DOL News Brief

September 3, 2009

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What's Hot: Labor Day!

In advance of Labor Day 2009, Secretary Solis traveled to Chicago for her first State of the American Worker address, cosponsored by the Union League Club and the Chicago Federation of Labor. Her message: "Make Labor Day a day 'on' instead of just a day 'off' . . let's all play a personal role in the recovery of our economy." On Tuesday, Solis toured the Paul Simon Job Corps Center in Chicago. She delivered her Labor Day remarks on Wednesday, and attended a picnic for DOL's Chicago employees immediately after.

• View the Video
• Read the Secretary's Remarks
• View the Labor Day Poster (PDF)
• Learn More about the History of Labor Day
• View a Slideshow from the Secretary's Visit to Chicago for Labor Day

In the News: ERISA Turns 35!

On Labor Day 1974, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was signed into law. Now, 35 years later it remains one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever adopted on behalf of American workers. More...

• View the ERISA Anniversary Poster (PDF)
• Find More Information About Retirement Savings and Health

In the News: Dispatches From the Front Lines of Reform

On September 2, Deputy Secretary Seth Harris participated in a Government Executive Magazine forum, "Dispatches from the Front Lines of Reform." Harris discussed how the DOL is moving quickly to evaluate and then to innovate and improve implementation of programs, including investments in U.S. workforce development, worker protection, and worker compensation. Other speakers included VA Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould and USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan.

• View the Video

In Action: OSHA

Illinois is now one of five states and territories authorized by OSHA to administer a safety and health program for their public employees. The program covers more than 1 million public workers and continues the protection Illinois has provided to its public employees for many years. Federal OSHA funds up to 50 percent of the approved program's operating costs.

• Read the News Release

"Focus 4 Hazards" was developed by the Construction Safety Council under an OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant and is available in English, Spanish and Polish. The easy-to-understand training kit summarizes the four major construction hazards and the steps workers can take to recognize, avoid and eliminate those hazards.

• Read about Focus 4 Hazards

OSHA renewed a successful alliance with El Centro de Hospitalidad, a Staten Island, N.Y., community organization, to provide safety and health training and information in Spanish to the area's low-wage workers, including construction laborers, landscapers, and factory and domestic workers. The alliance has its roots in the aftermath of the December 2003 death of a Spanish-speaking worker in a Staten Island trench collapse.

• Read the News Release

Opportunities are Open: DOL is Hiring

DOL has many exciting open job opportunities. We are looking for the right candidate, and that person may be you!  Please consider applying for a DOL position below or check out others at http://www.dol.gov/dol/jobs.htm.

1. Multiple Positions in Washington, DC Metro Area
   Information Technology Specialist (APPSW) — Grade 13
   DE-09-BLS-OT-178
   Close: 9/15/09
2. Position in Washington, DC Metro Area
   Printing Specialist — Grade 09/11
   DE-09-HRC-BOC-197
   Close: 9/11/2009
3. Multiple Positions in Pasadena, CA
   Investigator (Pension) — Grade 12/13
   DE-09-SF-EBSA/LA-140
   Close: 9/11/2009

What do Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Devo, Bob Marley, Los Lobos and The Seven Dwarves have in common? They all sing about work and workers, and are on Secretary Solis' playlist when she guest DJs on SIRUS XM this Labor Day weekend. (We couldn't let Labor Day 2009 go by without hearing Whistle While You Work!) “The Spectrum's Labor Day Weekend with the Secretary of Labor” will air on SIRIUS XM’s The Spectrum (SIRIUS channel 18 and XM channel 45) starting Friday, September 4 at 3:00 pm through Monday, September 7 at 11:59 pm EDT.

Upcoming Deadlines & Events

ARRA Grant Application Deadlines

• 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

Spotlight: Women's Bureau Forum

DOL's Women’s Bureau will host a free educational forum: “Economic Recovery: What Women Need to Know” in Dallas. The forum will provide information about aspects of the Recovery Act that benefit women and their families. Future forums are planned for Sept. 24 in Bismarck, N.D. and Oct.14 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Economic Recovery — What Women Need to Know

• September 12 — Dallas, TX

OFCCP National Forum — "Good Jobs for Everyone"

• September 9 — Alexandria, VA

DOL Speaks: 2009 Employee Benefits Conference

• September 14-15 — Washington, DC

EBSA Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Workshops

• September 23 — Fresno, CA
• September 24 — Avenel, NJ

ERISA Advisory Council

• September 15-17 — Washington, DC

OFCCP Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)

• September 10 — Pittsburgh, PA
• September 10 — Baltimore, MD
• September 10 — Philadelphia, PA

OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminars

• September 4 — Columbus, OH
• September 9 — Chicago, IL
• September 9 — Birmingham, AL
• September 9 — Nashville, TN

OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminars for Construction Contractors

• September 9 — Columbia, SC
• September 11 — Richmond, VA

OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminars (ARRA)

• September 9 — Mountainside, NJ

OLMS Compliance Assistance Seminars

• September 9 — Lakewood, CO
• September 10 — Lakewood, CO

WHD Prevailing Wage Conferences

• September 15-17 — Long Beach, CA
• September 22-24 — San Antonio, TX