Washington, D.C. — Today, President Joe Biden announced that he would nominate Deputy Secretary Julie Su to replace Marty Walsh as the next secretary of the Department of Labor.
Patrice Onwuka, senior policy analyst at Independent Women’s Voice, released the following statement:
“Julie Su has a troubling history of being an adversary to independent contractors. At a time when Americans, especially women, seek flexible work arrangements to meet their unique circumstances, President Biden has nominated a person who will heighten the threats to freelancing in America.
“Previously, Su led California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency where she engineered and implemented the disastrous Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), which reclassified many of the state’s independent contractors. Californians across hundreds of occupations and professions lost their incomes, businesses, and livelihoods. Su’s record in California reflects mismanagement and questionable leadership.
“Now, Su will be tasked with implementing the department’s new proposed restrictions on independent contractors that may well lead to the loss of flexible work opportunities for more than 64 million American workers.
“Independent contracting provides critical avenues to sustain women’s labor force attachment. At the very least, the next DOL secretary shouldn’t be an opponent of independent work.”