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Biden’s choice to lead OSHA led USW’s safety efforts

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO commends President Joe Biden on his choice of James S. Frederick to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and looks forward to working with the new deputy assistant secretary of labor as he reinvigorates the agency that protects Americans on the job.

“President Biden understands the Labor Movement’s skills and experience as he fills key positions in his administration,” New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech said. “His selection of Mr. Frederick, who represented our brothers and sisters in the United Steelworkers during his 25-year tenure as assistant director and principal investigator for the USW’s health, safety and environment department, once again shows wise leadership.”

President Biden’s selection of pro-union Frederick is another piece of his overall commitment to battling the rapidly spreading coronavirus pandemic in the workplace. Biden’s ex­ec­u­tive or­der on Thursday requires OSHA to finally con­sider an emer­gency tem­po­rary stan­dard (ETS) for worker safety during the COVID-19 pandemic – an ETS that the national AFL-CIO, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and affiliates have been demanding for nearly a year.

Frederick often testified before Congress on behalf of the USW, and his appearances there led to a reduction in workplace violence and improved ergonomics in many sectors of labor, among other achievements.

“Having someone leading OSHA who stands for what the agency’s name means – occupational safety and health – that’s what every worker needs,” President Wowkanech said. “More than 400,000 of our fellow citizens have passed away in this pandemic. Our frontline essential workers deserve a champion like Jim Frederick.”