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DOL News Brief January 28, 2010
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What's Hot Let's Chat: 2011 DOL Budget On Monday, February 1, Secretary Solis and DOL agency heads will unveil President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget for the Department of Labor via live Web chat from 1 to 3 pm EST. Built around the vision of “Good Jobs for Everyone,” the budget launches innovative ways to prepare workers for 21st Century jobs, and makes new investments in worker protection programs. Stakeholder groups, the general public and the news media are encouraged to participate by submitting questions through e-mail, Twitter and telephone. Solis Hails High-Speed Rail
On Thursday, January 28, Secretary Solis, joined by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, state and local officials, and rail supporters announced $400 million in federal stimulus resources for the state of Ohio to invest in a high-speed passenger rail. The new 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Corridor will connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati with daily train service for the first time in nearly 40 years. The announcement is one of a number of job initiatives the President will lay out in the coming weeks to follow up on his continued commitment to job creation as discussed in Wednesday night’s State of the Union Address. | |
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National News: Equal Pay for Equal Work
Exactly a year ago, President Obama signed his first bill into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, sending a message that discriminatory compensation is unlawful. “In signing the bill, President Obama said, ‘equal pay is by no means just a women’s issue — it’s a family issue,’” stated Secretary Solis. “In the past year, the law has already been applied to court cases involving allegations of wage discrimination; however, an earnings gap still remains, as does wage discrimination, as attested to by wage discrimination complaints filed and court decisions.” | |
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Around DOL: ILAB Fights Child Labor
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DOL in Action US Department of Labor Leading the Way in Open Government Efforts
DOL has exceeded the early benchmarks set forth in the Obama Administration’s Open Government Directive — releasing twice the required number of newly available datasets on data.gov last Friday and launching its own open government information page (www.dol.gov/open) more than two weeks ahead of schedule. The datasets released last week include information from the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which will make it possible for anyone in the public to better track health and safety conditions in the American workplace. In addition to the information featured on data.gov, the Department also released additional data for the first time — including the Form 5500 annual report/returns for approximately 800,000 retirement, health and other employee benefit plans covering the plan years 1999 through 2008. The administration's Open Government Directive established a new standard for government agencies, insisting that by specific dates they achieve key milestones in transparency, collaboration and participation. Superior Super Warehouse to Pay for Child Labor Violations The Department’s Wage and Hour Division has ordered Super Center Concepts, doing business as Superior Super Warehouse, to pay $79,200 in penalties for violating child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. DOL investigators found a total of 40 hazardous occupational violations, including allowing minors to operate scrap paper balers, paper box compactors and power-driven hoisting apparatuses or forklifts. MSHA Cracks Down on Kentucky Scofflaw Operators The Labor Department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration continues to crack down on mine operators that fail to pay their civil penalties. The most recent scofflaws sued by MSHA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are three coal mines located in Knott County, Ky. These operators have wracked up nearly $665,000 in delinquent penalties. According to MSHA Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Main, “There is no excuse for mine operators to deliberately flout their obligations to pay civil penalties for safety and health violations. MSHA and the Department of Labor will not hesitate to hold scofflaw operators accountable.” Cool Heads Under Fire Not all mining mishaps end on a tragic note. Take the fire that occurred at a Missouri lead-zinc mine last Thursday. Three miners working underground at Doe Run Co’s Vibernum #29 mine in Bunker were trapped when their escape route became blocked by a burning haulage truck. Cool heads prevailed, and the miners retreated to a designated refuge chamber stocked with water and compressed air. Meanwhile, mine rescue teams spent the next several hours attempting to locate the men. Ultimately, they were rescued and safely returned to the surface. "It was the type of outcome we all strive for in a mining emergency," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. OSHA Proposes Rule Change to MSD DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposes to revise its Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting (recordkeeping) regulation by restoring a column on the OSHA Form 300 to better identify work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The rule does not change existing requirements for when and under what circumstances employers must record musculoskeletal disorders on their injury and illness logs; it would require employers to place a check mark in a column for all MSDs they have recorded. 128 Violations = $683K in Proposed Fines for Mississippi Companies Three Mueller Industries Inc. subsidiaries in Fulton, Miss., were cited with 128 violations and fined $683,000 for exposing workers to a variety of safety and health hazards. In July 2009, the Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began an investigation after a maintenance worker was killed, and two other workers were injured when naphtha, a flammable liquid of hydrocarbon mixtures, leaked from an electric pump and ignited. | |
Recovery Highlight: DOL and HHS Unite for Working Youth The Department of Labor’s Employment and Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families are urging states and local areas to partner with TANF agencies to support summer and year-round youth employment programs with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. TANF Emergency Contingency Funds made available through the Recovery Act can be used by States and Tribes to provide subsidized employment to low-income youth. These young people can also receive other benefits and services allowed under the TANF Program. WIA Recovery Funds made available to the workforce system in 2009 created more than 314,000 subsidized work experiences for youth nationwide. | |
Spotlight on States: Wisconsin The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $2,354,098 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue to provide services to about 1,400 workers affected by layoffs in the automotive industry of Rock County, Wis. These supplemental funds, awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, will continue the delivery of re-employment assistance to those workers included in the original grant award as well as those added in subsequent grant modifications. National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. | |
DOL Working For You Job Corps Provides Ticket to Success for Oregonian Student
Even when she took a housekeeping job to help her family make ends meet, Emily Beirnes knew education was her ticket to future success. Urged on by her sister, Emily enrolled at Oregon’s Wolf Creek Job Corps, where she immersed herself in her studies, earning her GED in 2008, then going on to study masonry and carpentry. Emily also found time to receive certifications in first aid/CPR, an OSHA 10 safety course and disaster response tactics. The 21-year-old also became involved in student government and Center leadership programs. When she completes the Job Corps program this April, Emily hopes to work for a Washington state contractor and save enough money to attend college in the field of psychology. Emily said that entering Job Corps “was the best decision I ever made” because it gave her an “amazing gift . . . to better my life.” | |
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Opportunities are Open: Make a World of Difference Working at ILAB Want a career shaping U.S. policies and improving global livelihoods? The Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) works to increase employment opportunities globally and provide workers a voice. ILAB seeks a diverse pool of applicants with "on the ground" experience in designing and carrying out international technical assistance programs. Check out the International Relations Officer positions below or view all the exciting and rewarding opportunities.
