DOL’s Su Hammered on Union Clout; Democrats Defend Record (1)

Republican members of the Senate labor panel expressed a lack of confidence in US labor secretary nominee Julie Su’s ability to negotiate with major unions during her confirmation hearing.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) noted in opening remarks Thursday that several major labor contracts are up for negotiation this year, and was skeptical that Su could navigate some of those tough negotiations impartially to avoid strikes that could cause economic disruption.

Former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh built “trust with the business community as well as labor unions,” Cassidy said. “With 150 labor contracts ...