WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer completed her “America at Work” listening tour on Monday with a visit to Tulsa, Oklahoma. One year ago, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer set out to meet with workers and employers in all 50 states and committed to bring their stories back to Washington to shape federal labor policies and practices.

“When I became Labor Secretary, I promised to deliver on President Trump’s mission to put American workers first – and that began by getting out of the Washington bubble and meeting workers where they’re at,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “Whether it was a carpenters training facility in Colorado, an oyster hatchery in Maryland, a family-owned countertop manufacturer in Minnesota, or a fire academy in Oklahoma – the workers I’ve met with feel supported by the President’s efforts to put America First. The investments that President Trump has made in the workforce are paying off, and his historic Working Families Tax Cuts are delivering results for workers and employers across the country. I look forward to another three years of meeting with American Workers and fighting to put them first in everything we do at the Department of Labor.”

The Secretary stopped in Hawaii last week as her 49th state, meeting with workers from the Dole Plantation, the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, as well as a variety of other industries. Beginning at Moanalua High School, she joined the Culinary Institute as they served breakfast to students, showcasing their efforts to empower local businesses and farms. She later enjoyed hands-on participation in planting and harvesting pineapple on the 700-acre Dole Plantation while learning from employees with multiple decades of experience.

The visit also included remarks at the Hawaii Workforce Development Council’s very first Internship Summit, followed by an award ceremony celebrating interns and internship programs across the Hawaiian Islands. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer presented the intern of the year with an award for her hard work and encouraged attendees to make the most of every opportunity.

Wrapping up her listening tour in Oklahoma, the Secretary visited an American Airlines maintenance facility and the Fire Academy in Tulsa. American Airlines’ Tulsa base is the world's largest commercial aviation maintenance facility. Along with company executives, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer walked the grounds, engaged with workers, and observed how new innovations are making aviation more reliable and safer for workers and customers alike. At the fire station, the Secretary interacted with firefighters and operated some of their drone technologies. She also met with and encouraged apprentices who will be graduating from their training at the end of the month. 

The Secretary launched her listening tour last year in Northeastern Pennsylvania with a roundtable discussion hosted by local union leaders. 

Throughout her many visits, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has achieved her goals to:

• Foster partnerships between businesses, unions, and educators to create a stronger workforce pipeline.
• Strengthen pathways to good-paying, sustainable jobs across U.S. industries.
• Identify ways to improve workforce development and enhance economic prosperity.
• Promote skills training, apprenticeships, and career education that meet modern workforce needs.
• Cut red tape stifling innovation or job growth while protecting workers’ rights.
• Support federal labor policies that empower both workers and job creators.
• Champion Made in America jobs and the industries that drive them.
• Highlight best practices from the communities getting it right by showcasing America at Work.
• Above all, put American workers first.

To see highlights from the Secretary’s 50-state America at Work tour, click here. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the February 2026 Employment Situation Report:

“While record-breaking strikes and bad winter weather dragged down February nonfarm employment, the unemployment rate held steady, and there are several positive signs for our economy that continue to show American workers are recovering from the mess left behind by Biden. 

“President Trump has successfully reignited wage growth, which continued to accelerate in February – rising 3.8 percent year over year. Factory workers’ wages in particular have improved from a $830 loss to an impressive $2,400 gain under the Trump Administration. Additionally, while federal employment has hit its lowest level on record, private sector job growth rose by half a million during the President’s first year in office and 60,000 jobs have been created already this year. 

“As wages continue to outpace inflation, and as the Working Families Tax Cuts help employers and job creators keep even more of their hard-earned money, I’m optimistic that job growth will continue as we undo the Biden-era catastrophe of soaring prices and stagnant wages.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced steps it will take to address fraud and improper payment concerns related to California’s Unemployment Insurance program. 

In a letter to California’s Employment Development Department, the Labor Department cited the state’s poor performance in key areas, including an increasing improper payment rate, insufficient timeliness of payments, and the accuracy and quality of the state’s data – quality that matters for accountability, eligibility of participants, and responsible use of taxpayer and employer dollars. 

In addition to performance concerns, California also has a depleted UI trust fund. The unemployment trust fund holds state-collected payroll taxes used strictly to pay the state portion of unemployment benefits. California currently carries $21 billion in borrowed funds from the federal government to keep the state unemployment system afloat. The Labor Department previously announced that, because of this continued debt, California employers are now subject to increased UI taxes to repay the outstanding loan balance to the federal government.