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Although Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Paraguay have made efforts during the last decade to combat child labor, millions of children remain engaged in the worst forms, particularly in agriculture, domestic labor, cattle-raising, and informal urban labor. To help eliminate exploitive child labor, the Department’s Bureau of International Affairs created several regional partnerships and projects that provide direct educational services tailored to children’s education needs, increase the capacity of target countries to implement sustainable policies, develop mechanisms to exchange best practices, as well as raise awareness of child labor among public and private institutions, employers, labor organizations, and civil society organizations. 
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2009 Presidential Rank Awards The United States Department of Labor is proud to announce the winners of the 2009 Presidential Rank Award—Cindy A. Coe, John M. McWilliam, Maureen H. Walsh, and Sandra S. Zeigler. Each year since the establishment of the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 1978, the President has conferred the ranks of Meritorious Executive on a select group of career members of the SES who have provided exceptional service to the American people. These individuals have demonstrated sustained superior performance that marks them as some of the highest ranking officials in federal service and their contributions to the federal government have afforded them this prestigious honor. Congratulations! | |
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Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Secretary Solis participated in a public session hosted by the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, on Monday, January 25. The event was chaired by Eric Holder, Attorney General of the Department of Justice. The council’s membership includes 12 federal agencies and nine practitioners and is responsible for coordinating federal delinquency prevention programs, federal programs and activities that detain or care for unaccompanied juveniles, and federal programs relating to missing and exploited children. Secretary Solis spoke about the importance of summer youth programs and the positive impact that this program has had on the nation’s youth. | |
Bolivia's EVOlution Up Close
Secretary Solis traveled to Bolivia to lead the U.S. delegation attending the January 21 inauguration ceremonies of Evo Morales as President. Among the many events was the consecration ceremony in Tiwanaku where President Morales, according to an ancient tradition, received the ancestral baton. Secretary Solis noted what a "real honor" it was to be in Bolivia representing the Obama Administration, adding, "We value our relationship with Bolivia and maintain our commitment to continue working to strengthen our links for future generations under the principle of mutual respect towards the goal of a more just, democratic and peaceful world." | |
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The Green Scene: Spotlight on San Diego Job Corps The San Diego Job Corps Center was recently spotlighted by a local TV news program in a segment on the use of Recovery Act funds to promote a green culture. Students and staff members from the HBI Electrical and Plumbing career technical training areas discussed stimulus money that has allowed the center to add new training requirements to several of its programs, enabling students to receive hands-on training in green products and practices. Other Recovery Act-related initiatives at the San Diego Job Corps Center include the installation of energy-conserving motion-detector lights, energy-conserving roof and wall paint, and the purchase of a hybrid vehicle to save transportation costs and train students in auto mechanics. | |
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ODEP Teams with Special Olympics
On Thursday, January 28, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy Kathy Martinez presented remarks and moderated a town hall discussion for the Special Olympics in Washington, D.C. Discussion revolved around public policy regarding the employment of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Panelists included a Special Olympics athlete, Former Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Neil Romano, representatives from U.S. Business Leadership Network, D.C. Department on Disability Services, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services, American Network of Community Options and Resources, and Virginia Commonwealth University. | |
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YouthBuild Leader Gets Special View of SOTU
In recognition of his dedication to public service, YouthBuild AmeriCorps member Larry Daniels watched the President’s State of the Union address from the gallery as the special guest to Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-8). Last year, Larry was enrolled as a YouthBuild student and served his community by building and rehabilitating low-income housing. Upon his graduation and earning a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, Larry was selected for a second term of service as a full time AmeriCorps member. Currently he is a team leader on the YouthBuild Lake County construction site. | |
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20/20 Vision: A Look at Black America
Just hours before President Obama’s State of the Union address, Secretary Solis spoke to attendees at a Black Enterprise Magazine forum titled 20/20 Vision: A Look Ahead at Black America in the Next Economic Boom. She discussed the Department's investments in the nation’s diverse communities, and, commenting on projections regarding the economic recovery, underscored her continued commitment to making the vision of “Good Jobs for Everyone” a reality. As part of the forum, Solis recorded a segment for Black Enterprise’s Business Report, wich will air across the country in February. | |
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Spotlight: OSHA Listens OSHA will host an “OSHA Listens” public meeting Feb. 10 in Washington, D.C., to solicit comments and suggestions from OSHA stakeholders on key issues facing the agency. “Public involvement in the government’s activities is a priority for this Administration and is important to enhancing OSHA efforts to protect the safety and health of workers,” said Assistant Secretary Michaels. OSHA — OSHA Listens EBSA — Understanding Your Responsibilities Under ERISA — The Basics and More MSHA — Annual Arkansas Mine Safety and Health Conference OLMS — Compliance Assistance Seminar OFCCP — AAP Development and Preparing for a Desk Audit OFCCP — Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) Workshop OFCCP — Compliance Assistance Seminar OFCCP — Compliance Assistance Seminar for Construction Contractors OFCCP — Town Hall Meeting Women's Bureau — Helping Low-Income Individuals and Families Build Financial Resources | |
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