APWU National Executive Board Calls for the Secretary of Labor to Resign

On Friday, March 1 the APWU National Executive Board unanimously passed the following statement:

Alex Acosta is unfit to serve as Secretary of Labor.

Recently the Miami Herald produced a detailed and documented exposé regarding the sexual abuse scandal of dozens of underage/teenage girls over many years by billionaire hedge fund manager Jeffery Epstein.

Epstein used his money and influence to escape justice. In a secret plea bargain, no charges were filed for sexual abuse of minors. Instead he pled guilty to a felony “prostitution” charge in state court and received a 13-month sentence. According to the Miami Herald, “…in return Epstein and his accomplices received immunity from federal sex-trafficking charges that could have sent him to prison for life.” He served his sentence in a private cell and was allowed to leave for his office every day.

Furthermore, victims were never notified of the plea agreement and were thus denied their legal rights and the opportunity to oppose it. 

The current Secretary of Labor and Trump administration cabinet member, Alex Acosta, brokered this secret deal that covered for the crimes, abandoned the victims, broke the law and was a miscarriage of justice. At the time he was the U.S. Attorney for southern Florida.

The Secretary of Labor oversees the agency responsible for labor laws, including human and sex trafficking and international child labor laws.

In defense of young women and all working people, the APWU Executive Board demands that Alex Acosta be removed as Secretary of Labor, either by resignation or termination by the U.S. President.