In Focus
DOL Settles Gender Discrimination Case Federal contractor Green Bay Dressed Beef LLC will pay $1.65 million in back wages, interest and benefits to 970 women who were subjected to systemic discrimination by the company. The settlement follows an investigation by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which found that the women were rejected for general laborer positions at the company's Green Bay plant in 2006 and 2007. In addition to financial compensation, the beef supplier will extend a total of 248 offers of employment to affected women as positions become available. "This is the 21st century in the United States of America. There is no such thing as a 'man's job,'" said Secretary Solis. "I am pleased that my department has been able to work out a resolution with Green Bay Dressed Beef, and that the settlement not only compensates the victims of discrimination but also provides jobs for many of these women." |
ODEP and WB Advance Workplace Flexibility
Nearly 40 workplace flexibility experts participated Monday in "Advancing Workplace Flexibility Policy and Practices," a roundtable co-hosted by the Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Women’s Bureau. The dialogue focused on creating solutions for the changing workforce, especially for working mothers, people with disabilities, and those who are living longer and working more hours. Proposed suggestions from the event will be used to create an electronic toolkit for employers, disability-service providers, family support services and policy experts. "It is important that we make changes and create opportunities in the workplace to meet the needs of all individuals," said Secretary Solis. |
Flexibility in the Health Care Industry Click on image for larger view. The Women's Bureau continued its "National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility" on Wednesday, November 10 at Emory University in Atlanta. The forum focused on flexible workplace options in the health care industry. Educators, health care service providers, and representatives of women's advocacy groups gathered to discuss both the challenges and solutions in this growing employment sector. "Work-life balance, including flexible workplace policies, is not just a women's issue, it's a necessity for all working families," said Women's Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Diaz. "Ensuring that our nation's workers are able to balance their work and home lives without worry that they will lose their jobs is critical to our economic success as a country." |
More than 75 people from the public and private sectors participated in "Telework: The Triple Bottom Line - People, Profits, Planet," last week at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. The conference, sponsored by the department's Women's Bureau, was a collaborative effort with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Clean Air Counts and Life Meets Work to promote telework as a solution to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and improve the quality of life for workers. Speakers included Illinois elected officials and corporate representatives from Microsoft, McDonald's, Cisco and Ryan Inc. who shared their telework best practices.
The event was timely since President Obama signed the 2010 Telework Expansion Act a few days later. The Act will allow federal agencies to enhance their telework policies, while making government more efficient in all areas. "This bill is a common-sense measure that will save money down the road by reducing agencies' overhead costs, cutting energy consumption and improving productivity," said Secretary Solis. "Private sector companies such as IBM have saved as much as $56 million annually in reduced office space by allowing employees to telework." |
Honoring Native American Women
October 27-28, 2010, the Women’s Bureau Regional Office in Seattle, WA and the United Indians of All Tribes, Procurement Technical Assistance Center convened to host a two-part conference to recognize the accomplishments of Native American women. “Honoring Native American Women – Building Futures” celebrated the business and leadership endeavors of Native American women, focusing not only on their successes, but also on how they overcame their challenges. The second portion of the conference provided information and assistance to Native American women business owners on entrepreneurial start-ups, funding for small businesses, loan programs, and how to work with tribal developers and the Tribal Employment Offices. Seven Native American women shared their stories and insights on business and how to succeed in nontraditional roles: Marina TurningRobe and Monica Simeon are sisters and business partners. They started a business on their Spokane Reservation manufacturing and marketing a line of natural toiletry care products. They first marketed to Native American resorts and casinos, but their products are now so well known that they have expanded and currently receive orders from non-native businesses and shops. They are able to provide jobs to tribal members as well as help for the reservation’s economy. Cecile Hansen is the Duwamish Tribal Chairwoman and the great, great, grandniece of Chief Seattle. In working with local businesses, she has been able to get a parcel of tribal land for the tribe along the Duwamish River. She continues to lead the battle to get federal recognition for the Duwamish Tribe.
