At the Department of Labor, we're building a worker-centric economy from the bottom up and the middle out by leveraging federal investments to create good jobs, while protecting workers' rights, wages, health and safety, and supporting workers' rights to organize for better conditions. This Labor Day, we're celebrating workers by building an equitable, empowered workforce for all.
Scroll down to learn more about how we're delivering for workers under the Biden-Harris administration.
High Road to the Middle Class
The "High Road to the Middle Class" map is a new, innovative tool to spotlight existing high road training programs that prepare America’s infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing workforce for good jobs.
The map is another way the Department of Labor is supporting high road partnerships in communities across the nation that bring together employers, labor unions, local workforce boards, community colleges, training providers and community organizations to jointly develop and implement the training programs we need in this historic moment of job creation.
Interested in joining a union? We're here to help.
Our updated Worker Organizing Resource and Knowledge (WORK) Center website is a one-stop shop for information and resources on unions and collective bargaining for workers, unions, policymakers and anyone interested in taking action to support worker organizing and successful labor-management collaboration.
Honoring the El Monte garment workers
In August 1995, 72 Thai garment workers were freed from forced labor in El Monte, California. The story sparked a national outcry and led to important labor reforms. In a few weeks, we'll induct them into our Labor Hall of Honor.
Read a blog on the El Monte case >>
Read Acting Secretary Su’s blog on what the El Monte case means for her >>
New and Noteworthy
Proposed rule would restore and extend overtime protections for millions of workers
A notice of proposed rulemaking would restore and extend overtime protections to 3.6 million salaried workers. The proposed rule would guarantee overtime pay for most salaried workers earning less than $1,059 per week, about $55,000 per year.
Apprentice Trailblazer Initiative
This new apprenticeship opportunity builds on the Biden-Harris administration’s strategy to empower workers by promoting pathways to the middle class through this proven earn-as-you-learn model and advances our efforts to expand equitable access to good jobs for historically underserved communities.
Infrastructure investments and raising wage standards for construction workers
A new rule updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts will ensure wages paid to workers on federally funded construction projects better reflect the realities of today’s labor market.
Proposed rule would reduce miners' exposure to respirable crystalline silica
A proposed rule would increase protections for miners against occupational exposure to silica dust. The rule would ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries.
Mental health at work and beyond: eliminating lifesaving barriers to care
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury proposed rules that would ensure that people seeking coverage for mental health and substance use disorder care can access treatment as easily as people seeking coverage for medical treatments.
Additional resources
Labor Rights Week
All workers in the United States, regardless of where they're from, have the same right to a safe and healthful workplace and full payment of wages earned under federal law.
WATCH: Why we celebrate Labor Day
On Labor Day, we celebrate the workers and the vision and the effort that goes into securing that better future.
WATCH: What makes a good job?
We asked Labor Department staff what makes a good job. Hear their answers, and their reflections on their first – or best – job ever.
WATCH: The history of Labor Day
Learn about the origin of the only federal holiday dedicated to honoring and recognizing America's workers.
READ: How we're delivering for America's workers
Take a look at some of the announcements, regulatory enhancements and initiatives that are helping create pathways to the middle class and build an economy that works for all.
Labor Day graphics and messages
Download graphics and see some of the messages we're sharing to celebrate and support workers.
In the News
- The Albany Herald: Kurt Petermeyer: Honoring labor's history, paving its future
- The Enterprise: Capitalizing on workforce investments is capitalizing on America's future
- The Washington Times Herald: Child labor: We can't let history repeat itself
- Construction Forum: Labor Day 2023: A time to reflect on creating an equal workforce for all
- Norfolk Daily News: Seeded properly, grain safety can flourish in Nebraska in 2023