Patrick Pizzella (born May 19, 1954) is an American government official who has served as the United States Deputy Secretary of Labor since April 2018. He briefly led the Department of Labor as acting Secretary from July 20, 2019, to September 30, 2019, following the resignation of Alexander Acosta. Earlier in his public career he was appointed to the Federal Labor Relations Authority; that appointment is a notable element of his record of service in federal labor policy and administration. Federal Labor Relations Authority

Career and background

Pizzella's career spans multiple decades in and around federal government institutions. He has been involved in labor policy, management and administration, and has worked in roles that intersect with both executive agencies and independent federal boards. His professional path includes time as a senior appointee in the Department of Labor and participation in the broader federal labor relations system.

Typical responsibilities and institutional roles

  • Deputy Secretary of Labor: As Deputy Secretary, Pizzella functions as the department's second-ranking official, helping to manage daily operations, oversee program implementation, and coordinate policy across bureaus and offices.
  • Federal Labor Relations Authority member: The FLRA adjudicates disputes and interprets collective bargaining law for federal employees; service on the FLRA involves rulemaking, decisions on unfair labor practice cases, and guidance to federal agencies.
  • Acting secretary duties: During an acting tenure, the official maintains continuity of leadership, represents the department in interagency and congressional matters, and ensures ongoing administration of labor programs.

Acting Secretary of Labor, 2019

Pizzella became acting Secretary of Labor on July 20, 2019, after Alexander Acosta announced his resignation. In that temporary capacity he was responsible for steering the department through the transition period while a permanent successor was nominated and confirmed. His acting service concluded on September 30, 2019, when the department transitioned to its next confirmed leadership. Alexander Acosta and the change in leadership were widely reported at the time; contemporaneous coverage and official notices provide detail on that transition. Acting Secretary period

Significance and reception

Pizzella's appointments have been of interest to labor organizations, employers, and policymakers because the Department of Labor plays a central role in wage rules, workplace safety, unemployment programs and benefits administration. Appointments to senior labor roles typically draw scrutiny from unions and business groups alike; observers have evaluated his policy positions and administrative priorities in light of ongoing debates over labor regulation and enforcement.

Overall, Patrick Pizzella is a long-serving public official whose work has focused on the organization and administration of federal labor policy. For readers seeking official documents, rulings or announcements from his periods of service, agency releases and the public record held by the Department of Labor and the Federal Labor Relations Authority are primary sources.