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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-8211
Pacific Telesis, a San Francisco-based telecommunications giant, has
won the Labor Department's top award for building a diverse workforce and
ensuring equal employment opportunities. Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich
presented Pacific Telesis with the 1996 Opportunity 2000 Award for its
executive and management programs that help women and minorities shatter the
glass ceiling.
The Opportunity 2000 Award was one of 13 presented to businesses at the
annual awards ceremony held at the department in Washington, D.C.
"These winners know that a diverse workforce is good for business. To
succeed in the global economy, companies must begin to reflect the marketplace
and their customers," Reich said.
The department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
selected the following 8 EVE award winners from among more than 80 nominations:
Colgate-Palmolive, New York, NY
Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Lancaster, PA
Cigna, Philadelphia, PA
The Rouse Company, Columbia, MD
The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Allstate Insurance, Northbrook, IL
KeyCorp, Cleveland, OH
Northern Trust Bank Corp, Chicago, IL
The 1996 Exemplary Public Interest Contributions (EPIC) Award winners
are:
- Chicago Women in Trades, Chicago, IL
- SER-Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast, Inc., Houston, TX
- Chinese for Affirmative Action, San Francisco, CA
- Los Angeles Urban League, Inglewood, CA
Reich was joined by Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards
Bernard E. Anderson and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract
Compliance Shirley J. Wilcher in presenting the awards.
In announcing this year's winners, Reich said: "We can learn from these
13 organizations how to tap and develop the talent of all workers."
"Since 1983, we have held an annual awards ceremony to let the business
community, labor and the community action groups know how much we appreciate
their support in achieving our mission," said Wilcher. The OFCCP is responsible
for ensuring that federal contractors offer all job seekers equal access to
employment opportunities and comply with affirmative action requirements.
Here are details about today's award winners:
Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award
Pacific Telesis, San Francisco will be recognized for its
successful affirmative action program and a number of executive and management
development programs that produced a diverse workforce and helped women and
minorities break the glass ceiling. Pacific Telesis, with more than 50,000
employees, has demonstrated a commitment to empower its diverse workforce by
supporting programs designed to increase awareness and appreciation of various
cultural differences and their impact in the workplace.
Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award
Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL. The largest publicly
held property and casualty insurance company with a workforce of 46,000,
Allstate has an integrated diversity management program which dates back to the
1960's. Its diversity program is an integral part of company policies and
practices. It has been recognized as one of the best companies for working
mothers and for its advancement of women in the workplace. Its chairman
participated on a panel about affirmative action and diversity in corporate
America at a White House conference in June 1995.
Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Lancaster, PA. The company
has a diverse workforce despite the fact it is located in an area with a low
population rate of minority groups. One of the projects responsible in
achieving workplace diversity is a corporate mentoring program. During the past
decade, Armstrong has supported initiatives to improve educational levels of
minority students in the Lancaster area. It has focused on a high school
dropout prevention program, internships and multi-cultural scholarships under
the Lancaster Partnership Program which combines resources of seven other
companies, Millersville University and the School District of Lancaster.
Cigna, Philadelphia One of the leading providers of insurance,
health care, employee benefits, investment management and financial services to
businesses and individuals worldwide, Cigna has more than 39,600 employees. Its
exemplary efforts to retain a diversified workforce during a period of
downsizing can serve as a model for other companies in similar circumstances.
Cigna has an excellent representation of women and minorities at all levels,
and provides managerial development and mentoring for these groups. It has nine
diversity councils that actively promote a worker friendly environment, using
focus groups and employee surveys to gauge the climate of the work environment.
Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, NY. One of the largest
leading global consumer products companies in the world, Colgate-Palmolive has
focused its efforts on its greatest asset--its employees. Colgate believes that
workforce diversity and inclusion at all levels is the most important
contributor to its success and survival. Colgate continues to invest heavily in
building the skills, abilities and potential of its employees by providing
mentoring programs. It has also pioneered family related programs such as
emergency child care, back-up care, child and elder care referral resources, as
well as scholarship programs for children of Colgate employees. The company's
EEO and affirmative action programs are monitored by the chairman.
Florida State University, Tallahassee The university's emphasis
on equal employment opportunity and affirmative action dates to 1973 and
includes both employees and students. The campus is the first educational
institution in the state university system to hire a full-time affirmative
action professional and has sponsored the National Conference on Equal
Employment Opportunity. Its commitment to EEO is evidenced by workforce
statistics which show increases for African Americans, Hispanics, Asians,
Native Americans, women and Vietnam-era veterans. It has created a better work
environment through a job-sharing program for mothers of young children. To
ensure a diverse pool of applicants for job openings, Florida State's executive
recruitment is handled by an executive assistant to the president.
