Labor & Employment Law

Edward Hugler is Acting Labor Secretary, awaiting Hilda Solis' confirmation

Hilda Solis' appointment as Secretary of Labor is being held up in the Senate. The rumor mill says it's the fault of Republicans who are unhappy that she is an outspoken proponent of the Employee Free Choice Act. Well, maybe so, but she will no doubt get confirmed at some point in time.

Meanwhile, the Acting Secretary of Labor is Edward C. Hugler:

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM), since April 2000.

Responsible for day-to-day management of Department-level activities in the areas of Information Technology, Human Resources, Civil Rights, and General Business Services, including procurement, space, and employee safety. These management support services are delivered through some 330 National Office staff in the Frances Perkins Building and approximately 280 staff in six Federal Regions.

Career Highlights

In addition to Departmental management experience, 32-year career with the Department of Labor includes front-line agency program management and more than ten years as a lawyer in the Office of the Solicitor:

Lead the Department-wide Year 2000 transition, preparing DOL agency systems for the century date change and associated contingency planning, 1998?2000.

Held several top management positions in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) beginning in 1988, including Deputy Assistant Secretary from 1991?1997. As Deputy Assistant Secretary, managed the full range of day-to-day operations for a front-line enforcement agency with some 2,000 staff stationed around the country and a budget of more than $200 million. Substantial experience with major enforcement actions, accident investigations, rulemakings and Congressional oversight.

Served in the Office of the Solicitor from 1977?1988 as Deputy Associate Solicitor and Counsel for Standards and Legal Advice in the Mine Safety and Health Division.

Recognized with Presidential Rank Awards in 1993, 2000 and 2005, and the Philip Arnow Award (the Department of Labor?s top award for sustained performance), also in 2005. Licensed Member of District of Columbia and California Bars. Top Secret Clearance since 1989; current TS/SCI clearance with the Department of Labor.

Education: B.A. from the University of Maryland, 1973; J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law, 1976.

Full post as published by Ross' Employment Law Blog on February 04, 2009 (boomark / email).