NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAW PROJECT ANNOUNCES
BRUCE HERMAN AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

For Immediate Release: June 14, 2004
Contact:  Cathy Ruckelshaus (212-285-3025, ext. 107)

New York (June 14, 2004) – The National Employment Law Project (NELP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce Herman as the organization’s new executive director.   He will take office beginning June 28, 2004.

Mr. Herman brings major leadership and substantive experience to NELP and the broader community of organizations advocating for the rights of the nation’s low-wage workers.  A pioneer in the movement promoting new “high road” economic development partnerships, Mr. Herman served as the President of the Garment Industry Development Corporation in New York City, then as Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Working for American Institute in Washington, D.C.  He returned to New York City in 2002 to establish the Center for Workforce and Economic Development, a collaborative labor, employment and community response to the economic aftershocks of September 11th, at the Consortium for Worker Education.    Mr. Herman has also held research positions documenting the economic restructuring of major low-wage worker industries, and he has worked on several collaborations with labor organizations internationally.

“These are critical times for the nation’s unemployed and low-wage workers, and now is the time to redouble our efforts to support the rights of America’s most vulnerable workers,” said Mr. Herman.  “I look forward to the opportunity to work with NELP’s incredible staff and board, and its many allies across the country, to help today’s low-wage working families reach their greatest potential.”  “The NELP Board of Directors is excited about working with Bruce, and we’re convinced that his breadth of experience will help forge an even more vibrant and versatile NELP, one that will continue to be a national leader in the movement to protect the interests of low-wage workers.” said Marttie Thompson, NELP’s Board Chair.

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