Trump Pick for Labor Secretary Has Been Vocal Critic of Obama-Era Policies

Employment Law

President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would nominate as Secretary of Labor Andy Puzder, who currently serves as CEO of CKE Restaurants, parent company of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, among others.  He has been in that position since 2000, after serving for several years as outside counsel and then general counsel for the company.  A vocal Trump supporter during the campaign, he has been a strong opponent of President Obama's labor policies, particularly DOL's overtime expansion and the NLRB/DOL attack on franchises via an expanded definition of "joint employer."  He has testified in Congress on these issues and has written several notable Wall Street Journal op-eds on numerous topics, stating:

Since the end of the recession, anemic economic growth has stifled the competition for employees that leads to increased wages and benefits.  The left, led by President Obama, has proposed that government mandate such improvements, providing the fruits of economic growth without actually growing the economy.  This has come in the form of state and local minimum wages, paid family leave, minimum-hours legislation and ObamaCare's employer mandate.

Mr. Puzder's concerns about over-regulation will be a welcome viewpoint for the business community.  More importantly, he has been a successful businessperson with a solid reputation who obviously understands the critical role human resources plays in successful business operations.