Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Labor nominee an advocate for workplace balance, U. of I. expert says

Labor expert Robert Bruno says the nominee for labor secretary would work to restore equality in the workforce.

Labor expert Robert Bruno says the nominee for labor secretary would work to restore equality in the workforce.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for labor secretary would work to restore equality in a U.S. workforce that has seen the balance of power shift too far toward management, a University of Illinois labor expert says.

Robert Bruno says U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis, a California Democrat, has a deep legislative background in line with Obama’s pledge to press an ambitious labor agenda that would seek to strengthen unions, protect jobs and bolster the middle class.

“Perhaps most importantly, Solis has endorsed the long overdue need for major labor law reform to bring some equity back into the labor-management relationship,” said Bruno, a professor of labor and employment relations.

The new labor secretary is expected to lead the push for a new law, the Employee Free Choice Act, aimed at making it easier for workers to unionize. Organized labor has called the measure its top priority when Obama and a new Congress take office next month.

Solis, 51, the daughter of Mexican and Nicaraguan immigrants, also would be an advocate on issues ranging from the environment to the problems facing families as the nation tries to rebound from its deepest recession in decades, Bruno said.

“Congresswoman Solis has a proven record of supporting a broad-based working families agenda,” he said. “Her votes in Congress reflect a person attentive to the needs of the diverse populations currently struggling in the labor market.”

Solis also has built an extensive record on environmental issues during four terms in Congress, Bruno said.

Her legislative accomplishments include spearheading a bill to provide workers with training for “green-collar” employment, an initiative in step in Obama’s promise to address the nation’s energy needs and create new jobs.

“She has long pushed for the development of ‘green’ jobs and technology,” said Bruno, who has written two books and studies working-class and union studies issues.

Bruno helped arrange a panel including Solis that will speak next month at the annual meeting of the Labor and Employment Relations Association.

Editor’s note: To contact Robert Bruno, call 630-487-0013; e-mail bbruno@illinois.edu

Read Next

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Honors portraits of four Illinois researchers

Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The winners this year are health and kinesiology professor Marni Boppart, physics professor Barry Bradlyn, chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010