AP: Hilda Solis’ Approach is a Departure From the Policies of Predecessor Elaine Chao

[Omaha Steve]

http://unionreview.com/hilda_solis_approach_departure_Elaine_Chao

This is an AP story written by SAM HANANEL. I am reposting to UnionReview.com with the hope of spreading the news.



Soon after she became the nation’s labor secretary, Hilda Solis warned corporate America there was “a new sheriff in town.”

Less than a year into her tenure, that figurative badge of authority is unmistakable. Her aggressive moves to boost enforcement and crack down on businesses that violate workplace safety rules have sent employers scrambling to make sure they are following the rules.

The changes are a departure from the policies of Solis’ predecessor, Elaine Chao. They follow through on President Barack Obama’s campaign promise to boost funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, increase enforcement and safeguard workers in dangerous industries.

Solis made a splash in October when OSHA slapped the largest fine in its history on oil giant BP PLC for failing to fix safety problems after a 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery.

Garnering less attention, she just finished hiring 250 new investigators to protect workers from being cheated out of wage and overtime pay. She also started a new program that scrutinizes business records to make sure worker injury and illness reports are accurate. And she is proposing new standards to protect workers from industrial dust explosions — an effort the Bush administration had long resisted.

Some business groups say they prefer a more cooperative approach between government and businesses — what the Bush administration called “compliance assistance.”

FULL story at link.

[blondeatlast]

1. Looks like she was an effective replacement (thank God/Loki/your chosen here). Chao was a slimy

disaster.

Solis said her agency this year will tackle 90 new rules and regulations next year. One change would give workers more information about how their pay is computed. Another would make employers disclose whether they sought advice from anti-union labor consultants.

If they can push against the Free Choice Act, this is a great way to push back, IMHO.

[frazzled]

2. No sh*t, Sherlock

But to some, this is just one more way in which the Obama and Bush administrations represent no difference.

[jaysunb]

4. Amen...

n/t

[DCKit]

8. Please clarify. I have no clue what you're talking about.

Given the state of enforcement (of everything) during BushCo*, these few things may as well have come from an alternate universe.

[frazzled]

9. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear

I was simply being sarcastic, and making the point that several others have since I posted: namely, that this is exemplary of the many ways in which the Obama administration is indeed bringing substantive change throughout the everyday ranks of government. In ways that affect real people in real ways. Perhaps it is only change back to the competency of the Clinton administration ... but after eight years of precedent-setting clusterf***king during the Bush era, that is change I gladly embrace.

Those (and there are many here) who would maintain there is no difference between the two administrations are simply wrong. And I think it's an important point to make. Because if these distinctions are not drawn, we will end up with the promise of 2000: a tiny but vocal minority that proclaimed no difference between the Democrats and Republicans--a position that quite distinctly, if not intentionally, brought us Bush, Cheney, and six years of a Republican Congress.

[DCKit]

10. Gotcha. Had me wondering though.

I don't seem to share your experience(s) (on DU) with THOSE people. I must be skipping all the right posts.

[anigbrowl]

3. She must be evil, she's in the same room as Tim Geithner

Bush 3rd term, under the bus, etc . etc.

[anonymous171]

5. That's not very centrist of her. nt

[niyad]

6. k and r--she is what workers have needed for a very long time

[Hekate]

7. "The changes...follow through on President Barack Obama’s campaign promise..."

"... to boost funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, increase enforcement and safeguard workers in dangerous industries."

Another campaign promise fulfilled. Although too many posters here can't see it, the campaign promises of change are often carried out by putting the right people in place. Hilda Solis is definitely one of those people.

Hekate

[goclark]

12. K

[blondeatlast]

11. Kick. nt