Retailers call for labor secretary who will 'put American economy ahead of partisan politics'

"The days of taking sides - on either side - need to come to an end."

NRF SVP David French

WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French on the nomination of Alexander Acosta to head the federal Department of Labor:

“The secretary of labor plays an important role in many issues affecting the nation’s economy, so we hope to see this position filled as soon as possible with someone who will put the American economy ahead of partisan politics.”

“The previous Labor Department saw itself as a promoter of the labor agenda and union membership rather than the impartial arbiter of labor-management issues that it is supposed to be. Sweeping actions on federal overtime rules, joint employer relationships and other issues created immense uncertainty for employers and stifled economic growth. Whoever takes the helm of the Labor Department needs to restore balance to the system and ensure that the concerns of employees and employers are given equal weight. The days of taking sides – on either side – need to come to an end.”

About NRF
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF.com

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