AAPI community cheers Julie Su's approval by U.S. Senate

Deputy Secretary of the Department of Labor Julie Su.

When Julie Su was approved last week to be the next Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, a collective cheer went up from the Asian American community that supported her nomination.

AAPI politicians and special interests lobbied hard to get Su for the post of Secretary of Labor in Biden's Cabinet. As Biden's Cabinet was being filled out, Su was the AAPI community's best hope to win a position in the Cabinet as the Labor Secretary. The  position was among the last Secretary-level post to get filled. It eventually went to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

The loudest cheer for Su's appointment came from Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a nonprofit legal advocacy coalition, where Su worked as the group's Litigation Director.

It was during her tenure at AAAJ that she won one of her best known cases. the Thai Garment Workers Case (Bureerong v. Uvawas). As a member of the legal team that filed a lawsuit on behalf of 102 Thai garment workers who had been exploited and enslaved by sweatshop operators. 

"Julie’s leadership expanded workers’ rights in the state of California and nationally," said AAAJ in a statement. "The suit challenged the sweatshop operators, as well as the retailers and manufacturers that profited off their labor. This was the first federal lawsuit of its kind, not only setting the precedent in holding manufacturers and retailers accountable for the conditions in which their clothes are made but leading to new federal laws protecting immigrants who are trafficked into the country." 

In May 1999, the case ended in settlements that exceeded $4 million from more than 10 manufacturers and private label retailers.

Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led by Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA, met with Biden's transition team and with President Biden and Vice President Harris to push the appointment of more AAPI to key positions throughout  the federal government.

“Not only is Julie Su highly qualified for this role, but as a woman of color, she brings a unique perspective that will help her as she works to make sure all Americans are represented in the policies crafted and implemented by President Biden’s Department of Labor," said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.

"Given her proven track-record supporting American workers, I have confidence that she will put workers’ rights first and do everything she can to expand fair labor practices." Duckworth pressured the Biden administration by protesting the lack of AAPI presence in his Cabinet by threatening to withhold her vote on the President's nominees unless he appointed more Asian Americans as key White House advisors.

"A daughter of Chinese immigrants and a lifelong advocate for working families, Julie brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the Department of Labor that will help advance justice for America’s workers," said Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY. 

"From her recent role as California’s Labor Secretary, to her background at Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ-LA), Julie brings the expertise and compassion needed to serve in this role. Her efforts as Deputy Secretary of Labor will also be critical in getting workers back on their feet, and ensuring protections for them, as our nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic."