AFL-CIO President Sweeney on Judge Sonia Sotomayor

America’s workers applaud the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. She is a brilliant jurist and in her distinguished career has worked at almost every level of our judicial system - as a prosecutor, litigator, trial court and appellate judge –
and would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years.

Judge Sotomayor will also bring to the Supreme Court a direct and personal understanding of the struggles America’s workers endure every day. She grew up in public housing in the Bronx, the daughter of a factory worker, and understands the real world consequences of the
decisions she makes from the bench.

Judge Sotomayor’s record reflects an understanding of the law’s impact on working families and has consistently int 1995, she recognized that the owners had forced the strike by engaging in unlawful conduct, and issued an injunction which reversed the unlawful acts. She has enforced the rights of all 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. She has recognized that persecution for union activity can be a basis for granting asylum in this country.

Judge Sotomayor is a bipartisan choice – she was initially appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush and has previously been confirmed by the Senate – we urge the Senate to swiftly confirm her to the Supreme Court.


###