DOL News Brief

August 13, 2009

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What's Hot: Unemployment Rate Dips

Employers cut fewer jobs than forecast in July, and the unemployment rate dipped for the first time in more than a year, the DOL reported on Friday. "We are not in recovery yet, but we are starting to create the stability necessary to get us there, and we will not be satisfied until we see robust, monthly job growth," Secretary Solis said to reporters.

• Read the News Release
• Read the Secretary's Statement

National News: 45th Anniversary of Job Corps

In advance of next week's 45th anniversary of Job Corps, Secretary Solis toured DC's Potomac Center, and reminded students and staff of the vital role the program plays in training the next generation of workers. There are 123 Job Corp Centers across the country.

• View the Slideshow

Recovery Highlights: Hawaii UI Modernization

Hawaii qualified for $20,351,150 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds under the Recovery Act. This is the second release of funds to the state. Among other efforts, Hawaii updated its law to make it easier for workers who become unemployed for compelling family reasons to be eligible for benefits.

• Read the News Release
• Read all UI Modernization News Releases

Spotlight on States: Iowa & North Carolina

Iowa

Iowa is getting a new, state-of-the art Job Corps Center. Secretary Solis joined U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) on Sunday for the groundbreaking in Ottumwa. The center, scheduled to be completed in November 2010, will provide job training for more than 500 students. While in Iowa, Solis also announced a $522,000 grant to assist workers affected by layoffs in Iowa.

• View the Slideshow
• Read the News Release

North Carolina

DOL's Wage and Hour Division fined nine farms and seventeen farm labor contractors doing business in Bladen and Craven counties, N.C., for violating federal labor law, including employing children as young as eight years old as farm laborers. In other North Carolina news, the state is receiving a $2M grant to help jobless workers with partial premium payments for health insurance while seeking new careers.

• Read the Wage & Hour News Release
• Read the Grant News Release

Opportunities are Open: DOL is Hiring

DOL is all about "Good Jobs for Everyone." We’re hiring all over the country and may have the right job for you. Watch for terrific positions every week.

1. Positions in Arlington, VA
   Regulatory Specialist — Grade 14
   DE-09-MSHA-287
   Close: 8/21/2009
2. Multiple positions in Washington DC Metro Area
   Special Assistant — Grade 12
   DE-09-ETA-095
   Close: 8/19/2009
3. Multiple positions in Boston, MA Metro Area
   Safety and Occupational Health Specialist (Maritime) — Grade 12
   DE-09-BOS-OSHA-145
   Close: 8/26/2009

Jobs Top Energy Summit Agenda

“Igniting a green revolution has the potential to help power our economy out of recession by providing good, safe, stable jobs and reinvigorating the manufacturing industry." That was the message from Secretary Solis at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas on Monday.

The summit explored how to create good jobs in emerging green industries. Solis spoke on a panel that included U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, industrialist T. Boone Pickens, LIUNA President Terrance O'Sullivan, and former Vice President Al Gore.

• The National Clean Energy Summit
• Read the Secretary's Remarks

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Spotlight: Prevailing Wage Conferences

DOL's Wage & Hour Division will host regional prevailing wage conferences to provide guidance on labor laws applicable to the Recovery Act. Each will provide information to federal, state, and local contracting communities, as well as other key stakeholders, on the Davis-Bacon Act, McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

• August 18-20 — Chicago, IL
• August 25-27 — Orlando, FL
• Sept. 15-17 — Long Beach, CA
• Sept. 22-24 — San Antonio, TX
• Sept. 29-Oct.1 — Boston, MA

OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminars Next Week

• August 14 — Chicago, IL
• August 18 — Kansas City, MO
• August 19 — Miami, FL
• August 19 — Chicago, IL
• August 19 — Omaha, NE
• August 19 — Indianapolis, IN
• August 19 — St. Louis, MO
• August 19 — Orange, CA
• August 19 — Nashville, TN
• August 20 — Seattle, WA
• August 20 — Milwaukee, WI
• August 20 — Minneapolis, MN

AAP Development & Preparing for a Desk Audit

• August 20 — Philadelphia, PA

Attorney / Consultant Symposium

• August 20 — Chicago, IL

Mega Pre-Construction Conference

• August 18 — Secaucus, NJ
• August 20 — New York, NY

Compliance Assistance Seminar for Construction Contractors

• August 20 — Baltimore, MD

Compliance Assistance Seminar for Supply & Service Contractors

• August 21 — Richmond, VA

OLMS Compliance Assistance Forum

• August 17 — New Orleans, LA

ARRA Grant Application Deadlines

• State Labor Market Information Improvement Grants
  (SGA/DFA PY 08-17)
  Close: 8/14/2009
• Energy Training Partnership Grants
  (SGA/DFA PY 08-18)
  Close: 9/4/2009
• Pathways Out of Poverty
  (SGA/DFA PY 08-19)
  Close: 9/29/2009
• Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries
  (SGA/DFA PY 09-01)
  Close: 10/5/2009
• State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) and Training Grants
  (SGA/DFA PY-08-20)
  Close: 10/20/2009