KeyCorp, Cleveland KeyCorp is being recognized for identifying
and developing employees with high potential for advancement throughout
managerial ranks. It also is being recognized for the strong support of
minority and women-owned businesses through its vendor and contracting
programs, and for significant accomplishments in serving low income and
disadvantaged communities throughout Cleveland. KeyCorp has implemented
numerous friendly family and work-related programs including job support,
alternative work schedules, flexitime, flexiplace and telecommuting, compressed
work weeks, job sharing, and child care facilities.
Northern Trust Bank Corporation, Chicago Northern Trust has
instituted a number of high profile diversity initiatives including the
Corporate Diversity Council which has well-defined and established measurable
3-year goals in the areas of diversity, training, performance, management,
representation, retention/development, and communication. An example of its
commitment to diversity is the chairman's Diversity Advocate Award to recognize
employees who champion and demonstrate a commitment to diversity. The
prestigious award was established in 1995. The company has affiliate offices in
Arizona, California, Florida and Texas, with more than 6,600 employees and
assets of $19.9 billion.
The Rouse Company, Columbia, MD. One of the largest publicly
held real estate development and management companies in North America, it is a
leader in bringing about revitalized economic viability to urban centers,
including Columbia, Md., and downtown marketplaces such as Gallery Place in
Washington, D.C., Harborplace in Baltimore, Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston,
and South Street Seaport in New York City. For 55 years, Rouse has given grants
to community programs to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome
negative economic and social factors and gain necessary skills to improve their
employability. These programs have included training for youth deemed
unemployable in Baltimore; English language classes for Hispanics in Mt.
Prospect, Il.; a residential job training and educational program for mentally
challenged children and adults, dental services to underprivileged children in
Detroit, and the Jubilee Housing of Washington, D.C., providing affordable
rents to poor families.
Exemplary Public Interest Contributions (EPIC)
Chicago Women in Trades, Chicago A nonprofit community-based
organization that began operations in 1981, it has served as an informal
support group for women working in the construction industry. It is fully
committed to affirmative action and equity in the workplace and has extensively
promoted OFCCP goals. It helped create national legislation to help other
community organizations replicate successful model of affirmative action
through technical assistance. Its three publications have had national impact
in opening doors for women and bringing attention to employment barriers in the
construction industry. These publications are: Breaking New Ground: Worksite
2000, a comprehensive research study; Tools for Success, a manual for
tradeswomen, and Building Equal Opportunity, an evaluation of the impact of
affirmative action on six construction sites.
Chinese for Affirmative Action, San Francisco The organization
has taken a leadership role in civil rights and employment, ranging from
research and technical assistance to advocacy. During the past 20 years, it has
contributed significantly to improve the hiring of minorities and women in
those occupations and industries in which they were underrepresented. Through
some of its projects, the number of women and minorities in public work
construction was increased significantly, and through its advocacy and outreach
and recruitment activities unprecedented employment opportunities were opened
in San Francisco's police and fire departments.
Los Angeles Urban League The League addresses the needs of
minorities, low-income and disadvantaged individuals at seven locations through
varied services, including Head Start, adult literacy, vocational training, job
placement, business development and other family related services. The number
of clients served has risen dramatically--from 60,000 in 1993 to more than
80,000 in 1995. One of the League's most notable successes has been the high
placement rate of graduates who have completed skills training programs. The
placement rate for graduates from the Data Processing Training Center exceeds
90 percent.
SER-Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast, Inc., Houston.
Founded 30 years ago as a volunteer job bank primarily for Hispanics, it is
today a full-service operation with 65 employees that operates educational and
skills training projects to help the economically disadvantaged learn skills
leading to better-paying jobs. Specialized and remedial training programs
prepare the disadvantaged to gain skills required in today's labor market.
Through its projects, SER also serves as an invaluable resource to federal
contractors by referring qualified workers. This service helps federal
contractors comply with affirmative action obligations.
AWARDS
The U. S. Department of Labor and the Office of Federal Contract
Compliance Programs take great pride in hosting a public awards program to
honor Federal contractors and community organizations for their exemplary
efforts in implementing equal employment opportunity and affirmative action
programs in the workplace. These innovative programs help assure that our
nations' work force demands for skilled workers is met and that it is diverse
and representative at all work levels, from entry level to the boardroom.
THE SECRETARY'S OPPORTUNITY 2000 AWARD honors a Federal
contractor for the successful implementation of a significant multi-faceted
program ensuring equal employment opportunity and affirmative action within its
organization, and for supporting these goals in the community.
EXEMPLARY VOLUNTARY EFFORTS (EVE) AWARDS honor Federal
contractors, contractor associations, or educational institutions for
outstanding programs that have enhanced equal employment opportunity in their
workplaces.
EXEMPLARY PUBLIC INTEREST CONTRIBUTIONS (EPIC) AWARDS honor
public interest organizations groups for their community efforts in a
partnership that serves individuals seeking employment and Federal contractors.
Public interest organizations provide training, employment, support and
advocacy services within their communities. They serve as the match-maker,
providing trained, qualified workers to contractors to help them fulfill their
affirmative action obligations and ensure equal employment opportunity.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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