Obama Taps Solis For Top Labor Post

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

After much speculation, President-elect Barack Obama selected Represenative Hilda Solis (D-CA) Thursday to fill the Labor Secretary post. "We are glad to see that President-elect Obama has appointed someone with a history of working with labor," AFGE Local 12 - which represents workers at the Department of Labor - President Alex Bastani told Union City Thursday. Rep. Solis voted with labor 97 percent of the time as a Congressmember, according to the AFL-CIO, and currently serves on the board of American Rights at Work. "We're thrilled at the prospect of having Rep. Hilda Solis as our nation's next labor secretary," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney Thursday. "She's proven to be a passionate leader and advocate for all working families." Added ARAW Executive Director Mary Beth Maxwell, "Hilda is a fantastic choice -- this is a great day for working families!"