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DOL News Brief November 24, 2009
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What's Hot California Auto Workers Eligible for TAA Workers from New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. in Fremont, Ca., are eligible to apply for income support, access to health care, job training and other resources available through the Department’s Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). "This administration remains unwavering in its commitment both to growing the nation's economy and to creating good jobs for these and other displaced workers," said Secretary Solis. "Auto workers impacted by foreign competition deserve our support, and TAA is one tool that we can bring to bear when plant closings and layoffs threaten communities.” MSHA Black Lung Reduction Strategy Beginning Thursday, Dec. 3, Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary for the Department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), along with several medical experts will hold four public events over the next two weeks to discuss MSHA’s comprehensive black lung reduction strategy. Despite existing methods to prevent black lung, this debilitating and incurable disease has claimed the lives of thousands of coal miners. See the Upcoming Events and Deadlines section of this newsletter for dates and locations. | |
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National News National Day of Thanksgiving
Turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato pie! As we pile on the food and pounds over the next couple of days, let us not forget that this annual traditional is also an opportunity to give thanks by a renewed commitment to serving our communities. “While we observe traditions from every culture, Thanksgiving Day is a unique national tradition we all share. Its spirit binds us together as one people, each of us thankful for our common blessings,” proclaimed President Obama. STEM Education Innovation This week, President Obama launched the “Educate to Innovate” campaign, a significant investment in the future of the American workforce. This nationwide effort’s goal is to move American students from the middle to the forefront in science and math achievement. According to the President: “Reaffirming and strengthening America’s role as the world’s engine of scientific discovery and technological innovation is essential to meeting the challenges of this century." | |
DOL In Action Tempel Grain Elevators LLP Fined More Than $1.6 Million Tempel Grain Elevators LLP of Wiley, Colo., has been fined more than $1.6 million following a teenage worker dying from suffocation at one of the company grain operations. “From safety to wage and hour issues, the company created a hazardous and illegal working environment for its workers. This situation must be addressed swiftly and completely,” said Secretary Solis. An investigation conducted by the Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Wage and Hour Division alleges 22 willful and 13 serious citations as well as 77 child labor violations involving 15 minor employees. OSHA H1N1 Directive for Healthcare Workers The Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is working to ensure that healthcare and emergency medical workers at high risk for an H1N1 infection are protected. OSHA issued a compliance directive to assist with uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize occupational exposures to the virus. Department Certifies 2,900 Workers in 7 States for TAA The Department is committed to supporting all workers, including the 2,900 workers across seven states — Alabama, California, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — eligible for assistance after trade-related layoffs. “Through the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, we are leveraging opportunities for displaced workers to acquire the skills needed to secure good jobs in promising areas of their local economies,” said Secretary Solis. | |
Around DOL DOL Rep Adds "Zip" to Vet's Job Prospects While some saw beauty in the Hawaiian mountainside, local veterans employment representative Donn Mitsuyuki saw job possibilities. From his Wailuku Workforce Development office, Mitsuyuki remembered that unemployed Vietnam veteran David Durham had zip line training experience as an Army Special Forces member and previously worked for a motorcycle tour adventure company. Mitsuyuki helped Durham rewrite his resume, highlighting those thrill seeking skills, then faxed it to adventure companies who were capitalizing on interest in zip line tours. Mitsuyuki’s actions helped Durham land several promising interviews. Mitsuyuki, a Department of Labor employee for 19 year and a former Vietnam veteran in the Army, said he went the extra mile for Durham because “he gave his service to his country, so he deserves the best service I can give him.” | |
Spotlight on States: Oregon $741,502 Grant to Assist Oregon Workers With unemployment rates of 12.4 and 14.2 percent respectively, Jackson and Josephine counties in Oregon have been severely affected by the recession. The Department will assist affected workers through a $741,502 National Emergency Grant funded under the Recovery Act. Grantees will have access to post-secondary education and training, in addition to training in green industries and other nationally-defined demand occupations. | |
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Opportunities are Open: California Want to make a difference in the lives of working families, but don’t want to move to Washington, D.C.? You may be surprised to learn that the majority of federal jobs are outside of the nation's capital. Opportunities are open in the Golden State. Check out the three CA positions below or view all the exciting and rewarding DOL opportunities.
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Steel City, Solis & CNBC: Be There For a Meeting of the Minds On November 30th, Secretary Solis will be in Pittsburgh to tape a CNBC special program: "Meeting of the Minds: Rebuilding America." Hosted by Maria Bartiromo, the provocative discussion will also include, Bill Ford of Ford Motor Company, Daniel DiMicco of Nucor Corporation, Leo Gerard of United Steelworkers, Jeff Immelt of General Electric, and John Engler of the National Association of Manufacturers. The event will take place at Carnegie Mellon University. Tickets are limited, so sign up today! | |
Solis Receives Nambe Eagle Leadership Award
Last Friday, Secretary Solis was the keynote speaker at the Latino Leaders Luncheon and was honored with the Nambe Eagle Leadership Award for outstanding contributions to the Latino community. The event provides a platform for prominent Latino leaders to share their personal stories. “I come from a home that instilled in me the value of a hard day’s work…a family that taught me to fight against injustices in our society and to lend a helping hand to your neighbor when they are in need,” said Solis. | |
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Future of America’s Cities Today, Secretary Solis, the White House Office of Urban Affairs and the Domestic Policy Council hosted the next phase of the "National Conversation on the Future of America's Cities and Metropolitan Areas" in Los Angeles. The forum examined innovations in workforce development training in urban communities. Solis also visited an IBEW electrical training facility, and joined L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa at the L.A. Trade Technical College. We'll have a slideshow of the visit in next week's newsletter. | |
Borzi on Inspiration & Service
In observance of the 46th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, EBSA Assistant Secretary Phyllis Borzi addressed the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. Borzi spoke about President Kennedy and how he influenced her to live a life of service. Borzi noted that President Obama is now inspiring a new generation of leaders. | |
EBSA and W&H Go Live Last week, Wage and Hour Assistant District Director Larry Benjamin and EBSA Supervisory Benefits Advisor Patricia Young answered viewers’ questions during a three hour employment phone bank organized by WRDW-TV in Augusta, Ga. “I think the value of our participation in these types of events is the opportunity to reach an audience that normally would not contact us,” said Benjamin. "These callers could have contacted us at any time, but it was much easier for them to do so when they saw the number on the screen." Questions ranged from minimum wage and overtime to pensions and the Family and Medical Leave Act. | |
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Spotlight: Wi$eUp! Wondering how to adjust your savings to meet financial goals? Would you like some ideas for keeping holiday spending under control? The Women’s Bureau’s (WB) Wi$eUp project is dedicated to helping workers reduce debt and increase savings and investments. Join the WB Monday, November 30 from 2 to 3 pm to hear financial planning experts discuss saving, spending, and managing credit wisely. Wi$eUp Teleconference Call: Financial Management at Year’s End MSHA Federal Mine Inspector Job Screening MSHA End Black Lung Campaign
OFCCP — Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) Workshop OFCCP — AAP Development & Preparing for a Desk Audit OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminar OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminar for Construction Contractors OLMS Compliance Assistance Seminar | |
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