Republican Luke Farley, candidate for NC labor commissioner, answers our questions
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Candidates for NC Commissioner of Labor
Voters will elect a new commissioner of labor in the 2024 general election. Republican Luke Farley is running against Democrat Braxton Winston II. Get to know both candidates with our NC Voter Guide.
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To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Luke Farley
Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 39
Campaign website: Luke4Labor.com
Current occupation: Workplace safety attorney, fighting to protect workers and their jobs.
Professional experience: As a workplace safety attorney with over 14 years of experience, I’ve been on the front lines keeping workers safe and helping small businesses create more and better paying job opportunities for North Carolinians while staying compliant with the OSHA safety regulations.
Education: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.) with honors and distinction; Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D.)
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Served on the N.C. Human Relations Commission and the Durham County Board of Elections.
What would be your top priority if elected?
I’m running to keep North Carolina workers safe, healthy and employed. I want every worker to go home safe at the end of the workday — and the next day, I want them to go back to a safe, good-paying job that allows them to support themselves and their family. The top issue at the N.C. Department of Labor is the unfilled inspector positions, with vacancies around 25%. I’ll work with legislators to secure the funding we need to fill these positions. A fully staffed department is the most important thing we can do to protect workers.
What percentage raises should your state agency’s employees receive in the next state budget?
Eleven percent of the staff positions at the N.C. Department of Labor are currently unfilled. Considering these vacancies, I’ll advocate to the General Assembly for pay raises of at least 10% across the board to attract and retain the best talent in order to protect the rights of North Carolina’s workers.
Will you attend all Council of State meetings?
Yes, I look forward to joining the Council of State so I can be an advocate for North Carolina’s workers. I’ll prepare for and attend all Council of State meetings.
How will you work with the other nine members of the council, including the governor?
I will work with all Council of State members to get things done, regardless of party affiliation. We are all working together to serve the people of North Carolina.
Whether it’s you or your opponent, North Carolina will have a new labor commissioner after the election. What worked well under the current commissioner, and what would you do differently than him?
I’m proud to have the endorsement of former Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry and current Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson. North Carolina has maintained a rate of workplace accidents below the national average, a key measure of success. One area for improvement is the wait time for voluntary safety inspections — one of the key educational tools we can use to create safe work environments. Right now, the average wait time is 95 days. I will set a goal of cutting the wait time to 45 days.
Would you put your photo on elevator inspection certificates?
North Carolinians deserve to feel safe whenever they ride an elevator. As labor commissioner, I’ll restore accountability by bringing back the commissioner’s picture on elevator inspection certificates — showing the people who’s working for them and increasing government accountability. If I’m putting my name, signature and photo on an inspection certificate, it’s because I stand behind the work of our inspectors, guaranteeing the safety of riders.
Construction worker deaths have climbed in North Carolina in recent years. What is your philosophy on workplace safety, and how would you address this issue, specifically?
One death on the job is one too many. I will target enforcement towards jobs and industries with the greatest risk. Education is just as important. While fines punish violations, education helps prevent them. Consultative safety visits allow safety inspectors to identify potential hazards and give employers a chance to fix problems before accidents occur. When we focus on education and fill the gaps in oversight, we can build workplaces where safety isn’t just a rule — it’s a culture.
Do you think the state should overturn the law banning collective bargaining for public sector employees? Why or why not?
I’m proud to be endorsed by labor organizations and business groups. I believe in individual freedom for workers, that no one should be forced to join a union just to keep their job. I’ll work with labor groups to ensure their voice is heard in every major decision. The wages of public sector employees are set by elected officials, and I support the right of those workers to go to their representatives to advocate for better pay and benefits, whether as individuals or as part of an association.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
While I’m a fiscal conservative, more money needs to be spent on salaries and benefits to attract the best talent to the N.C. Department of Labor to fill the 11% of positions that remain unfilled. Filling vacant positions will keep everyone in North Carolina safer.
This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 12:06 PM.
