For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 18, 2013
Contact:
For English language Media:
Donna De La Cruz, [email protected], 202-339-9331, 202-441-3798 (cell)
For Spanish language Media:
Ricardo Ramírez, [email protected], 202-339-9371, 202-905-1738 (cell)

Perez Will Push Workers’ Rights Issues to the Forefront

(WASHINGTON)— In a 54-46 vote today, the Senate confirmed Tom Perez as the new U.S. Secretary of Labor, an effort commended by the Center for Community Change.

“Tom has spent his entire career as a public servant fighting to make sure that the rights of all Americans are protected and enforced,” said Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director of the Center for Community Change. “We applaud the Senate for confirming someone with such a commitment to civil rights and workers’ rights. There are way too many people in this country who identify with the term ‘working poor.’ Community Change looks forward to working with Tom on labor policies that will benefit working families.”

“This is a victory for workers’ rights and everyone who cares about building a better America,” Bhargava continued. “Perez is dedicated to reducing unemployment and enforcing wage and hour laws, which will serve our nation well as many hardworking families continue to struggle in the wake of the Great Recession.”

Prior to his new position, Perez served as the head of the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department where he worked diligently to enforce civil rights laws on voting, hate crimes, fair housing and disability rights.

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Community Change builds the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to have a significant impact in improving their communities and the policies and institutions that affect their lives. For more information go to www.communitychange.org.