WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on the October 2022 Employment Situation Report:

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 261,000 jobs in the month of October, and the unemployment rate rose to 3.7 percent from 3.5 percent in September, continuing to remain near historic lows for the past several months.

“With an average of 289,000 jobs added per month over the past three months, this economy continues to produce steady, stable job growth that benefits workers and their families. October’s job gains were broad-based across industries, with notable growth in manufacturing and healthcare. Manufacturing grew by 32,000 jobs in October, continuing the historic resurgence of this blue-collar sector, which now provides 137,000 more jobs than it did before the pandemic. The healthcare sector added 53,000 jobs, including gains in hospital employment, doctors’ and dentists’ offices and nursing homes.

"The overall economy grew at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the third quarter of 2022, and the unemployment rate for much of this year has hovered near historically low levels. As the Biden-Harris administration continues to make job-creating investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, healthcare and more, the Department of Labor remains focused on helping all workers succeed and on improving job quality across the economy. Through our Good Jobs Initiative, we will continue to work with government and private-sector partners to make sure workers have equitable access to the in-demand skills they need to take advantage of the opportunities being created in this economy.”

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh joined other Department of Labor officials to meet with a group of immigrant workers and worker advocates in Washington on Oct. 6, 2022, to discuss the importance of protecting these workers and strengthening relationships among those committed to their well-being.

The “Protecting Immigrant Workers” roundtable discussion included workers and representatives from the United Farm Workers, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Unemployed Workers United, Georgia Familias Unidas and Arriba Las Vegas Worker Center.

“No matter where you were born or how you arrived in the United States, you have rights: you have the right to work safely and the right to be paid all of the wages you are owed by law,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Everyone at the Department of Labor is working every day to make sure all workers can enforce their rights on the job.”

The discussion provided an overview of the department’s efforts to protect immigrant workers from workplace retaliation, to educate workers on their right to a safe workplace and to the pay they are owed by law, to ensure workers can assist the department in its enforcement efforts without fear of immigration consequences, and barriers immigrant workers face in the workplace.

“We appreciate the Department of Labor recognizing the valuable contributions of immigrant workers,” said Georgia Systemic Change Coordinator with the United Farm Workers Foundation Alma Young. “Farmworkers are essential workers and deserve to be treated with respect.”

“At the end of the day, all workers have the right to report wage theft and other illegal practices and should feel safe in doing so,” said political director for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Liz McElroy. “We appreciate the work of Secretary Walsh and his team to effectively enforce the laws and ensure all immigrant workers can participate in Department of Labor investigations.

In addition to Secretary Walsh, Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda, Principal Deputy Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker and International Labor Affairs Bureau Director Thea Lee offered remarks.

Learn more about workers’ rights and protections.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on the September 2022 Employment Situation Report:

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 263,000 jobs in the month of September, and the unemployment rate edged back down to a more than 50-year low of 3.5 percent. With 10 million jobs added since President Biden took office and an average of more than 370,000 per month over the last three months, this economy continues to produce strong and steady job growth that benefits workers and their families.

“September’s job gains were widespread, with strong growth in healthcare professions, food and drinking establishments, and professional and business services, as well as steady, continuing gains in manufacturing and construction. With this report, healthcare jobs have now fully recovered from pandemic lows. The unemployment rate fell across demographics, and notably the Hispanic unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent, the lowest rate ever recorded.

“This strong labor market has empowered workers to claim better opportunities and the administration’s investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and clean energy continue to create good jobs. Through the Good Jobs Initiative, we are working across the government and the economy to improve job quality and equity for all working people. We are committed to building on this worker-centered economic recovery to strengthen our nation’s workforce today and over the long term.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following statement after rail companies and union negotiators reached a tentative agreement:

“Moments ago, following 20 consecutive hours of negotiations at the Department of Labor, rail companies and union negotiators came to a tentative agreement that balances the needs of workers, businesses and our nation’s economy. Secretary Walsh and the Biden Administration applauds all parties for reaching this hard-fought, mutually beneficial deal. Our rail system is integral to our supply chain, and a disruption would have had catastrophic impacts on industries, travelers and families across the country.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration is seeking nominations to fill five, three-year vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council. Nominations must be submitted by Oct. 3, 2022.

The council provides advice on policies and regulations affecting employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The Secretary of Labor appoints its 15 members, who serve staggered three-year terms and represent specified groups and fields related to employee benefits. The council meets at least four times a year, and makes recommendations to the Secretary regarding functions carried out under ERISA.

Nominations are being accepted for one vacancy each in the fields of employee organizations, employers, the general public, insurance, and accounting. Interested persons or organizations may nominate qualified individuals for membership.

