President-elect Bush chose Elaine Chao, a former Peace Corps director and the wife of a Republican senator, as labor secretary yesterday, two days after his first nominee withdrew amid controversy.
Chao is the wife of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and had been a prospect to return to the Transportation Department, where she served as deputy in the administration of former President Bush.
That nomination went to Norman Mineta, now commerce secretary, the one Democrat in the prospective Bush Cabinet.
Chao became director of the Peace Corps in 1991, headed United Way of America from 1992 until 1996, and now is a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
Chao said she would work "to protect, nurture and develop America''s most precious resource," its working men and women.
Bush''s first choice for the Department of Labor post, Linda Chavez, withdrew Tuesday in the face of disclosures that she provided shelter and financial support to an illegal immigrant who performed household chores for her.
Unlike the immediate attack labor organizations brought against Chavez''s nomination, unions were quick to praise Bush''s choice of Chao.
Morton Bahr, president of the Communication Workers of America, said the union supports Chao.
"I''ve known and worked with Ms. Chao for several years, and having worked with her as vice chairman of the United Way board of governors, I can attest to her leadership skills, her integrity, and her ability to bring together diverse interests," said Bahr. "I believe she will be responsive to the needs of working families."
John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO, the largest U.S. labor organization, served on the board of the United Way with Chao.
Sweeney cited Chao''s experience both inside and outside government.
"The continued strength of America''s economy and the security of America''s working families, depends upon government, labor and management working together on important common issues," said Sweeney. "We will certainly support any nominee who shares this perspective."
Meanwhile, the confirmation hearings continue for Bush''s Cabinet. Chao''s hearing is not yet listed on the hearing schedule but the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a one-day hearing Jan. 17 for New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Bush''s choice to head EPA.
by Virginia Sutcliffe
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EHS Today Staff
EHS Today's editorial staff includes:
Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.
Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.