President-elect Donald Trump recently announced his decision to nominate Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the former congresswoman from Oregon, to be his next Secretary of Labor. This pick appears to signal Trump’s intent to engage more deeply with labor issues, especially as Chavez-DeRemer has garnered some support from unions during her political career.
Chavez-DeRemer, who represented Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, lost her reelection bid just weeks before her nomination. Despite this setback, she had emerged as one of the more pro-labor Republicans during her tenure, often siding with labor-friendly legislation, which is somewhat unusual for her party.
Trump, through his social media platform Truth Social, expressed his confidence saying, “Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America’s workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America.” He emphasized his desire to work with her to “create tremendous opportunity for American workers, expand training and apprenticeships, and improve working conditions.”
During her brief time in Congress, Chavez-DeRemer was one of only three House Republicans to actively support the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, aimed at strengthening workers’ rights to unionize. She also signed on to another bill intended to shield public-sector workers from reductions to their Social Security benefits due to government pensions.
The backing for her nomination extends beyond Trump’s office. Sean O’Brien, the president of the influential International Brotherhood of Teamsters, lauded her selection, applauding Trump for prioritizing American workers. He noted, “North America’s strongest union is ready to work with you every step of the way to expand good union jobs and rebuild our nation’s middle class.”
Chavez-DeRemer has been recognized for her efforts to bridge the gap between business and labor unions. Despite her Republican affiliation, she has received endorsements from over twenty unions, focusing particularly on small, local labor organizations. This support reflects her approach as she often articulated the need for bipartisan cooperation.
Still, the labor community holds some reservations. Many union leaders are wary of Trump's past alignment with pro-business interests and are cautious about his broader labor agenda. During his first presidency, Trump appointed business-favored leaders to the National Labor Relations Board and exhibited tendencies toward policies making unionizing more difficult.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler noted Chavez-DeRemer’s positive labor record but also expressed caution about how effective she could be as Labor Secretary with Trump’s anti-worker agenda looming large. Likewise, National Education Association President Becky Pringle expressed hope for Chavez-DeRemer’s commitment to worker advocacy amid potential conflicts with conservative policies.
Her nomination begs the question of how her tenure might differ from her predecessors under the Biden administration, particularly Marty Walsh, who was known for his extensive labor background. On the other hand, Chavez-DeRemer is perceived as someone who could balance business and labor demands, if her past actions bear any relevance.
If confirmed by the Senate—likely under Republican control when Trump officially takes office on January 20, 2025—Chavez-DeRemer will be stepping onto a complex stage where she must navigate between employer prerogatives and workers’ rights. Her approach to longstanding issues such as overtime regulations will come under scrutiny. The main concern will be how she will handle the controversial overtime rule first expanded during the Obama administration, which has seen significant back-and-forth amid changing administrations.
The rule previously expanded eligibility for overtime payments to include more workers earning up to approximately $47,000 annually, which affects about 33% of the workforce. Trump’s administration had proposed rolling back this threshold significantly, which meant millions of workers lost access to these provisions. This removal of significant protections has been contested strongly by labor factions.
Chavez-DeRemer will also have to contend with the impacts of Trump’s promises for widespread immigration enforcement, which could complicate interactions with industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor. Her ability to strike the right balance between these opposing forces will mark her effectiveness and legacy should she transition to this Cabinet role.
Chavez-DeRemer’s political evolution has been noteworthy. Initially, she clothed her political identity largely within her personal anecdotes of being the child of unionized workers. Now, her nomination positions her at the forefront of national labor policy debates, reflective of both her values and the overlapping dynamics at play as America tackles multifaceted labor issues.
While some commend her potential leadership, drawing attention to her collaborative history with unions, others remain skeptical. Political pundits express concerns over her tightrope walk between Trump’s business-centric policies and labor advocacy. Statements from local union representatives have portrayed support, though nuances remain, highlighting the importance of her actions once she settles officially at the Labor Department.
Chavez-DeRemer’s previous statements have positioned her within the Biden administration’s agenda, pushing for worker advancement through policy aimed at extending collective bargaining rights. The coming months as Labor Secretary will undoubtedly serve as both the final test of her political acuity and the commitment to those principles she previously espoused.
Her role will be one of significant impact, affecting wages, health, safety, and the rights of workers across the nation. If confirmed, her balance of responsibilities will be the litmus test for how effectively she can mold Trump’s labor policies to yield equitable outcomes for American workers.