“Financial issues and potential fraud in California’s unemployment insurance program will be fully examined. The previous administration turned a blind eye toward failing Labor programs: This ends now,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Immediately, we are engaging a specialized strike team to uncover any potential fraud or abuse and quickly moving to protect the American worker and taxpayers. I look forward to restoring the California UI program’s integrity and financial health.” 

The California state auditor has also identified the state’s UI program as high-risk. The auditor noted that inadequate internal controls failed to prevent suspected fraud during fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21, allowing the payment of more than $30 billion in potentially fraudulent claims.

The UI strike team will be comprised of specialists from the department’s national and regional offices.

WASHINGTON –  U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer concluded a four-state swing on her “America at Work” listening tour yesterday, where she met with engineers, farmers, and manufacturers to learn more about their unique experiences in the labor force.

“President Trump has secured historic investments to revitalize critical industries and grow our workforce, and I’m committed to ensuring each and every wage earner has the skills they need to immediately fill the thousands of mortgage-paying jobs being created by his America First policies,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “As I near the end of my America at Work listening tour, hearing directly from workers on the ground has given me valuable insight into steps the Department of Labor can take to better support American Workers, and I look forward to doubling down on our efforts to provide hardworking men and women with the resources they need to succeed.”

Texas

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer began this four-state swing with a visit to Watson Drill Rigs in Fort Worth. As a leader in the drilled shaft industry, Watson provided the Secretary with a hands-on demonstration in operating drill rigs. The family-owned company shared their expertise and feedback, lauding the administration’s push to register more apprentices nationwide. Watson detailed how they have been actively seeking new ways to connect with students early in their careers to expose them to opportunities in the industry that do not require a college degree.

Mississippi 

Joining the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer participated in a roundtable discussion about challenges and opportunities in the agricultural industry. The Secretary shared more information about how the Labor Department is working on their behalf to streamline processes and expand work opportunities for their industry. The Farm Bureau briefed her on their policy efforts at the local, state, national, and international levels to ensure farmers, producers, and other key players are supported.

Alabama 

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer then traveled to Huntsville for a walking tour of The Boeing Company’s Jetplex campus, including their Patriot Advanced Capability-3 seeker missile and circuit factories. She was joined by Rep. Dale Strong, who welcomed her to the “Rocket City.”

For more than 60 years, Boeing has been a vital partner in crafting the nation’s space and defense programs. The Secretary and Rep. Strong were able to engage with the technicians and engineers whose work greatly contributes to U.S. national security, learning more about the aerospace industry and its labor needs.

The visit concluded in Boeing’s Huntsville Electronics Center of Excellence. The Secretary spoke with electrical engineers and technicians who manufacture, maintain, and modify circuit boards, even trying her hand at a mock circuit card assembly. The staff reinforced her emphasis on early skills training for those who are about to enter the workforce.

Arkansas

Wrapping up her four-state swing, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer joined L3Harris Technologies Inc. in Camden. 

The company’s leadership and employees detailed their work, which helps counter evolving threats in the defense and commercial sectors. The Secretary thanked them for their tireless efforts to support the nation’s warfighters and assured them she would relay their feedback to President Trump. 

Learn more about Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s America at Work listening tour.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the January 2026 Employment Situation Report:

“The January jobs report shows that the U.S. economy is off to an undeniably strong start this year, with 172,000 private sector jobs added. Solid growth in construction is proof that President Trump’s America First policies are working their magic, including a notable 25,000 uptick in specialty trades from factory groundbreakings – a direct result of the trillions in historic investments the President has secured. 

“The numbers are reflecting what I’ve been seeing on the ground throughout my America at Work listening tour. With the support of pro-growth policies like the Working Families Tax Cuts, businesses are ready and excited to expand, and Americans are getting back to work. President Trump is fulfilling his promise to grow the private sector while eliminating wasteful and burdensome bureaucracy, with federal employment hitting its lowest level since 1966. 

“As the President’s agenda continues to create a Golden Age of economic prosperity for Americans, the Department of Labor remains laser-focused on upskilling and reskilling our workforce to fill the thousands of mortgage-paying jobs being created month after month.”

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer continued her nationwide “America at Work” listening tour this week, visiting West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

“At the Department of Labor, we are committed to putting American Workers First by providing pathways to mortgage-paying jobs and ensuring everyone comes home safely at the end of the day,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “I enjoyed sharing that commitment with workers in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee this week, where I also learned more about how the department can help address workplace challenges so employers and employees can better provide for themselves and their families.”

