USW Lauds Sotomayor Nomination; Cites Her Strong Interpretation of Law; Enforcement of Statutory Rights for Workers

CONTACT: Wayne Ranick (412) 562-2444

PITTSBURGH, — The United Steelworkers (USW) today commended President Obama on his nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court. First nominated by President George H.W. Bush to the federal court, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic justice — and only the third woman justice — in the history of the nation’s highest court.

“Judge Sotomayor is a sound, progressive judge who is blessed with a brilliant legal mind,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “Her journey from a South Bronx housing project to the pinnacle of the legal profession proves that the American Dream is true: with hard work and perseverance, nothing is beyond imagination.”

Sotomayor has worked at almost every level of the judicial system during a distinguished career spanning three decades. She has served as a prosecutor, litigator, trial court and appellate judge — yielding a depth of experience and a breadth of perspective currently not represented on the Supreme Court.

“She is a hard working practical judge who is a sound interpreter of the law,” Gerard added.

As a trial judge, she earned a reputation as a sharp and fearless jurist who does not let powerful interests bully her into departing from the rule of law. In 1995, Judge Sotomayor ended the baseball strike by issuing an injunction against major league baseball owners. She has enforced the rights of workers to be free of all types of discrimination at work, to be paid the correct wages and to receive health benefits to which they are entitled.

“We are pleased with the President’s nomination,” said Fred Redmond, USW International Vice President of Human Affairs. “We believe that the Court should represent the diversity of our society. All Steelworkers join in with our women and Hispanic members in taking exceptional pride in President Obama’s choice.”

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