Bernie Sanders confirms interest in becoming Biden's Labor secretary

[left-of-center2012]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Wednesday that, if asked, he would accept the position of Labor secretary in President-elect Joe Biden's administration. CNN reported on Tuesday that Sanders was calling labor union leaders asking for their backing.

"I want to do everything I can to protect the working families of this country who are under tremendous duress right now and whether that is in the Senate, whether that's in the Biden administration, who knows? Let's see how that unfolds," Sanders said during an interview with CNN when asked if he was eyeing a position in Biden's Cabinet.

"If I had a portfolio that allowed me to stand up and fight for working families, would I do it? Yes, I would," Sanders said when pressed if he would accept a job as Labor secretary.

But whether Biden ultimately picks Sanders is unclear, with Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez also viewed as potential contenders. CNN reported that AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is supportive of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for the position.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/525587-sanders-says-he-would-accept-labor-secretary-job-in-biden-cabinet

[Proud liberal 80]

1. Doesn't Vermont have a republican go governor

We can’t afford to lose senators

[Demsrule86]

20. Yes...thus he can't.

[helpisontheway]

25. Bernie does not care. He would give up the seat. Nt

[Demsrule86]

27. He won't be asked and Mitch woud not approve him anyway. Biden should say no sitting

senators can be in the cabinet...too important to have them in the senate.

[JI7]

2. No

[calguy]

3. I think when all is said and done......

Bernie Sanders will be serving in the Senate.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. No.

[BannonsLiver]

5. No senators.

[cwydro]

6. No.

Just no.

[still_one]

7. I don't understand why certain elements in the press get regurgitating this story. It isn't going

to happen

Sanders is needed in the Senate because Vermont has a republican Governor

[Demsrule86]

21. Sanders said it on someone's show.

[mvd]

8. He'd be great, but I don't want to lose progressives in the Senate

Same goes for Warren.

[Sherman A1]

9. Love Bernie, but want him in the senate

I would like a Union leader as Secretary of Labor.

[madinmaryland]

10. ROBERT REICH. He was labor secretary under Clinton and would be an excellent choice.

[SlogginThroughIt]

22. Agreed!

[doc03]

11. No

[left-of-center2012]

12. I wish people would just let Biden choose who he wants

A few folks have raised their hands, making their availability publicly known for various positions.
And in Bernie's case calling labor leaders for their support.

Just let Joe know you're interested and he'll decide.
He's got a great group of advisors to help him.

[Budi]

15. Joe Biden is no fool in the area of working class & Labor relations.

He knows that Labor & the middle class is the machine that built this country. I trust him completely.

[Demsrule86]

28. I think you need a midwesterner too...someone from Michigan or PA or Wisconsin...

Someone with ties to manufacturing but we have to have someone who can reach out to the huge hospitality unions too.

[Budi]

29. True. Especially when you look at the long list of Labor groups who put their faith in Joe by...

...their endorsement.

It will take as much trust & faith in his Labor Sec to fulfill the wishes of Biden & labor.

Its a long list to negotiate & advocate on behalf of.

Once again. These groups trust Biden, & from what I've seen Sanders is more likely to want his own agenda & the risk of causing a disruption of faith between Biden & Labor would be divisive rather than a unified progressive function for Labor.

I don't see Sanders working to strengthen the faith & trust as it currently bonds Joe Biden & Labor.

I don't see him as a unifying member of Biden's admin, especially considering how he labeled Joe Biden in the 2020 Primary race.

It made me cringe.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/bernie-sanders-argues-joe-biden-establishment-working-middle/story%3fid=69268312

MARCH 2020 Primary Race

"Bernie Sanders argues Joe Biden and 'establishment' ignored working- and middle-class voters"


Probably should ask Biden's Endorsers about that:
(FROM MY POST #24)

Joe Biden has the endorsement of these Labor Groups & that tells us where Biden stands on his choice for Labor Sec.
It's not enough to promote yourself as For Labor, you better come with the creds to prove it to this list.