Nominations should briefly describe the candidate's qualifications to serve on the council, the position (group or field) for which the candidate is being nominated and should state that the candidate will accept appointment to the council if offered. Please include the full name, work affiliation, mailing address, phone number and email address of both the candidate and the nominator. Nominations must be submitted by letter, resolution or petition and signed by the person or – in the case of a nomination by an organization – by the group's representative making the recommendation.

Submit nominations to Christine Donahue, Council Executive Secretary, as e-mail attachments to donahue.christine@dol.gov, or by mail to U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Suite N-5700, Washington, DC 20210.  

Attendance and participation in the council’s meetings and other work has historically resulted in a commitment of at least 20 days per year. Additional information about the ERISA Advisory Council and the appointment process can be found on the council web page.

The Department of Labor is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse council. Selection of council membership will be consistent with achieving the greatest impact, scope, and credibility among diverse stakeholders. The diversity in such membership includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh met with leading mental health advocacy groups, health care professional associations and other stakeholders today in Washington to discuss workers’ access to mental health services, treatment and supportive workplaces.

Held as the nation’s observance of National Recovery Month and National Suicide Prevention Week, the gathering allowed the Secretary and officials from the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, including Acting Assistant Secretary of Employee Benefits Security Ali Khawar, to highlight the department’s work to enforce and interpret the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, and other departmental initiatives focused on mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

“Enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act is critically important to the Department of Labor, and we also recognize the many impacts that mental health conditions and substance use disorders have on U.S. workplaces,” explained Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “These concerns affect workplace safety and health, impede equitable job training, underscore the importance of family and medical leave, and highlight the need for employers to provide supportive workplaces.”

Following Secretary Walsh’s remarks, those in attendance participated in a discussion on topics ranging from suicide prevention in the workplace, exclusion of medical treatment for eating disorders, the economic toll of mental health conditions, and barriers to job development training for mental health workers. The discussion included representatives of the following organizations:

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• American Mental Health Counselors Assoc.
• American Psychiatric Assoc.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy and Action 
• Families USA
• Inseparable
• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• National Alliance for Eating Disorders
• National Assoc. of Addiction Treatment Providers
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• The Kennedy Forum

WASHINGTON – In the spirit of this week’s Labor Day celebration, the U.S. Department of Labor is collaborating with the Small Business Administration, the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services to release a first-of-its-kind digital toolkit for employers seeking guidance on supporting and responding to their employees interested in exercising their right to form or join a union.

“The Small Business Administration’s toolkit is an invaluable resource for employers looking for information and guidance on unions and the value of collective bargaining,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, who serves as vice chair of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment. “Worker interest in forming unions is higher than we’ve seen in decades, and this resource will be an important tool in helping employers respond positively to worker organizing campaigns.”

Executing  the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of promoting and supporting unionization and collective bargaining, the digital toolkit highlights the mutual benefits to employers and workers of labor-management partnerships and collective bargaining, in addition to providing numerous resources – through partner agencies – including information on navigating workplace issues, working together to support worker organizing, establishing labor-management partnerships, respecting workers’ freedom to choose union representation and addressing concerns of small businesses.

“Building strong teams and managing workforce issues are critical skillsets that small business owners must continually develop as they start and grow resilient businesses, and the SBA remains committed to supporting them with relevant content and trainings,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, a member of the White House Task Force. “The resources in this collaborative digital toolkit will help small businesses learn about, evaluate and manage the growing worker-driven and market-based trends in employee organizing.”

Established by President Biden’s Executive Order on April 26, 2021, the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment directs the coordination and mobilization of more than 20 federal agencies to implement policies, programs, and practices to empower workers to organize and successfully bargain with their employers. Following up on that stated commitment, the task force published a report with more than 70 recommendations in February 2022 that aims to improve relations between and outcomes for both American workers and small businesses. The task force’s second report will be released in the near future.

“Small businesses are a crucial component of the American economy, and they employ millions of workers.” said NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. “This toolkit provides key resources that small business owners can use to ensure their employees can freely and fairly exercise their labor rights and create the effective labor-management partnerships that benefit workers, small businesses and communities alike.”

“FMCS is thrilled to collaborate with our fellow agencies on the toolkit. It is a fantastic opportunity to bring awareness to both labor and management that FMCS is ready, willing, and able to assist in creating effective labor-management partnerships,” said FMCA Acting Director Gregory Goldstein. “FMCS has been effective throughout our 75-year history in preventing, managing and resolving workplace conflict related to collective bargaining. And all at no-cost to the parties.”

