WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su called on Congress to modernize the nation’s unemployment insurance system in an opinion piece published online Aug. 16, 2024, by The American Prospect. In addition to recognizing the Biden-Harris administration’s success in promoting a strong job market, the Acting Secretary argues federal legislators must take the necessary steps to modernize our unemployment insurance system before the next crisis.

The article details the Department of Labor’s comprehensive plan to transform the UI system and highlights how the department has successfully improved the timeliness of benefits delivery, made access to benefits more equitable and helped prevent fraud with the support of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

“A Safety Net for Unemployed Workers,” includes the following excerpts: 

• “I have likened the unemployment system to a house with a leaky roof. The holes in it have been around for decades. When unemployment is low, the leaks are manageable but in a storm, the inadequacy of our existing system is glaring. But once the storm subsides, so do calls for fixing the roof. We can’t keep making the same costly mistake.”
• “Under President Biden’s leadership, the United States has added nearly 16 million jobs, and average unemployment has been lower than during any administration in 50 years. We must make the repairs before the next storm, to build a UI system that will serve the American people when it is most needed.”
• “The Department of Labor has developed a comprehensive plan to transform the UI system. First and foremost, the plan starts by calling for adequate funding for state programs with grants that match the actual cost of running the UI system today. It also details the policy and technological changes needed to ensure that states can respond to future economic crises and pay benefits accurately and timely to all eligible individuals who experience a loss of work.”
• “In its current form, unemployment insurance is unable to deliver the safety net that America needs. Too many workers continue to fall through the system’s cracks. Recent data reveals that fewer than 3 in 10 unemployed workers received benefits in 2023. Workers of color feel this most acutely, and study after study shows they are more likely to be out of work but less likely to receive benefits.”
• “In fact, it was these holes in the program that led Congress to enact the temporary pandemic programs. But as hard as the states worked to implement these new programs, building the plane while flying led to inevitable turbulence.”
• “If we’re able to truly transform and modernize the system, it would be a tremendous benefit to businesses, workers, and the entire economy. Congress cannot and should not squander this opportunity to safeguard our workers for the long term. Now is the time to invest in robust unemployment insurance reform.”

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the July 2024 Employment Situation report:

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 114,000 jobs in July, bringing the total to nearly 16 million jobs created under the Biden-Harris administration. While job growth came in below expectations, with an average of 170,000 jobs added per month over the last three months, the American economy is still the envy of the world. 

“What the July jobs report indicates is a continued transition to a more stable and sustainable economy that saw growth across multiple industries, including construction, health care, and leisure hospitality. Layoffs are low, the prime-age labor force participation rate rose to 84 percent, the highest level since 2001, the overall labor force participation ticked up to 62.7 percent, and wages continue to grow and are still outpacing inflation, which has decreased to 3 percent. This means more money in the pockets of working people. 

“The President and this administration continue to be committed to improving the lives of working people, creating family-sustaining jobs, and growing an economy that works for everyone.”

FORT VALLEY, GA – On July 19, 2024, Acting Secretary Su traveled to Fort Valley to commemorate Blue Bird Corp.’s historic first contract with United Steelworkers, or USW, joined by members and leaders from the AFL-CIO in Georgia. The Acting Secretary presided as officials of the bus manufacturing company and USW representatives signed their first contract and acknowledged the Biden-Harris administration’s support for union jobs in the South and for the growth in clean energy jobs helped made the action possible.

Acting Secretary Su then toured the Blue Bird Corp. facility and spoke with workers, congratulating them for the hard work that led to the contract’s signing and reiterating the administration’s commitment to supporting workers and investing in union jobs. 

The Acting Secretary offered remarks joined by Fort Valley Mayor Jeffery Lundy, Blue Bird Corp. CEO Phil Horlock, Georgia State AFL-CIO President Yvonne Brooks and Dee Thomas, a masking production associate working at the facility and union member.

