Dec. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Representative Hilda Solis, a California Democrat, is President-elect Barack Obama’s choice to be Labor secretary, according to Democratic officials.

Solis, 51, is a four-term member of Congress with an extensive record on environmental issues. Her legislative accomplishments include spearheading a bill to provide workers with training for “green-collar” employment. Such initiatives are a hallmark of Obama’s plan to address the country’s energy needs and create new jobs.

Obama has promised to press an ambitious labor agenda to strengthen unions, protect jobs and bolster the middle class. The president-elect is set to announce the Solis appointment tomorrow in Chicago, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Solis, who grew up in a union household in Los Angeles County, is a favorite of labor groups, including the Service Employees International Union.

“We’re thrilled,” said SEIU President Andy Stern, who canvassed door-to-door with Solis when she first ran as a state senator. “She’s been as strong a voice for justice for SEIU workers like our janitors and homecare workers as we’ve ever had.”

The new Labor secretary will be at the forefront of the push for a new law, the Employee Free Choice Act, aimed at making it easier for workers to organize. The measure is organized labor’s top priority for the new administration and Congress.

Legislation Opposed

There is strong opposition to the legislation from businesses and Republicans and some Democrats, including the Reverend Al Sharpton. The proposed law would require employers to automatically recognize a union once a majority of workers sign up to join one. Current rules require a federally supervised election process.

Critics say the law would deny employees a secret ballot election and make them vulnerable to union scare tactics. Supporters say the companies are the ones that often use illegal intimidation to stop employees from organizing.

Solis, whose father was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and mother a member of the United Rubber Workers, is a strong advocate of the so-called card check bill. Obama pledged in his campaign to fight for the measure.

Labor officials have been grumbling recently that some of Obama’s Cabinet choices lack strong labor ties. Union chiefs also question why Obama didn’t announce his choice for Labor secretary when he introduced his core economic team, putting them on alert about what kind of influence the Labor Department will have in the new administration.

Workers’ Rights

“Hilda Solis has been a solid supporter of workers’ rights, and so from the labor movement’s point of view, this is someone who will be a strong advocate,” said Jonathan Tasini, executive director of the Labor Research Association in New York.

“My hope is that she will also have the ear of the president and, when key economic policies are thrashed out, she will be given a voice equal to that of the Commerce and Treasury Departments and economic voices that represent business,” Tasini said.

Solis would succeed Elaine Chao, who has held the job for all eight years of the Bush administration, making her the longest-serving Labor secretary since Frances Perkins under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kim Chipman in Chicago at kchipman@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 18, 2008 16:07 EST