Washington, D.C., January 10, 2013 – The following is a statement from Tom Buffenbarger, International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), following the announcement that U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will retire:
“As the daughter of immigrant parents with union jobs, Hilda Solis brought a new energy to the U.S. Department of Labor and was able to connect with American workers like few others.
“As the first and only Hispanic woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet, Secretary Hilda Solis rose to the occasion and advocated with passion and sincerity for the rights of workers during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
“Secretary Solis has made her mark on U.S. labor with new job training programs, health and safety measures, wage and hour guidelines and millions of new jobs. It is our hope that her successor continues her legacy of service as a true champion for working families.”
