "Her strong support for the Employee Free Choice Act is especially critical as our nation moves to rebuild the middle class and restore an economy that works for everyone."

CWA leadership and members stood strong behind Solis throughout the confirmation process, reaching out to key members of the Senate. The vote to confirm her was 80-17; Republican leaders had delayed the vote for more than a month.

In addition to an impressive record defending workers' rights, Cohen said Solis has the vision to help grow a 21st century workforce that is highly skilled and green. She is a longtime advocate for "green manufacturing" to create jobs of the future and help the United States achieve a clean energy economy.

"She is an ideal advocate to help the Obama-Biden administration champion workers and create the jobs needed to jumpstart out economy," Cohen said.