A labor official says Rep. Hilda Solis of California will be nominated as labor secretary by President-elect Barack Obama.
AP
She looks like a good choice.
Time and time again, Hilda has stated that the strength of the national economy is directly linked to the ability of America's workers to organize. For this reason, Hilda proudly cast a "yay" vote in favor of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill that restores the right of workers to form a union.
Hilda Solis for Congress
More, after the fold.
Congresswoman Solis speaks on the House floor in support of the Green Jobs Act which she introduced and asks Congress to support this legislation and provide funding for legislation that invests in the future. Visit www.house.gov/solis for more information.
She grew up in a union family and has been a strong supporter of unions throughout her life.
Born in 1957 in Los Angeles, Solis is the daughter of a Teamsters Union shop steward from Mexico and an assembly-line worker from Nicaragua. (Almanac of American Politics, 2004. The first in her family to attend college, Solis graduated from California State Polytechnic University in 1979 and earned a Masters degree from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1981.
HILDA SOLIS
Solis Asks for Comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan, October 2008.
She's a member of the progressive caucus in the House.
Congresswoman Solis is an officer of the radical Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives. According to the leftwing Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), Solis votes with the left 100 percent of the time.
HILDA SOLIS
(From a right wing point of view. If they don't like her, she must be good)
So far, this looks like the best choice in the cabinet by Obama. I'm glad.
I'll try to get more union reaction as it comes in.
Update I: Paleo wrote an excellent diary while I was writing mine. Please go recommend it. It was first:
Solis diary by paleo
Update II: Hilda Solis on trade:
Supporting Fair Trade, Not Free Trade
Hilda only supports responsible U.S. trade policies that are fair to working families within the U.S. and abroad. She avidly opposes all trade agreements that do not include strong labor, environmental, and human rights protections.
Her track record in the House of Representatives reflects her strong support for Fair Trade policies. She was a leading opponent of the United States - Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) because it would contribute to the rapid job loss within the United States and further the decline of working and environmental conditions in the Amercas. In addition, she staunchly opposes granting President Bush "fast track" trade negotiating authority, an authority that would effectively silence Fair Trade proponents in Congress.
Hilda Solis for Congress
Voted NO on promoting free trade with Peru. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on assisting workers who lose jobs due to globalization. (Oct 2007)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
No MFN for China; condition trade on human rights. (Nov 1999)
On the Issues
Update III: From Kitty in the comments. Video of Solis on EFCA in 2007: