Senate Urged by IFPTE to Confirm Mayor Marty Walsh as Labor Secretary

In a letter to Senators, IFPTE urged that President Biden’s nominee for the Secretary of Labor, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, be confirmed to the post.

IFPTE reminded Senators that Walsh is an ideal fit to lead the Department of Labor (DOL) as he has been a steadfast advocate for working people and understands workers’ issues through his years as a labor leader and through his public service in the Massachusetts State House and as Mayor of Boston.

While serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Walsh was elected president of Local 223 of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) and was also president of the Boston Building Trades Council, stepping down from both positions once he was elected mayor.

IFPTE’s letter cites a few of DOL Secretary-designate Walsh’s accomplishments:

Throughout his tenure as Mayor, his administration raised over $30 million to aid workers who lost jobs as a result of COVID-19, led the fight to raise his State’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, and was instrumental in pushing policies and legislation that helped to create upwards of 135,000 new jobs. Mayor Walsh is also a trailblazer in fighting discrimination of all forms by working closely with immigrant advocacy groups and communities of color.

Once confirmed as Secretary of Labor, IFPTE looks forward to working with Secretary-designate Walsh to address the need for modernizing our labor laws and ensuring DOL oversees and enforces fair wage and labor standards throughout the U.S. workforce.

Read IFPTE’s letter to the Senate urging Mayor Marty Walsh be confirmed as Secretary of Labor.