A bill filed Wednesday would take away some of Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry's authority.
The legislation would move the state's responsibility for enforcing workplace safety from the N.C. Department of Labor, overseen by Berry, to the N.C. Department of Commerce, which is run by a member of the governor's Cabinet.
Sen. Doug Berger, a Youngsville Democrat, said he sponsored the bill out of frustration with what he called Berry's "laissez-faire," "see-no-evil" and partisan approach to the office.
Specifically, he said he was upset she did not take stronger action to regulate the poultry industry after a Charlotte Observer series last year revealed problems with worker conditions.
He argued that voters would hold Gov. Beverly Perdue more accountable for problems with workplace safety enforcement than Berry, even though she faced a statewide election last November, because voters and the media paid little attention to the race.
"There's no question that most people in the state feel they can ride an elevator safely," he said, referring to photos of Berry on state elevator licenses. "She's done a good job on that, and that's why she was re-elected."
Even if a more active labor commissioner were elected later, Berger said he would support leaving the authority under the governor permanently.
Update: Berger and Berry have some history together. She defeated him in the 2000 labor commissioner race by two-tenths of one percent.
Comments
Re: Berger: Put Perdue over chickens
January 30, 2009 - 10:40am — CitizenOpinionatedAnd did anyone follow the "Charlotte Observer" articles concerning the problems. Well they were written by a man, clearly a Democrat according to his voting record, that favored Mary-Faye as he was poised to be her Communications Director. He wrote an article with no objectivity and his claims were easily disproved by my research and rebuttals using simply FEC reports...If Berger is citing that as his motivation, then perhaps he is misinformed or still really bitter about getting beat by a straight talking advocate for hard work, responsibility, and honesty.
Re: Berger: Put Perdue over chickens
January 30, 2009 - 10:37am — CitizenOpinionatedStop being a bitter old man Berger...by the way...that photo is hilarious.
Re: Berger: Put Perdue over chickens
January 30, 2009 - 10:37am — CitizenOpinionatedPortzman - The voters have spoken and she "won" as BO recently said to the GOPers. Apparently the voters of NC see her doing her job and doing it well as she is one of two GOPers to survive the "blue" wave. I think the Commerce Secretary has plenty on their plate considering we are in a economic recession. Plus, it is the commerce that started talks with Dell and other companies with huge incentive packages...that has really paid off.
No way Berger...
Re: Berry isn't the slightest bit interested in more staff
January 29, 2009 - 8:53pm — tangozProtzman is not interested in what is right, only what will keep Democrats in power. Corruption be damned.
Re: Berger: Put Perdue over chickens
January 29, 2009 - 8:51pm — tangozHmm the Democrats take power away from the state auditor because he was taking out their corrupt politicians left and right and finding illegally used funds. He was getting too close to Basnight and Rand.
Now they go after another Republican because she tries to work with NC corporations. Not shut them down. Gee, is this the Soviet Socialist Republic of North Carolina?
Re: Berry isn't the slightest bit interested in more staff
January 29, 2009 - 7:00pm — wwf165Maybe Secretary Berry is interested in doing her job, maybe she isn't. But the fact is that she was elected to do the job. Granted many people may not know who the Council of State is, or what each position does - and perhaps the bigger issue is whether or not various council of state positions are necessary, or whether they should be elected or should be appointed. But until that is addressed across the board, in a very systematic fashion it seems to be dangerous/bad public policy for the governor or legislators to start cherry picking which elected positions are necessary and which ones are not.
Berry isn't the slightest bit interested in more staff
January 29, 2009 - 4:52pm — James_ProtzmanNor is she interested in doing her job. Berger's right.
Re: Berger: Put Perdue over chickens
January 29, 2009 - 4:50pm — native_carolinianThere you go, let's set up absolute power for the governor, one person should be able to look after us, then we would only have one state employee. Are you insane, centralized power! Who are you to judge what we see and do? According to our votes Cherie Berry is our Labor Commissioner and has her assigned duties to perform, we will judge her performance not the media. Looks like I need to pay attention to you Sen. Berger and look to see if you have been partisan and laissez-faire in representing your district. Maybe you have used the media to your advantage, or maybe you could help Com.Berry with additional inspection staff. I seem to remember our state needing a lot more help in her department for years. The Department of Commerce should worry about their own duties and help get reliable companies to invest here with employee safety in mind and maybe in their contracts for special incentive programs.