Labor Commissioner

On October 18th I formally announced my candidacy for NC Labor Commissioner. With a united Democratic Party, we can finally take back this office!

My focus as Labor Commissioner will be protecting NC workers by ensuring there is fairness and transparency in the workplace safety inspection process and being a strong advocate and partner with the community college system to train and re-train North Carolinians for jobs. “Being Labor Commissioner is about showing up to work everyday to ensure that North Carolinians have good jobs and safe workplaces.”

“In a tough campaign season with limited resources, it is important for our Party to be united. With my early start and strong campaign structure in place, we have a plan and strategy to win.” Visit our webpage at marlowefoster.com to learn more about my candidacy. Please post follow-ups.

Labor Management Commissioner at odds with OSHA:

A high-ranking federal OSHA official took sharp issue with recent comments by N.C. Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry, saying her critique of a federal program was "rife with errors."

"We reject their notion that the way to make North Carolina workplaces safer is through higher penalties, 'shaming' businesses through the media, beefing up enforcement, relegating consultation efforts to the back row, and a one-size-fits-all approach," Berry wrote in an e-mail. "I'll go after the bad apples but we must have consultation, education and training as part of an effective safety and health program."

Translation: "If we have to keep track of all these pesky injuries, it makes it harder for us to do nothing about them."

Fads trump election transparency.(electronic voting?). Since North Carolina passed its paper ballot law, its been harder to mess up the vote. So here comes Instant Runoff Voting, which is hardly transparent. NC tested IRV in 2007, and found a "creative" 100 plus steps method to count IRV on touchscreens.This may get a test again in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Why bother working for verified voting when it gets undone so easily?

Hi folks! I wanted to take a moment to say hello and to thank Betsy and James for organizing a live blog on Wednesday (June 18th) at 7pm. Thank you also to the BlueNC community for your interest in the Labor Commissioner's race. I'm excited to exchange ideas with all of you on Wednesday, and I welcome your questions.

As many of you know, I'm running for N.C. Commissioner of Labor. Thanks to all of you who took an early interest in this race, including those of you who worked hard for Robin Anderson. Robin was a strong candidate, and I respect her immensely. I'm honored to have her support moving forward.

The Charlotte Observer Editorial Board Endorsed Robin Anderson Today.

Yesterday brought news that both the Simkins PAC of Greensboro and the NC Academy of Trial Lawyers endorsed Robin Anderson for Labor Commissioner.

Yesterday the Robin Anderson campaign announced an endorsement by the RWCA and today released a biographical web video.

Dont forget to join us at 7pm for a live-blog.

Today Robin Anderson, Democratic candidate for Labor Commissioner, announced her endorsement by the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Sunday the Charlotte Observer printed an interview with Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry. The interview covered her reaction to the groundbreaking investigation of the House of Raeford poultry plants.

Shocking is the only word that can be used to describe Berry’s reaction.