Sherry Barry is the Tribal Liaison of Washington and Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers and a member of the Quinault Indian Nation. As a single mother, she joined the Laborer’s Local 252 apprenticeship program and became a journey-level construction craft laborer. She encourages tribal members to take advantage of the good pay and benefits in the construction industry. Jonetta Everano is the owner and president of Phoenix Enterprises, and a member of the Umatilla Tribe. Phoenix Enterprises provides construction services, environmental remediation, demolition, and excavation site work. Located in Richland, WA, the firm provides employment to tribe members and non-tribal members in the rural community. Lisa Telford is a nationally renowned basket weaver artist and member of the Haida Nation. Her work is permanently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; the Portland Art Museum; the Burke Museum in Seattle; the Ford Museum, Williamette University, Oregon; and the Hurd Museum, Phoenix, AZ. Ms. Telford recently received the Native Creative Arts Foundation Award. She works as a job developer for Apprenticeship and Non-traditional Employment for Women (ANEW) in Seattle. |
U.S. Senate Fails to Pass Paycheck Fairness Act Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement after the Senate's failure to invoke cloture (by margin of 58 to 41) on S. 3772 - the Paycheck Fairness Act: |
Equal Work Deserves Equal Pay
On October 14, Governor Pat Quinn,declared the day as "Lilly Ledbetter Day" in Illinois at a conference, "Equal Work Deserves Equal Pay" Cosponsored by Region V Women's Bureau, the Illinois Department of Human Rights , Department of Labor, the Cook County Commission on Women's Issues and the Women's Advisory Council of City Chicago. Over 200 women and men joined the Governor and Attorney General Lisa Madigan to honor Lilly Ledbetter and her fight for equal pay which led to the "Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act" protecting all working women. |
MANA de NYC’s Annual Black & White Gala
On Wednesday, September 23, 2010, Women’s Bureau Director, Sara Manzano-Díaz & staff from the Women’s Bureau Region 2 office attended MANA de NYC’s Annual Black & White Gala. Sara Manzano-Díaz, who delivered the event’s keynote address, spoke about her path to becoming the director of the Women’s Bureau. In her speech, Manzano-Díaz credited family support, education, the role of mentorship and perseverance as keys to her personal and professional successes. As one of the pillars of the Secretary’s Vision of “Good Jobs for Everyone,” the Women’s Bureau helps to prepare women workers for good jobs. One of the ways the Women’s Bureau accomplishes this goal is by supporting mentorship programs for women, as mentorship is recognized as a key to career success. The gala raised awareness of MANA’s HERMANITAS program, a mentorship program for young Latinas.
The HERMANITAS program is designed to help adolescents excel academically, improve their self-confidence, raise expectations, and realize their potential. The HERMANITAS program is a collaborative effort between MANA, the families of the mentees, schools, the community and other organizations. This year’s mentorship theme “To Greater Heights…” focused on the importance of mentorship, empowerment, and community and youth development. The Women’s Bureau believes that tailored mentorship programs for women help increase their incomes and narrow wage and income inequality. |
National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility Kicks off In Dallas
Secretary Solis fired up a crowd of nearly 300 during her keynote address to the Women's Bureau's National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday. The event — the first in a series of ten, brought together employers, employees, advocates, researchers, educators, unions and other stakeholders to discuss making flexibility work and to share best practices. Following remarks by Women's Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Diaz, and Executive Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Tina Tchen, expert panelists discussed flexibility challenges and solutions for small business. Later in the day, Solis visited the Dallas regional office where she had the opportunity to meet with staff one-on-one and was surprised by a birthday celebration. |
Solis and Ledbetter on Pay Equity
On Tuesday, September 21 nearly 1,500 online viewers tuned to Secretary Solis and pay equity advocate Lilly Ledbetter for a live webcast discussion on equal pay and working families. Ledbetter shared her personal story for justice, stating that the journey began with an anonymous note that included her name, the names of two male colleagues and their respective salaries. It was that startling disparity in wages that set Lilly into motion. Secretary Solis praised Ledbetter for her courage and the headway she has made in the fight for equal pay for equal work. Solis also took the opportunity to emphasize the need for the Paycheck Fairness Act that is currently awaiting passage in the U.S. Senate. |
