The Labor Secretary of Labor Says Higgs Bounds on Singular Workplace Classification: A Rejoinder to Labor and the Workforce of America

“Earlier this week I met with @POTUS and he accepted that my time as Labor Secretary will conclude mid-March,” Walsh tweeted. “As a second-generation card-carrying union member, serving as your Secretary of Labor in the most pro-worker administration in our history is an immense privilege.”

Walsh said that serving as Secretary of Labor and being given this unique opportunity to help working people is something that is special to him.

In the end, after multiple rail unions voted to reject the deal, Congress stepped in to impose the terms to keep the trains running through the holidays. After a few weeks, one freight railroad reopened discussions with unions about providing paid sick leave.

Under Walsh’s leadership, the Labor Department has pushed for a reshaping of workplace laws and regulations, including proposing a rule that would lower the bar for who must be classified as a employee of a company rather than an independent contractor. The rule could affect construction workers, home health care aides, custodians and others who, as independent contractors, are not entitled to overtime pay and other federal protections.

The son of Irish immigrants, Walsh grew up in the working-class Dorchester neighborhood of Boston and followed his dad into construction, helping to build Boston’s waterfront. He was the leader of Laborer’s Local 233 and the umbrella organization known as North America’s Building Trades Unions, where he represented tens of thousands of construction workers.

In his goodbye letter, Walsh praised his deputy Julie Su, who formerly led California’s labor and workforce agency, saying he was “confident there will be continuity and the work will be sustained.”

The Asian Pacific American Caucus threw its support behind Su in a public display of support for him to become Walsh’s replacement in Biden’s Cabinet.

Su, a former California labor secretary, was believed to be among Biden’s finalists for labor secretary the first go around that ultimately went to Walsh. Former Michigan Rep. Andy Levin, who had support from major unions, was also thought to be a finalist. Labor leaders were largely turned down by the support of the senator from Vermont.

“I leave @USDOL with a deeper understanding of why working people are the heart and soul and strength of our nation. I believe that our nation is more resilient now than ever. Thank you for everything,” Walsh added.

His exit comes as two of Biden’s closest and most powerful advisers – chief of staff Ron Klain and Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, have announced their own departures. Klain’s emotional last day took place earlier this month and Biden named Jeff Zients, his former Covid-19 response chief, as his replacement. Biden named Lael Brainard as Deese’s replacement.