Please join Pride at Work and Equality Federation in asking the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) to oppose Andrew Puzder for the position of Secretary of Labor.
Mr. Puzder has a long record of opposing LGBTQ equality and opposing the kinds of basic workplace protections all Americans should have, including playing a key role in developing the most anti-LGBTQ party platform in our nation's history and opposing the rights of workers to form unions.
There are 32 states that lack clear, fully inclusive LGBT nondiscrimination protections, leaving people at risk for being fired, denied a job or apartment, or refused service because of who they are or whom they love. Often, union membership is the only protection workers have to fall back on.
Please sign the letter below to make your voice heard at this critical time!
Dear Members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions:
I am writing to ask you to oppose Andrew Puzder for Secretary of Labor due to his long history of opposing workers' ability to form and belong to unions and nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people.
[Your comment will be added here]
Many people are shocked to learn that 32 states lack comprehensive statewide nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people. This means, that unions often serve as the only form of protection a worker may have if they are fired due to discrimination.
All of us, including gay and transgender Americans, should be able to provide for ourselves and our families without the fear of discrimination.
Mr. Puzder has not made clear whether he supports existing LGBTQ nondiscrimination provisions, including those that were implemented by executive order. This is particularly concerning because many are currently enforced by the Department of Labor. There is nothing in his record to indicate he would enforce these protections, let alone advocate for much needed additional protections.
Further, nondiscrimination provisions aren't the only concern we have about Mr. Puzder. As an employer, himself, his record leaves much to be desired. CKE Restaurants, Mr. Puzder's company, is a repeat violator of the Fair Labor Standards Act going back years. If confirmed, Mr. Puzder would be the chief enforcer of an Act with which he hasn't complied in his own business. LGBTQ workers are dependent upon fair, equitable, and just labor policy.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