Labor Endorsements
AFL-CIO
Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA)
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA)
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
American Postal Workers Union (APWU)
American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA)
Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM)
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS)
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)
Communications Workers of America (CWA)
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, Labor Leader
Dolores Huerta, Labor Leader
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW)
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE)
International Longshoremen's Association (ILA)
International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)
International Longshore and Warehouse Union 13
International Longshore and Warehouse Union 63
International Longshore and Warehouse Union 94
International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P)
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC)
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA)
Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA)
National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
National Education Association (NEA)
National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE)
National Nurses United (NNU)
National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU)
National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU)
National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO)
Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU)
Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association (OPCMIA)
Pride at Work
Scranton Federation of Teachers
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Service Employees International Union National Association of Government Employees
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)
Transport Workers Union of America (TWU)
Transportation Trades Department (TTD)
United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA)
United Autoworkers (UAW)
United Farm Workers (UFW)
United Food and Commercial Workers / RWDSU (UFCW)
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776
United Steelworkers (USW)
Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA)
*********

They all know & trust Joe Biden's lifetime history of working on the side of Labor.
Biden's choice will support all these groups who put their faith & trust in him.

#WeTrustJoeBiden

[panader0]

13. Governor of Vermont is Republican, so no.

[Budi]

14. Whoa! Better have a long solid resume of Labor affiliations to compete for this position

Last edited Wed Nov 11, 2020, 09:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez also viewed as potential contenders.
CNN reported that AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is supportive of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

What's Sander's record on Labor in the Senate?

[JI7]

16. Not a very good one based on the way he managed his campaign

[Hortensis]

26. Biden got FAR MORE LABOR ENDORSEMENTS than Sanders in 2020.

Biden: https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/53279/joe-biden-jr

Sanders: https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/27110/bernie-sanders/43/

Senator Sanders also has the distinction of being the only candidate on our ticket whose own offices had severe, ongoing labor problems. They were never resolved, and his answer to complaints of underpaying lower level employees was continue paying them too little to support themselves but to cut their hours so their pay per hour would average higher. This, even though his campaign was amazingly well funded, and remained so to the end.

Biden's lower level staff were all paid $15/hour or more, and his labor record as a senator is also, as would be expected from the above, far more impressive than Sanders'.

[Budi]

30. K & R THIS ⬆️

Thank you.

Sanders belongs in the Senate

[NurseJackie]

17. Lulz! NGH*

*Not Gonna Happen

[LizBeth]

18. No.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

19. Ugh no.

[no_hypocrisy]

23. Trade-off: Bernie as Labour Secretary and Mitch stopping all of Joe's legislation.

[Budi]

24. I see plenty of revenge votes against Biden's legislation.

But Joe Biden has the endorsement of these Labor Groups & that tells us where Biden stands on his choice for Labor Sec.
It's not enough to promote yourself as For Labor, you better come with the creds to prove it to this list.


Labor Endorsements
AFL-CIO
Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA)
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA)
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
American Postal Workers Union (APWU)
American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA)
Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM)
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS)
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)
Communications Workers of America (CWA)
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, Labor Leader
Dolores Huerta, Labor Leader
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW)
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE)
International Longshoremen's Association (ILA)
International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)
International Longshore and Warehouse Union 13
International Longshore and Warehouse Union 63
International Longshore and Warehouse Union 94
International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P)
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC)
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA)
Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA)
National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
National Education Association (NEA)
National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE)
National Nurses United (NNU)
National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU)
National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU)
National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO)
Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU)
Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association (OPCMIA)
Pride at Work
Scranton Federation of Teachers
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Service Employees International Union National Association of Government Employees
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)
Transport Workers Union of America (TWU)
Transportation Trades Department (TTD)
United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA)
United Autoworkers (UAW)
United Farm Workers (UFW)
United Food and Commercial Workers / RWDSU (UFCW)
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776
United Steelworkers (USW)
Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA)

They all know & trust Joe Biden's lifetime history of working on the side of Labor.
Biden's choice will support all these groups who put their faith & trust in him.

#WeTrustJoeBiden