“We would also not be here today if President Biden was not taking a serious, whole-of-government approach to creating good union, clean energy jobs to meet our good jobs goals and our climate goals at the same time... all through the Investing in America agenda,” Acting Secretary Su said.

Media coverage highlighted Acting Secretary Su’s announcement as follows:

U.S. Labor Secretary visits Blue Bird facilities following historic union contract

By Lucinda Warnke | July 19, 2024 

“When workers come together in a union, we win a voice to fight for what we deserve,” said Dee Thomas, an 11-year employee of Blue Bird and a union member. “As a proud member of a union, I am here to say that despite what you may have been told, Georgia is for unions.”

Top Labor Department official touts Blue Bird buses, union pact

By Michael E. Kanell | July 19, 2024

“Su had met in March with both union and company executives and challenged them to reach a deal quickly,” she said. ‘The CEO called it ‘the Julie Su challenge’.”

“The union at Blue Bird reached its first contract with the company in May, a pact that includes up to 40 percent raises for some workers, as well as health and safety standards and expanded retirement benefits.”

40% pay raises, 401k benefits and more | Blue Bird signs union contract with Fort Valley workers

By Megan Western | July 19, 2024

“A union relationship is a partnership,” [Blue Bird CEO Phil] Horlock said. “I know Secretary [Julie] Su agrees. She explained that to me, and I'm grateful we listened and we did it. We got it done.”

WASHINGTON – The Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the June 2024 Employment Situation report:   

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 206,000 jobs in June. The prime-age labor force participation rate hit a 22-year high, and the unemployment rate remains low at 4.1 percent. This strong jobs report demonstrates another month of steady, stable economic growth.  

“Employment gains were widespread across industries, with notable growth in health care, social assistance, construction and local government. Increased employment in these sectors is not only meaningful for workers and their families, but these jobs will improve the lives of all Americans as cities and towns hire more first responders, firefighters, librarians and other city workers.  

“The June jobs report continues to show that President Biden’s economic strategy is delivering for American workers. The Biden-Harris administration remains focused on bringing good jobs to every industry and every community, and we will build on this progress so that every American has access to a family-sustaining job with security and opportunity.” 

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Labor’s final rule “Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees,” which will extend overtime protections for millions of salaried workers, becomes effective.

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement:

“For more than 80 years, the 40-hour workweek has been a pillar of fairness for American workers. It’s the promise of going home to loved ones after putting in your time, not endless hours for flat pay. Far too many are stuck in jobs that disregard this principle. Today, our rule to restore that balance by expanding overtime protections for our nation’s lower-paid salaried workers goes into effect.  

“This rule helps ensure that more lower-paid salaried workers who should receive overtime protections under the law actually receive those protections. Starting today, roughly 1 million workers making $43,888 or less are newly eligible for overtime benefits. And in 2025, the salary threshold will increase to $58,656, then update every three years. That means more money in these workers’ pockets and a little more breathing room. 

“The Biden-Harris administration is giving millions a chance to reclaim their time and share in the economic prosperity that they help create, and we will continue to do good by the people that make this country great.”

Learn more about the department’s efforts to restore and extend overtime protections.

A table estimating the number of workers potentially eligible for expanded protections in year one by census region follows this release.

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WASHINGTON – To highlight the investments and priorities of the most pro-worker, pro-union administration in history, Acting Secretary Su is traveling the country this summer to engage with workers and employers on the department’s commitment to improving job quality and fighting for workers. By investing federal resources that create pathways to good jobs for all communities, the Biden-Harris administration is making good on its promise to grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up. 

Earlier this month, Acting Secretary Su visited Phoenix, and Birmingham, Alabama, to announce that both cities are committed to adopting and implementing the department’s Good Jobs Principles. Watch coverage of the signing in Phoenix.

