Labor Secretary nominee Andy Puzder is having a tough confirmation process. The Carl's Jr. and Hardee's CEO has been accused of exploitive labor practices, misogynistic advertising and even domestic violence. Now his backers are trying to salvage his nomination and reputation.
"I had four months clean, off drugs, when I came in, and was trying to get my kids back" says the first, "I had an awesome manager ... I got my kids back and she worked with my schedule. I'm able to take them to school in the morning."
"I was having difficulty finding a job," says another, but was hired "on the spot" when she applied to Hardee's. She too praises her flexible work schedule so she can "take care of my grandchildren. They mean the world to me."
A third said she joined Carl's Jr. after she wanted to "change my life a little bit" and "was there about month and a half before I was promoted." The last woman enthuses about the Hardee's work environment, assuring "we're like a big ol' family."
But what's missing from the video is direct praise about Puzder from his workers. They have nice words for their immediate supervisors, but they don't credit Puzder himself, or have any personal stories about Puzder to share.
With Puzder facing a massive assault from progressive opponents, and with even some Republicans wavering on his nomination, his supporters may need some material that packs a bigger emotional punch to defuse opposition.
Four Hardee's and Carl's Jr. Employees Praise Their Workplaces
The Employment Policies Institute, a conservative non-profit often critical of labor unions, released a video featuring four testimonials of happy Carl's Jr. and Hardee's employees, all female, in hopes of rebutting the narrative that Puzder is a stingy and sexist boss. (All four were previously featured at an EPI panel discussion supporting Puzder in Washington, DC.)"I had four months clean, off drugs, when I came in, and was trying to get my kids back" says the first, "I had an awesome manager ... I got my kids back and she worked with my schedule. I'm able to take them to school in the morning."
"I was having difficulty finding a job," says another, but was hired "on the spot" when she applied to Hardee's. She too praises her flexible work schedule so she can "take care of my grandchildren. They mean the world to me."
A third said she joined Carl's Jr. after she wanted to "change my life a little bit" and "was there about month and a half before I was promoted." The last woman enthuses about the Hardee's work environment, assuring "we're like a big ol' family."
But Where's The Praise For Puzder?
Sprinkled on the screen are bullet points from a survey of employees released in January, including "92% of Hardee's and Carl's Jr. employees say it's a great place to work" and "90 of Hardee's and Carl's Jr. employees admire company management." The video then encourages viewers to learn more about Puzder at Andy.Puzder.com.But what's missing from the video is direct praise about Puzder from his workers. They have nice words for their immediate supervisors, but they don't credit Puzder himself, or have any personal stories about Puzder to share.
With Puzder facing a massive assault from progressive opponents, and with even some Republicans wavering on his nomination, his supporters may need some material that packs a bigger emotional punch to defuse opposition.