Marty Walsh Confirmed As Labor Secretary, Resigns As Mayor Of Boston
BOSTON (CBS) – Marty Walsh has resigned as mayor of Boston after the Senate confirmed him as the next Labor Secretary. The Senate vote was 68-29 on Monday night.
Walsh will be sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris at 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. He is the first union member to be Secretary of Labor in nearly 50 years.
"I have been a fighter for the rights of working people throughout my career, and I remain committed to ensuring that everyone – especially those in our most marginalized communities – receives and benefits from full access to economic opportunity and fair treatment in the workplace," Walsh said. "I believe we must meet this historic moment and, as the nation's Secretary of Labor, I pledge to help our economy build back better."
Walsh was first elected mayor in 2013. Before that, he was a state representative for nearly 20 years and held leadership positions in multiple labor unions.
He said the last eight weeks have been bittersweet. "I think about the neighborhoods I grew up in and lived in," Walsh said Monday night. "I think about the people I represent, all the kids and the families I've seen. I think about all the people that we've tried to make an impact on."
When Walsh officially resigned as mayor at 9 p.m. Monday, City Council President Kim Janey became the city's first woman and first person of color to become Boston Mayor.
"I was texting with Council President Janey last night. I texted, 'think about this for a minute, a little girl from Roxbury is about to be mayor of Boston.' And her response was, 'think about this for a minute, a little boy from Dorchester is about to be United States Labor Secretary,'" Walsh said. "What an amazing city that we live in and what an amazing time that we're experiencing right now."
Walsh will have to address labor issues spotlighted by the pandemic, like safety in the workplace. There is also the ongoing fight for a $15 an hour minimum wage.
"This job is going to take every ounce of goodwill and political skill that Marty Walsh has," WBZ-TV's Jon Keller said.
Boston voters will choose a new mayor in November. Walsh said he will not endorse any mayoral candidates.