West Virginia

On Monday, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer visited Appalachian Power’s John E. Amos plant in Charleston, West Virginia, a three-unit coal-fired power plant owned and operated by Appalachian Power. The day began with a sit-down meeting where the Secretary was briefed on the operations, growth, and safety. They discussed how the Trump Administration’s pro-coal and pro-worker policies have positively impacted hardworking families across the region. 

Following the conversation, the Secretary toured the power plant and spoke with workers who help meet the growing electricity demand of the region. The employees underscored the importance of safety in the industry and supported her push for alternative routes to the labor force outside of four-year degrees. 

Kentucky 

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer then traveled to Lexington, Kentucky for a tour of the historic Keeneland facility. The Secretary was joined by her former colleague Rep. Andy Barr, as they walked the grounds of the National Historic Landmark. They later engaged with local officials and Keeneland leadership in a roundtable discussion about the horseracing industry with a special focus on its labor component.

The tour demonstrated how the multibillion-dollar horseracing industry has been a boon for Kentucky and remains a staple for both their economic output and job market. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Rep. Barr reinforced their commitment to collaborate at all levels of government to support the important industry and its workers.

Tennessee

Wrapping up the week with a visit to her 44th state, the Secretary was welcomed by the Tennessee Valley Authority to their Cumberland Fossil Plant. She joined their leadership to witness an immersive AI presentation which highlighted the company’s focus on innovation and unleashing the full potential of the American Worker. 

Throughout the tour, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer spoke with TVA employees and union leaders, underscoring her mission at the Labor Department to improve the lives of both workers and their families. She reiterated her directive from President Trump to reach 1 million active apprentices nationwide and shared a progress report of having reached approximately 318,000 apprentices since January 2025. 

The Secretary’s visit concluded with an opportunity to engage with the workers who were preparing for an impending snowstorm in the region; she thanked them for their tireless efforts to provide power for families and support for communities.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer completed a four-state swing through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska as she nears the end of her 50-state “America at Work” listening tour, meeting with construction workers, business leaders, local officials, healthcare workers, and apprentices as part of her promise to speak directly with the hardworking men and women who keep our nation running strong. 

“Whether it’s the students who are excited about getting their foot in the door through apprenticeship opportunities, or the business leaders who get to grow and expand their footprint thanks to President Trump’s pro-worker policies, hardworking Americans across the country are excited to have an Administration dedicated to putting them first,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m going to continue these conversations so I can go back to the President and share stories from every industry about what’s working and what isn’t – and learn how we can best support the American Worker through it all.” 

North Dakota 

In Fargo, the Secretary joined Governor Kelly Armstrong and the team at Applied Digital Corp. for a tour of the Polaris Forge 2 construction site, an AI data center currently underway. Viewing the two upcoming facilities on the 900-acre campus, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer spoke with the construction workers and businessmen and women who shared her emphasis on connecting the next generation of workers with in-demand jobs, such as electricians and pipefitters, which are necessary for AI-driven projects. 

Following the tour, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Governor Armstrong engaged with local construction partners and community leaders. The Secretary reaffirmed her commitment to bringing everyone to the table – men and women from all backgrounds and industries – so businesses can grow and their employees can enjoy the Golden Age of prosperity. She reiterated that AI is here to stay, and the Department of Labor is working to advance AI literacy and proficiency for students and workers as they prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. 

South Dakota 

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer toured three Sanford Health locations in Sioux Falls while engaging with their leadership to discuss innovations in virtual care, gastroenterology, and pediatric medicine. Sanford Health is the largest rural health system in the U.S., providing access to high-quality care in America's heartland for over 2 million patients. Her visit began with a tour of the Sanford Virtual Care Center, where she saw firsthand how Sanford is preparing the next generation of clinicians for new care delivery models and paving the way for the innovative future of health care.  

Expanding on that goal of equipping workers with the tools to navigate AI infrastructure in their unique fields, the medical team offered the Secretary hands-on experience with their AI algorithm for colon cancer screening while at the Sanford Center for Digestive Health. Concluding the visit, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer toured the Sanford Children’s Hospital and discussed the importance of employee retention with the facility’s leadership.  

Iowa  

Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs hosted the Secretary for a tour of their campus, where she heard directly from apprentices and their instructors how workforce development programs open doors for those who do not wish to pursue a four-year-degree. The tour included visits to Iowa Western’s welding and HVAC labs, where she met with students pursuing those trades.

The Secretary reiterated her belief that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work and emphasized her focus on creating new and better pathways to the workforce that do not rely on a traditional college route. 

Nebraska 

In Ohama, the Secretary engaged with Union Pacific Railroad Co. workers, leadership, and Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena at its state-of-the-art Training Center and Harriman Dispatching Center where she witnessed the inventive and robust training required for developing the railroad’s skilled workforce, even operating simulated equipment with the assistance of future locomotive engineers currently under Union Pacific’s instruction.

