Over the past several weeks, we’ve reported a date & time for the impending confirmation hearing of Labor Secretary nominee Andy Puzder – each time giving a date in the upcoming week when the hearing was scheduled, and each week it has been postponed. Next week, the US Senate HELP Committee has scheduled a public hearing (again) on the Puzder nomination (Thursday, February 16, 2017) and we’re sure it will happen this time (not really, but we’re hoping)! The past few weeks have been even rougher on Puzder than they have on us trying to report accurate hearing dates. While working to complete his government ethics forms, cope with the no-stop negative anti-Puzder forces working to defeat his nomination and address potential post-confirmation conflicts of interest, a new lawsuit was filed yesterday against his company, CKE Restaurants. Current and former workers at Carl’s Jr. filed a lawsuit in California alleging state anti-trust law violations because of the non-compete clause contained in the Carl’s Jr. franchise agreement. They contend that that clause prohibiting the franchisee from hiring any worker employed by a CKE franchise or entity at a level above shift leader violates state law and blocks workers from better wages and working conditions. Also yesterday, Senate minority leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) held a press conference with other Senate democrats to encourage Andy Puzder to withdraw as the nominee. One could call that a modern-day “we’ll give him a fair trial and then we’ll hang him!” Please consider visiting visit this IFA website created to simplify the process of writing and submitting letters in support of Puzder to the US Senate.