Labor Secretary to visit Ohio on Labor Day

9/2/2013

CINCINNATI — The secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor is expected to speak at a Labor Day picnic in Cincinnati today.

Labor Secretary Thomas Perez is planning to go to the annual picnic at Coney Island Amusement Park.

A news release about his visit says he’ll speak to the crowd about the strength of American workers and how to improve lives of the middle class.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Thomas says he is taking a lead role in President Barack Obama’s push to boost the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour.

Perez took helm of the Labor Department a little over a month ago. He says his primary role will be as an advocate for workers.