Organized Labor Fights Scalia's Nomination

Washington, D.C. -- Organized labor is urging the Senate to defeat the nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Labor Department's top lawyer, claiming that his views are extreme and hostile to workers. AFL-CIO president John Sweeney has said that Scalia is the wrong person for the job, citing Scalia's criticism of Clinton-era ergonomics regulations that Congress repealed earlier this year. If confirmed, Scalia would give guidance on many department policy, legislative, regulatory and enforcement initiatives. The position is regarded as the top lieutenant to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, who is expected to decide later this month whether to pursue a new ergonomics regulation or start over with a more voluntary approach.