President-elect Trump has announced many Cabinet appointments and last week announced Andy Puzder, head of fast food brands Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., for Secretary of Labor.  Several names were circulated in recent weeks as possible successors to outgoing Secretary Thomas Perez, including Vicki Lipnic, a current EEOC Commissioner.  However, in recent days it became clearer that Puzder was the top choice.

Puzder, a lawyer, is well published on topics of employment law and represents a pro-employer perspective, with previously expressed views in opposition to significantly increasing minimum wage and the recently enjoined changes to the FLSA overtime regulations.  He has also been critical of the recent rulings on joint employment relationships.  Viewed as a mainstream Republican – he served as Mitt Romney’s economic advisor during the 2011-2012 campaign season – Puzder will bring years of corporate management experience to the roll of running the Department of Labor.