Key Takeaways
- William Wiatrowski has been appointed as the Acting Chief of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), following the removal of the previous commissioner.
- The appointment comes amidst concerns raised by US Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer regarding the accuracy and integrity of BLS jobs data.
- Wiatrowski, who has served as the BLS Deputy Commissioner since 2015, brings extensive experience to the role, having previously held the acting commissioner position on multiple occasions.
The US Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, announced today that William Wiatrowski will serve as the Acting Chief of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This appointment follows the decision to replace the prior commissioner, with Secretary Chavez-DeRemer emphasizing the need for fair and accurate jobs data that is not manipulated for political purposes.
Wiatrowski is a seasoned veteran of the BLS, having held the position of Deputy Commissioner since 2015. His extensive background includes serving as Acting Commissioner from January 2017 to March 2019, and again from March 2023 to January 2024. He also served as Associate Commissioner of the Office of Compensation and Working Conditions from 2005 to 2015.
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer's statements on social media platform X underscored her full agreement with the President's stance that "our jobs numbers must be fair, accurate, and never manipulated for political purposes." This move signals a focus on ensuring public trust in the critical economic data provided by the BLS.
The BLS is a vital unit of the United States Department of Labor, serving as the principal fact-finding agency for the U.S. government in labor economics and statistics. It plays a crucial role in collecting, processing, analyzing, and disseminating essential statistical data to the American public, Congress, federal agencies, and various other stakeholders. Wiatrowski's long tenure and prior experience as Acting Commissioner position him to lead the agency during this transitional period.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.