Different and Equal in the 21st Century Workplace
In recognition its 90th Anniversary, DOL's Women's Bureau, in collaboration with the United States Studies Program of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, hosted a symposium on September 14. "Different and Equal in the 21st Century Workplace" brought together key leaders for a stimulating discussion on options that allow women to better balance workplace and family demands and ensure their economic security. Moderated by Women's Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Díaz, the symposium featured Sonya Michel, director, United States Studies Program of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Joan Williams, professor of law, Hastings College; Heidi Hartmann, president, Institute for Women's Policy Research; and Valerie Rawlston Wilson, senior vice president for research, National Urban League. |
Women and the Workforce, a Labor Day Reflection
It has been more than 100 years since our nation celebrated the first Labor Day. And since that time work has changed, but more importantly, so has the makeup of our workforce. Nearly fifty percent of American workers are women. In many households nationwide, women are sharing the role of breadwinner and in some cases they are the sole provider. Yet, with all the strides women have made in the labor force, one thing has remained unchanged—workplace inequalities. |
Women's Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Díaz Celebrates Women's Equality Day Ninety years ago marked two important milestones for women; the creation of the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving American women the right to vote. The Women’s Bureau was created to formulate standards and policies to promote the welfare and improve the working conditions of wage-earning women. Today, August 26, the Bureau joins the nation in observing Women’s Equality Day, celebrating the women’s right to vote. YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE |
A Stand-down and Mini-Retreat for Women Veterans: A free event for all Women Veterans and their families A Stand-down and Mini-Retreat for Women Veterans event will be held on the grounds of Penn Valley Community College, Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday, October 23rd. The event takes a proactive approach to preventing homelessness in women veterans by providing a central venue whereby women veterans can obtain information about and gain access to needed services. |
Flexibility: Policy, Practice, and Impact
A Memorandum of Agreement to expand and promote the use of flexible workplace strategies was signed by Women's Bureau (WB) Director Sara Manzano-Diaz and Assistant Secretary for the Office of the Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Kathy Martinez on Monday. In Fall 2010, the WB and the ODEP will jointly organize and host a one-day workplace flexibility roundtable titled Universal Flexibility for All: Policy, Practice, and Impact. The forum will be an opportunity for the two agencies to discuss best practices with federal and state agencies, disability organizations, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. Stay tuned for more updates over the next few weeks. |
Women’s Bureau Initiatives on Work-life Balance & Equal Pay Announced at the White House On Tuesday, July 20, Vice President Joe Biden held a Middle Class Task Force event at the White House to announce initiatives and developments in the areas of equal pay and work-life balance – two of the Women’s Bureau’s four priority issues. The White House and government agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Labor (DOL), announced several new programs and collaborative, cross-agency efforts. One key collaborative effort is the Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force recently created by the President and designed to improve interagency coordination and enforcement efforts for maximum effectiveness. In addition, as part of the Department of Labor’s ongoing efforts to promote and improve business practices and policies that provide greater work-life balance and workplace flexibility, Secretary Solis announced the Women’s Bureau’s National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility will kick off this fall. |
Roundtable Discussion
