President Joe Biden Nominates Julie Su as First Asian American Woman to Lead U.S. Department of Labor

President Joe Biden has announced his nomination of Julie Su to be the next Secretary of Labor. Su, a civil rights attorney and former head of California’s labor department, is a tested and experienced leader who has spent her life fighting for the rights of workers.

Su has led the largest state labor department in the nation for several decades, and has worked to increase the minimum wage, create good-paying, high-quality jobs, and establish and enforce workplace safety standards. She has also cracked down on wage theft and fought to protect trafficked workers.

Late last year, Su was central to negotiations between labor and freight rail companies, working to avert an economically debilitating strike. She has also worked to broaden worker training programs.

In a statement, President Biden said, “It is my honor to nominate Julie Su to be our country’s next Secretary of Labor. Julie has spent her life fighting to make sure that everyone has a fair shot, that no community is overlooked, and that no worker is left behind.”

Su will replace the departing incumbent, former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. If confirmed, she will become the first Asian American woman to lead the U.S. Department of Labor.