US Labor Secretary Brings ‘Good Jobs’ Tour to Birmingham

By Sym Posey

The Birmingham Times

Good jobs change lives, bring dignity and respect and support families, U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su said Wednesday at the North Birmingham Library.

Su, visiting as part of the Good Jobs summer tour, said employment is not only transformative for the people who have it and for their children and their families, “but it uplifts entire communities and instills hope. That’s why today’s Good Jobs Principles are so important, and why the Good Jobs Alliance we’re building across the country matters so much.”

The tour, which aims to highlight the importance of good jobs across the country, drew a crowd of municipal officials, labor and business leaders and area workers as Su addressed the quality of jobs through fair employment, better wages , benefits and job security.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin highlighted what he said were the key qualities of a good employer.

“(They) focus on hiring and retention … (they) are very intentional about the morale of their employees … very intentional about creating an atmosphere where employees feel safe,” Woodfin said. “I feel they have safe spaces open to share ideas, issues and concerns. I also believe that a great employer creates a space where the policies and decisions they make with their employees.”

Su and Woodfin agreed with the principles outlined in the Good Jobs campaign which included: recruitment and hiring, benefits, diversity, the right to union representation, job security and fair working conditions.

She described the principles as an “infrastructure of opportunity” where the path to progress is clear.

“These roads and bridges are just as important as our physical roads and bridges,” she said.

Su and Woodfin also attended a workforce roundtable before her official presentation.