The nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer to become the Trump administration’s secretary of labor has roused the concerns of the business community because of her pro-union actions in the U.S. House of Representatives.
But the restaurant industry has no need to worry, according to a restaurant lobbyist who has worked with the congresswoman on issues pertinent to the business.
“She’s going to be terrific when it comes to the issues that matter to our industry,” Greg Astley, director of government affairs for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, declared during this week’s Working Lunch political podcast. “She’s very practical and pragmatic.”
He stressed that the association has worked closely with Chavez-DeRemer, currently the representative on Capitol Hill of Oregon’s 5th congressional district.
Astley acknowledged that Chavez-DeRemer has been supportive of unions since joining the House in 2023 as the representative from Oregon’s 5th District. She was one of the few Republicans in the chamber to vote for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, a landmark proposal that would greatly eased the process of unionizing a company’s workers.
But, Astley stressed, Chavez-DeRemer has been popular with restaurateurs in her state because she ran a small business of her own. The former mayor of a small California town joined her husband, a medical doctor, in launching a company that managed anesthesiologists.
“She understands what it takes,” Astley says.
For more perspective on what restaurateurs can expect from Trump’ cabinet, give a listen. The installment also provides a review of the restaurant-related legislation and regulations that are pending at the federal, state and local levels.
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