Washington — President Joe Biden has nominated Christopher Williamson to lead the Mine Security and Well being Administration.
If confirmed, Williamson, senior counsel to National Labor Relations Board Chair Lauren McFerran, would take over for acting administrator Jeannette Galanis. Former coal trade govt David Zatezalo was the company’s most up-to-date Senate-confirmed chief, serving from November 2017 till this previous January.
In accordance to a Nov. 12 White Home press launch, Williamson, a local of West Virginia, labored at MSHA in the course of the Obama administration, advising the assistant secretary on company coverage, operations and communications. He additionally served as labor counsel to former Senate Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D-IA) and as a legislative assistant to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).
“As labor counsel, he advised Chairman Harkin and committee members on labor, occupational and mine safety and health, and black lung benefits and other workers’ compensation issues,” the discharge states.
Earlier than that, Williamson was an attorney-advisor for Administrative Regulation Decide Jacqueline Bulluck on the Federal Mine Security and Well being Assessment Commission. He earned his legislation diploma from West Virginia College.
Williamson doubtless will seem earlier than the Senate HELP Committee for a affirmation listening to. At press time, no date had been set.
In a press release launched Nov. 12, United Mine Employees of America Worldwide President Cecil Roberts urges the Senate to verify Williamson’s nomination as quickly as attainable.
“Chris Williamson is the most knowledgeable expert on mine safety and health in Washington today,” Roberts stated. “His in-depth understanding of what it takes to preserve miners safer and more healthy at work is unmatched, and I count on that the Mine Security and Well being Administration can be a stronger advocate for miners beneath his watch.
“Chris comes from a mining background in West Virginia. Making sure that miners come home safely to their families each and every day is part of his very being.”