On May 27th, Region II of the Women’s Bureau held a meet-and-greet, roundtable discussion for Director Sara Manzano-Díaz, the 16th director of the Women’s Bureau. The diverse representation at the meeting included community-based organizations, academic institutions, research organizations, and leaders in the African-American, Asian, and Hispanic communities. The 27 participants created a rich discussion as they shared key points about the populations of women they work with and the concerns and issues faced daily by women. The conversation offered suggestions toward how the Women’s Bureau could add support considering Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis’ vision of “Good Jobs for Everyone” and the focus areas of the Bureau. The roundtable discussion came on the heels of several other local site meetings by Director Manzano-Díaz, accompanied by Regional Administrator, Grace Protos. Manzano-Díaz and Protos visited the region’s Green Jobs training program, B.E.S.T. Eco, at Sustainable South Bronx (SSBx). The Director met with female participants and graduates of SSBx’s training program on building and maintaining green rooftops. Graduates discussed the challenges they face in attending the program, including childcare and transportation issues, as well as the positive aspects of the opportunity to be a part of this innovative training program. Regional Administrator Protos noted that “having Director Manzano-Díaz meet with real people to hear their stories and understand their challenges is important to understanding how the Women’s Bureau can help.” |
Her Story a Hit in Chicago
Women’s Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Diaz hosted a “Women Working Together, writing the next chapter of ‘herSTORY’” mentoring and networking conference for hundreds of women and girls in Chicago last week. Joining Manzano-Diaz was U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Rainbow Push Coalition Chairperson Emeritus Rev. Willie Barrow, Bernarda Wong, Dr. Carol Gill, and Elizabeth Ortiz. “The event was a wonderful opportunity to share and encourage more intergenerational dialogue and mentorship,” said Manzano-Diaz. “It was a distinct honor to host this conference and have these very accomplished women share their stories, and encourage women of diversity to break barriers and build better lives.” |
Women’s Bureau Director Meets Atlanta’s Women Leaders Explaining that “our mission is to help working women achieve their goals,” Women’s Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Díaz convened a roundtable discussion this week with prominent Atlanta women leaders that focused on research and policy initiatives. Keeping with the theme of helping women develop economic security, she also met with participants in the Atlanta region’s “Women Going Green” project that is assisting unemployed women in becoming green business owners. While in town, Manzano-Díaz was honored at Spelman College’s Leadership and Women of Color Conference, where she spoke about her own background, the importance of pay equity and breaking down barriers that women face in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) occupations. |
Working for Working Women
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Job creation, fair treatment and job quality were the topics of discussion at DOL Monday afternoon as Secretary Solis and Women’s Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Díaz sat down with representatives from national women’s organizations. According to the latest statistics, women are the lead breadwinners in two-thirds of households and the sole breadwinner in forty percent of homes, yet their wages remain twenty percent lower than their male counterparts. Secretary Solis stated her commitment to dispelling the misconception that “women’s wages are just a bonus to the household,” and underscored this administration’s support of the Paycheck Fairness Act. The heads of several DOL agencies were also in attendance to shed light on current department initiatives, as well as learn what they can do to continue to strengthen the rights of women in the workforce.California Women’s Groups Welcome Sara Manzano-Diaz during her first official visit.
On February 11, 2010, Sara Manzano-Diaz was confirmed as the 16th Director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and soon afterwards, she was on the road learning first hand about women’s lives and issues in California. Her first stop was in Sacramento where she accompanied Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to American River College for a tour and listening session at their state-of-the-art Allied Health program. Her next stop was the Sacramento Convention Center where she participated in the Annual Policy Summit of the California Center for Research on Women and Families. More than 400 participants gathered to get updates about policies and programs that impact California’s families. Her final stop that day was an event hosted by the California Commission on the Status of Women and supported by the California Center for Research on Women & Families and the Labor Project for Working Families. Representatives from local and state advocacy groups welcomed her as the new Director and provided her practical suggestions for her three year work plan.
