Puzder, a Foe of Minimum Wage and Overtime Rule, Tapped to Lead DOL

Author: Michael Cardman, XpertHR Legal Editor

UPDATE - February 15, 2017: Andrew Puzder has withdrawn his nomination.

December 9, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Andrew Puzder as Secretary of Labor, according to multiple news sources.

Trump said, "Andy will fight to make American workers safer and more prosperous by enforcing fair occupational safety standards and ensuring workers receive the benefits they deserve, and he will save small businesses from the crushing burdens of unnecessary regulations that are stunting job growth and suppressing wages," the Associated Press reported.

Puzder is the CEO of CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Carl's Jr., Hardee's and other fast food restaurant chains.

In that role, he has criticized recent minimum wage increases at the state and local levels, saying they hurt small businesses, limit job opportunities for youths and encourage automation.

Puzder also came out against the Obama administration's overtime rule, arguing it would force employers to reduce hours, salaries or bonuses.

This stance suggests that the US Department of Labor (DOL) would be unlikely to continue its current appeal of a preliminary injunction against the overtime rule issued last month.