On Monday, June 17, Acting Secretary Su traveled to Tamarac, Florida, to tour an emergency response and property restoration provider’s training facility and then gather with other industry professionals to announce a public-private partnership to promote quality jobs that ensure climate resilience. Acting Secretary Su was joined by representatives from the non-profit Resilience Force as well as Signal Restoration Services and PuroClean, two national residential and commercial property restoration companies, at a Tamarac worker training facility. This event showcased the benefits of the investments made through a Critical Sectors Job Quality Grant awarded by the department to Resilience Force in September 2023 to support the development of good jobs in the climate resilience sector. 

Read coverage of the Good Jobs Summer tour here: 

AL.com: Secretary of Labor visits Birmingham to bring people in from the sidelines for ‘Good Jobs’

By Joseph Bryant | 6/12/2024 

“The acting U.S. Labor Secretary brought her national ‘Good Jobs Summer Tour’ to Birmingham, where she pledged a federal commitment to promoting, retaining, and growing quality employment for the city and the state.‘I am here because Alabama matters. I am here because Birmingham matters,’ Julie Su said during her presentation Wednesday at the North Birmingham Library.”

CBS 42: City of Birmingham hosts ‘Good Jobs Summer Tour’

By Scott Marshall | 6/12/2024 

“A new initiative in Birmingham is aiming to improve workplaces for the city’s workforce. In a press conference Wednesday morning, U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the city of Birmingham’s signing of the “Good Jobs Alliance.” The alliance is a part of the labor department’s “Good Jobs Summer Tour,” which is making stops across the nation.” 

Spectrum: 'Partnership for a Resilient America' to train workers to prepare for hurricane season

By Corina Cappabianca | 6/19/2024 

“Acting U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su traveled to South Florida this week for the announcement of the new program. Su is visiting various states as part of the department’s ‘Good Jobs Summer Tour.’ 

‘As our country deals with more and more extreme weather caused by climate change, we’ll rely even more on workers who are well-trained to rebuild communities impacted by disaster. And the essential jobs they do must be good jobs. The Department of Labor is putting our resources, our expertise, and our vision into this work,’ Su said.”

WASHINGTON – The Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the May 2024 Employment Situation report:  

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 272,000 jobs in May, and the jobless rate was little changed at 4.0 percent. The rate of unemployment has been at or below 4 percent for the past 30 months, the longest stretch since 1970. These strong labor market indicators continue to point to strong, stable growth in the U.S. economy. 

“The labor force participation rate for prime-age women once again set a record high at 78.1 percent. Women have powered our nation’s economic recovery after the pandemic, and they continue to strengthen our labor force. In addition, employment gains last month were widespread across industries from healthcare, leisure and hospitality and jobs in local government like teachers, firefighters and other municipal workers. This broad-based growth points to President Biden’s economic vision in action, building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down. 

"May was yet another good month for the American labor market. The Biden-Harris administration will continue to do all that we can to ensure that workers have opportunity and access to good jobs — the kind where workers aren’t just getting by but getting ahead.” 

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary Julie Su appeared on TheGrio’s “The Hill with April Ryan” recently discussed how the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts helped produce record low employment among Black Americans as reflected in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ April 2024 Employment Situation Report.  

In a wide-ranging conversation, Acting Secretary Su and Ryan, the media outlet’s White House correspondent, discussed how the administration continues to address historic barriers for Black and other people of color, such as workplace segregation, unsafe working conditions and underpaying jobs. Acting Secretary Su emphasized the Department of Labor’s commitment to narrowing the Black-white employment gap, making it clear that “investing in Black America is investing in America.”  

Asked about the April jobs report, Acting Secretary Su remarked: “the Black employment rate in the labor market is at an all-time high, the Black unemployment rate is the lowest it has ever been, and the gap between Black and white unemployment is at the lowest it has ever been.” She emphasized that these numbers are part of a larger trend.   

From September 2022 to February 2024, the Black unemployment rate remained at or below 6 percent for the longest period on record. The latest data shows that unemployment rate for Black workers was 5.6 percent in April 2024, continuing the trend of low unemployment rate for this group by historical standards. 

View the entire “The Hill with April Ryan” interview. 

