Why Business lobbyists want to stop Labor Secretary nominee Julie Su

David Weil, whose 2022 Senate confirmation to a Labor Department post was blocked, says fast food companies, ride-sharing services, and nonunion builders fear vigorous enforcement of labor laws.

By  Jessica Goodheart for Capital & Main

Business groups are vigorously opposing Julie Su, President Joe Biden’s nominee for labor secretary, and they are counting on a handful of votes from swing senators to defeat her confirmation.

Leading the charge are trade groups representing companies like McDonald’s and Uber that currently are not the employers of record for workers in fast-food franchises or drivers who are treated as independent contractors. Because of that arm’s length relationship, those corporations are often shielded from responsibility for labor law violations. They fear Su would more aggressively enforce labor laws that could expose them to penalties for infractions.