While at the sites, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer participated in the same unique, hands-on learning environment that future dispatchers and engineers enjoy. She also joined dispatchers, engineers, and other Union Pacific employees in a roundtable discussion to hear about their personal experiences. Many echoed her message on the importance of exposing students to vocational training early and allowing them to make mortgage-paying salaries without a college degree. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer shared with the staff and leadership that at her direction, the department has added over 300,000 new apprentices and registered 2,512 new apprenticeship programs, which puts President Trump’s goal of 1 million active apprentices well within reach. 

Throughout her “America at Work” tour, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has beaten the drum of ensuring America’s workforce remains competitive and prepared for the jobs of the future. She will continue to take her insights from the listening tour directly to the President as they work together to put the American Worker first.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the December 2025 Employment Situation Report:

“The December jobs report confirms that 2025 was a blockbuster year of solid job growth thanks to the return President Trump’s America First leadership, with over 650,000 jobs added since he took office. And after years of runaway inflation that crushed purchasing power for hardworking families, President Trump is cleaning up the mess he inherited from the Biden administration and making life more affordable for all Americans. Wage growth is still running strong, up 4.1 percent in the last three months, and inflation has hit its lowest level in nearly five years.

“As we enter the new year, our economy continues gaining momentum and is well-positioned for even more growth as the President doubles down on his efforts to revitalize critical industries. GDP is booming, and all net job growth has continued to take place in the private sector among American-born workers. The Department of Labor will continue our efforts to execute President Trump’s mission to put American Workers First in 2026.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. departments of Labor and Agriculture today announced a Memorandum of Understanding to maximize skills training and work opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants. The agreement, which will help states more effectively connect SNAP participants with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act job training programs, aims to help more low-income Americans find and maintain employment.

“Connecting more Americans with sustainable jobs is a critical responsibility of the Department of Labor,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m honored to partner with Secretary Rollins on this effort to streamline pathways to the workforce for men and women in need of a hand-up – not a hand-out. Empowering more Americans to become self-sufficient will grow our workforce and strengthen our economy.”

“President Trump’s entire cabinet is working every day to ensure hardworking Americans can enter the workforce – and have the skills necessary to succeed in our booming economy,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Connecting low-income Americans, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, to education and employment opportunities is so important. This MOU signifies how our two agencies can further collaborate and use one another’s resources to not only help individuals attain career and technical education, but secure and retain employment. This also complements President Trump’s vision in the One Big Beautiful Bill, making certain work-capable individuals work, train, or volunteer for at least 80 hours per month. I thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for her commitment and partnership in moving more individuals from the sidelines to the workforce.”

Under the agreement, the departments will:

• Develop shared strategies to help SNAP and WIOA program participants access effective employment and training services that reduce their need for public benefits.
• Issue guidance to state agencies and workforce development boards clarifying that SNAP recipients must engage as a “participant” to fulfill the work requirement through a program under WIOA.
• Encourage states to explore program flexibilities and innovations, including WIOA waiver requests, that improve the alignment of SNAP and WIOA programs for the benefit of helping low-income job seekers enter, re-enter, and remain in the workforce.
• Work in a coordinated manner to assist states in successfully navigating various program requirements and utilizing available federal resources to maximize the success of the prospective American worker.
• Offer and encourage joint technical assistance on how to maximize the benefits of each program to expand job opportunities for SNAP recipients and low-income workers.
• Coordinate the review of WIOA Combined State Plans that include SNAP employment and training, including communication regarding the submission and approval of such plans.

Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the departments of Labor and Agriculture. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the November 2025 Employment Situation Report:

“November’s jobs report shows our economy continues to gain momentum despite the economic mess President Trump inherited from the Biden administration and the reckless Democrat shutdown. With 64,000 jobs added in November, more and more Americans are coming off the sidelines and working in the private sector. Investment has been booming thanks to the President’s America First policies, leading to strong nonresidential construction growth. 

“Importantly, the growth we are seeing is concentrated in the private sector and among native-born Americans. Federal employment has retreated to the lowest level in over a decade, completely reversing the previous administration’s federal hiring frenzy.

“The Trump Administration remains laser-focused on making life more affordable for all Americans. Average private sector weekly earnings are on track to rise 4.2 percent during the President’s first year in office, providing working families with more purchasing power as wages outpace inflation. We will continue to double down on our efforts to put American Workers First by building a Golden Age of economic prosperity.”