Seth D. Sonderling, a Senate-confirmed deputy secretary, has stepped into the acting role of U.S. Secretary of Labor. The move, following the failed nomination of Julie Su, has drawn cautious support from at least one labor union, according to a source report.. Sonderling takes over a department still reeling from allegations of misconduct and misuse of funds under his predecessor, C. Andrew Chavez-DeRemer.

A union’s cautious approval of Sonderling’s pro-business record

Despite Sonderling’s traditionally conservative labor and deregulation history, one union official expressed contentment with the current situation, stating, “As things stand right now, the way they are right now, we’re good with that.” The same official, as reported by the source, emphasized that continuing focus on U.S. manufacturing and production — including the passage of the Faster Labor Contracts Act — remains critical, and noted that the administration has been receptive to the union’s advocacy.

Business groups had lobbied for Sonderling to balance the preceding administration, according to the source, highlighting the unusual coalition behind his acting role. The union’s qualified endorsement signals a pragmatic truce, but it is far from a blanket embrace of Sonderling’s policy leanings.

The scandal-ridden shadow of C. Andrew Chavez-DeRemer

Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure at the Department of Labor left a toxic legacy. The source report details multiple controversies: investigations into misuse of government funds for personal travel by her staff, allegations of sexual misconduct by her husband, and reports of her own inappropriate behavior while under the influence of alcohol. These allegations eroded workplace morale and productivity.

Sonderling’s leadership has been praised for improving both morale and productivity, as the report notes. The contrast between the two leaders is stark — one mired in scandal, the other presenting a steady, if conservative, hand. yet the department’s recovery from the previous culture remains a work in progress.

What Sonderling’s Wage and Hour Division past signals for workers

Sonderling previously served as acting administrator of the Wage and Hour Division under the first Trump administration, a role that cemented his reputation for deregulation and business-friendly enforcement. Business groups lobbied for his appointment precisely to counterbalance Chavez-DeRemer’s record, according to the source. this background raises questions about how aggressively the department will enforce worker protections under his watch.

While union supporters have praised his openness to dialogue, the substantive impact may depend on whether Sonderling pushes for reduced regulatory burdens on employers — a move that could alienate the very unions now giving him tentative support.

The unresolved question of a permanent Secretary

The source notes that Sonderling’s acting role arose after former President Biden’s indefinite nomination of then-Acting Secretary Julie Su failed to gather sufficient Democratic support. Now, with Sonderling confirmed as deputy secretary but not nominated for the top post, the path to permanence remains unclear. Will the administration formally nominate him, or will a new candidate emerge?

Furthermore,the union support cited comes from one organization, not a consensus. Other labor groups may withhold endorsement, especially if Sonderling’s pro-business actions clash with worker-interest legislation like the Faster Labor Contracts Act. The political landscape surrounding the Department of Labor remains fluid,and Sonderling’s next moves will be closely watched.