WASHINGTON – Throughout the month of May, the nation celebrated the contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Acting Secretary Su observed the month by sharing her perspective as well as highlighting the work of the Department of Labor. 

Acting Secretary Su spoke to the media about the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 effort to release  the monthly unemployment rate and other key statistics for Asian subgroups: Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and other Asian. This type of real-time disaggregated information allows policymakers and community stakeholders to identify who needs assistance, particularly during hard economic times, and where to focus resources. 

In media interviews in May, Acting Secretary Su also addressed the importance of language access, including the department’s recent translation of Worker.gov into more languages, including Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic and Korean, and making MigrantWorker.gov available in Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

On May 20, 2024, Acting Secretary Su appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to speak to the significance of AANHPI Heritage Month, saying “this is a month to celebrate the beautiful diversity of all of us who call ourselves Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. And for President Biden, who believes not just in theory, but in this idea of a country –  out of many one –  the celebration of diversity is something that's very core to who he is.” Click here to watch the full interview. 

On May 24, 2024, Acting Secretary appeared on ABC New’s Nightline with Juju Chang alongside fellow AANHPI cabinet members U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Arati Prabhakar. They spoke about President Biden’s commitment to diversity and AA NHPI communities nationwide. 

When asked by Chang about how her experience as the child of immigrants impacts her work at the Department of Labor, Acting Secretary Su said: “I grew up translating for my parents the way so many immigrant children do, and that experience had a really profound effect on my sense of belonging, the importance of language. And so, I went to law school to become a translator. The language of law for people who were marginalized, discriminated against and exploited.” Click here to watch the interview. 

Read additional coverage here: 

Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su wants American dream for all

By Matthew Yoshimoto | May 14, 2024 

“As a child of Chinese immigrants, Su shared her excitement to continue working on workers’ rights and civil rights particularly in disenfranchised communities. Su noted ongoing efforts by the Department of Labor to make information more accessible by expanding the number of AANHPI language translations. 

‘Growing up and translating taught me a lot about the power of language, and as I grew up, I realized the law is really a language and you get to decide who gets what our society gets to work and who doesn’t, who gets paid and who doesn’t, who gets to migrate and march and marry and vote and partake in America,’ Su said during the conversation. ‘Language access is so important’.”

Disaggregated Data is America’s Super Power: It’s Crucial to be Counted

By Sunita Sohrabji | May 23, 2024 

“Standards for federal data collection have not changed since 1997. But in a monumental move, the Office of Management and Budget March 28 announced new standards for data collection, to be implemented by the Census Bureau and other federal agencies. Most significantly, changes in reclassification allows Middle Easterners and North Africans to be identified as a racial category, a move the MENA community has fought for for several years.” 

U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su Reflects on Family’s Immigration, Value of Unions

By Tracy Huang | May 24, 2024 

“In an interview with news company NRG, she said, ‘I believe in the transformative power of America, and I know the transformative power of a good job. To all workers who are toiling in the shadows, to workers who are organizing for power and respect in the workplace, know that we see you.’”

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su today released the following statement on news of a final contract agreement between the United Steelworkers and Blue Bird Corp, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of low- and zero-emission school buses.

“Congratulations to the United Steelworkers and Blue Bird on their dedication and perseverance in achieving a first contract. As President Biden and I have said, collective bargaining works. This agreement is proof-positive that when workers and employers sit down at the bargaining table together, they can come to a deal that achieves stability for the employer and better and safer conditions for their workers.

“Far too often, employers engage in harmful stall tactics to undercut worker voice and avoid entering into a first contract with a newly formed union. This historic agreement is an example of collective bargaining done right. I applaud the United Steelworkers and Blue Bird for demonstrating the power and benefits of worker voice. 

“I also want to recognize both parties for their leadership, reinforcing that the EV transition and good union jobs go together. Through these negotiations, the United Steelworkers and Blue Bird Corp. are charting a future where union workers, high-road businesses and clean energy keep our country running. This progress will benefit their workers, their company and our country.”