Developed through collaboration across federal agencies, the toolkit also builds on the Biden-Harris administration’s pro-union legacy, coming on the heels of the passing of the pro-worker and pro-small business Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower costs for American families, create a more equitable economy, and introduce new opportunities for small businesses and manufacturers, who create nearly two-thirds of net new private sector jobs.

With 16 million U.S. workers who are union members or in a job that provides them union representation, of which more than six in 10 workers are women and/or people of color, unions are also a powerful force in narrowing the pay gap for women and workers of color.

Learn more about the Small Business Administration, the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on Labor Day 2022:

“On Labor Day we honor the achievements of America’s workers, and in 2022 we have a historic victory to celebrate. Our nation’s working people have come all the way back from the depths of a global pandemic, regaining every job lost and more.

“This milestone seemed impossible to reach on Labor Day two years ago. The pandemic was out of control. Millions of Americans were out of work, and economic forecasters said unemployment could remain elevated for years to come.

“Since President Biden took office, we’ve added 9.7 million jobs to the economy. The unemployment rate has dropped to 3.7 percent. This job growth has been broad and widely shared.

“The energy and the vision that inspires me this Labor Day comes directly from the working people who have pushed and scraped and muscled us back on course. The American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act – all historic milestones that will continue to transform work in our nation – show that we are working to sustain this momentum for the generations that follow.

“There were those who said America’s workers didn’t want to go back to work, but Labor Day is a reminder of how warped and defeatist that view of our nation is and always has been. We’ve shown how much we can overcome and how much we can achieve together.

“I wish everyone a joyous Labor Day, and I look forward to the work to come.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on the August 2022 Employment Situation Report:

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 315,000 jobs in the month of August, and the unemployment rate rose to 3.7 percent as more people entered the labor market looking for work. With 9.7 million jobs added since President Biden took office and an average of 378,000 per month over the past three months, the economy continues to transition from a historically powerful recovery into steady and stable progress that benefits working families.

Job growth in August was broad-based, with significant gains in professional and business services, retail trade, wholesale trade and manufacturing. Health care jobs also saw strong growth, including in the nursing and residential care sector hit hard by the pandemic. And in a welcome milestone, two key measures of access to opportunity – the labor force participation rate and the employment-population ratio – for the first time surpassed their February 2020 pre-pandemic levels for women aged 25-54.

As we head into Labor Day weekend, America’s workers and their families have reasons to celebrate. All the jobs lost in the pandemic and more have been recovered. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law already has invested over $100 billion in projects that create good jobs and strengthen communities. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, we are on course to lower costs for families and achieve a clean energy transition by creating more middle-class jobs. At the Department of Labor, through our Good Jobs Initiative we are focused on improving wages, benefits and career opportunities all across the economy, with an emphasis on workers who have been shut out of past recoveries. Our workforce has faced historic disruptions and the nature of work continues to change. But America remains a country filled with hard workers. That’s evident in our continuing strong job growth, and it’s why we are committed to delivering on the promise of good jobs and providing the tools and resources all workers need to succeed.”

WASHINGTON – Dr. Jill Biden welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to the White House today to mark a milestone in the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative, where members of the initial cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors discussed steps being taken to expand apprenticeship programs throughout the nation and promote the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships in numerous industries.

The initiative is an effort to modernize, strengthen, diversify and accelerate the use of Registered Apprenticeships to advance career pathways and equity in the nation’s economic recovery.

“By partnering with employers and industry stakeholders, the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative has produced commitments to create nearly 500 new Registered Apprenticeships programs,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “These results will increase our skilled workforce  – including people in underrepresented communities, especially women, people of color, veterans and people with disabilities – equipping them with good-paying, high-quality jobs and a pathway to the middle class.”

In July 2022, the department announced the selection of the first group of 207 officials and organizations as Apprenticeship Ambassadors. They were chosen to expand the nation’s use of Registered Apprenticeships through partnerships with employers, labor organizations, industry associations, educators, community-based organizations and other stakeholders. 

The Apprenticeship Ambassadors have existing Registered Apprenticeship programs in over 40 in-demand industries and have committed to expand and diversify these programs over the next year by collectively: developing 460 new Registered Apprenticeship programs across their 40 industries, hiring over 10,000 new apprentices, and holding 5,000 outreach, promotional and training events to help other business, labor and education leaders launch similar programs.

Registered Apprenticeships provide a time-honored and proven “earn-as-you-learn” model to train workers for good paying, high-quality jobs across industries.

The department recently marked the 85th anniversary of the National Apprenticeship Act, and has announced that National Apprenticeship Week will be held Nov. 14-20, 2022.

Learn more about the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative.