WASHINGTON, DC - After today's Senate HELP Committee vote on Secretary of Labor nominee Tom Perez and a hearing on five nominations to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Mary Kay Henry, International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

After several delays, we are encouraged that Tom Perez's nomination to head the Department of Labor passed out of committee today. Mr. Perez's nomination should not face more obstructionism and the full Senate should take up his nomination as soon as possible for a fair up or down vote.

"We are also pleased that the Senate HELP Committee started confirmation proceedings for nominees to the NLRB. Right now, workers' rights are endangered by the lack of a functioning NLRB. Due to unresolved cases, thousands of workers are waiting for justice. Workers turn to the NLRB when their employer breaks the law and without a fully functional NLRB, they are left with no recourse to recoup lost wages, get their jobs back or resolve other violations of our labor laws. The NLRB is essential to enforcing our labor laws and must be able to do its job. Obstructionism in the Senate should not stand in the way of workers seeking justice."

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy. www.seiu.org

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