“We are so pleased to finally get our Director on board and honored that her first visit could be in our region,” declared Jenny Erwin, Women’s Bureau Region IX Administrator. “We look forward to supporting DOL’s effort to provide Good Jobs for Everyone and working to implement the Director’s vision of economic empowerment for working women.” |
WB Chats on Strategic Plan
On Thursday, April 15, Sara Manzano-Díaz, Director of Department’s Women’s Bureau (WB) held a live chat with stakeholders to help shape the DOL Strategic Plan for WB. “This is an important process for our agency, and we need the public's help in shaping our agenda to meet the needs of working women today and in the future,” said Manzano-Díaz. Several of the ideas presented during the chat will be used to collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, service providers and others. The ultimate goal? Promote policies, provide technical assistance and conduct outreach activities that will prepare women for good jobs, ensure fair compensation, and assure fair and high quality work-life environments. |
National Equal Pay Day
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Dollars and Cents Add Up for Women’s Bureau Wi$eup Entrepreneur
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Esther Fernandez of Massachusetts has not only gained control over her finances, but also started a real estate investment company. She credits her success to the knowledge and savvy gained from the Wi$eUp financial education program funded by the Women’s Bureau.WB Working For You
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Being 7,000 miles from home while deployed in Iraq didn't deter staff sergeant Theresa Sutton from learning online about managing her finances. She took full advantage of the Wi$eup program, funded by the Department's Women's Bureau. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
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National Council of Negro Women
Earlier this week, Secretary Solis and Deputy Director of the Women’s Bureau Latifa Lyles delivered remarks at the 54th National Convention of the National Council of Negro Women. “You must know that I am a product of the women’s movement…the social justice movement…and the civil rights movement. All of these experiences and lessons have shaped me and my goal for the Department of Labor: a good job for everyone,” Solis said. |
International Women’s Day Reception Read the Remarks by the President and the First Lady at the International Women's Day Reception held March 8, 2010. You can also view the video. |
WB Hosts Delegation in Celebration of International Women’s Day
Last week, the Department’s Women’s Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Diaz hosted an international delegation of women attorneys, judges, and academics to discuss women and justice issues. The distinguished group came from across the globe — Algeria, Cape Verde, Germany, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, the People’s Republic of China, Rwanda, and Turkey — to share and learn about the status of women’s lives. Manzano-Diaz led a spirited exchange on the Women’s Bureau’s vision to empower all working women to achieve economic security, with the visitors sharing stories about conditions for women in their countries. Topics varied, including violence against women, age and gender discrimination, microcredit, and maternity and family leave; yet the commonality of issues was clear to all, and the women discussed possible solutions. |
Region V, City of Chicago Advisory Council on Women
Over 120 people joined the Region V Women’s Bureau, City of Chicago Advisory Council on Women, the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Department of Labor to celebrate the Women’s Equality Day and the 90th Anniversary of the Women's Bureau on August 26 in Chicago. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn spoke at the event and proclaimed the day as Women’s Equality Day in Illinois.
The governor’s 93 year old mother, Eileen Quinn, who was born before women had the right to vote, also attended the program. |
Women Vets @ Work Jobs Summit
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The Department’s Women’s Bureau, Region III, united with public, private, nonprofit and faith-based organizations to hold the “Women Vets @ Work Jobs Summit and Resource Fair” last week in Washington, D.C. The day-long event focused on connecting unemployed or under-employed women veterans to prospective employers and service providers. Fifty women veterans participated. Many women veterans stopped to thank the Women’s Bureau for holding an event designed for them. “Thanks for not looking at us as if we’re invisible,” one of the participants noted. While another woman veteran added, “Thank you for providing this job fair for women veterans. Some of us did not know this information was available.”Oregon Women in Trade Careers
These women are preparing for green jobs through Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc’s (OTI) pre-apprenticeship program for women, funded in part by Women’s Bureau WANTO (Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations) grant and Women’s Bureau Green Jobs funding.
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Vermont's "Women's Economic Opportunity Conference"
The Women's Bureau was a key sponsor of Vermont's "Women's Economic Opportunity Conference" presented by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and featured special keynote speaker, Lilly Ledbetter at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vermont. -- read more -- |
Secretary Solis Blogs Read Secretary Solis’ comments in the White House Blog on “The Values Behind International Women’s Day!” |
