WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the President Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

“Amy Coney Barrett is an admired teacher, scholar, and judge.  President Trump has selected a top-notch nominee of unquestioned ability and integrity.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina to discuss the economic recovery during the coronavirus pandemic. Secretary Scalia toured Machine Specialties, Inc. and met with company leadership, employees, and apprentices to discuss economic recovery and building a stronger workforce through apprenticeships. Additionally, Secretary Scalia participated in a roundtable discussion with local business and community leaders to highlight safely reopening businesses and workforce development efforts in North Carolina. 

Earlier in the day, the Department announced the next step in expanding apprenticeships by recognizing the first group of Standards Recognition Entities, which will oversee the development of high-quality Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs.

“I was pleased to visit Machine Specialties today to learn how their apprenticeship program is equipping workers with skills that lead to good-paying jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “Apprenticeships play a key role in helping Americans get back to work. The announcement this morning of the first Standards Recognition Entities recognized by the Department marks an important milestone in the expansion of apprenticeships to new industries. The President’s actions to expand apprenticeships, cut taxes, knock down unnecessary regulatory barriers, and implement strong trade agreements like the USMCA are powering our economy out of the pandemic and into a strong recovery.”

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

• U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Economic Reopening in Cincinnati, Ohio – “It was great to be back in Ohio and see the progress being made in safely re-opening our economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “I was pleased to visit Consolidated Metals Products and learn about the steps they’ve taken to provide jobs and bring Americans back to work. I would also like to thank Great Oaks for hosting a valuable conversation on business growth, safe workplaces, and equipping workers with the skills needed for good-paying, meaningful jobs.”

• U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Workforce Development In Elizabethtown, Kentucky – “As industry increasingly demands specific skills from workers, apprenticeships and work-based training will be more important than ever in preparing Americans for good-paying jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “I was pleased to visit Elizabethtown Community and Technical College to learn about their approach to worker training and had a good discussion at Summit Polymers about the policies needed for American manufacturing to thrive.”

• U.S. Department of Labor Awards Nearly $11.2 Million in Dislocated Worker Grants in Response to Coronavirus Public Health Emergency – The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of three Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) totaling $11,150,278 to Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin to help address the workforce-related impacts of the coronavirus public health emergency.

Keeping America’s Workplaces Safe and Healthy:

• U.S. Department of Labor Cites Massachusetts Dental Practice for Failing to Fully Implement Workplace Respiratory Protections – OSHA cited a dental practice for violating respiratory protection and other standards at the Georgetown, Massachusetts, location. The company has paid the penalty in full and abated the citations.

Defending Workers’ Rights to Paid Leave and Wages Earned:

• U.S. Department of Labor Continues Effort to Raise Awareness of Paid Sick Leave and Lawful Pay Requirements Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – As part of its comprehensive response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Wage and Hour Division is educating workers with a public awareness campaign about workplace rights amid the coronavirus pandemic.

• Atlanta, Georgia, Consulting Company Pays $1,599 in Back Wages To Employee Instructed to Self-Quarantine Due to Coronavirus Concerns – A consulting company paid back wages after denying paid sick leave to an employee who received a healthcare professional’s instructions to self-quarantine due to coronavirus concerns.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor is focused on protecting the safety and health of American workers, assisting our state partners as they deliver traditional unemployment and expanded unemployment benefits, ensuring Americans know their rights to new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, providing guidance and assistance to employers, and carrying out the mission of the Department.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“Today we lost a great jurist, a pioneer, a loving wife and proud mother and grandmother, and a dear friend to my family. We pray for the Justice, her family, and a reunion with her beloved Marty.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where he joined Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) to highlight workforce development and apprenticeships. The Secretary and Congressman toured Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and held a roundtable discussion with educators and manufacturers. Secretary Scalia and Congressman Guthrie also visited Summit Polymers to meet with employees and tour the facility.

“As industry increasingly demands specific skills from workers, apprenticeships and work-based training will be more important than ever in preparing Americans for good-paying jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “I was pleased to visit Elizabethtown Community and Technical College to learn about their approach to worker training and had a good discussion at Summit Polymers about the policies needed for American manufacturing to thrive.”

“Kentucky’s Second District is home to great schools and businesses that are working hard to help Kentuckians learn the skills they need for jobs in our rapidly changing economy. I was proud to have the opportunity today to show Secretary Scalia and the administration how Kentucky is continuing to increase and create workforce opportunities, such as apprenticeships here in the Second District. I want to thank Secretary Scalia for taking the time to visit today and to talk to me about how we can help more people enter the workforce,” said Congressman Guthrie.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio to discuss economic recovery, workplace safety, and the steps needed to develop a skilled, dynamic workforce. Secretary Scalia visited Consolidated Metals, where he met company leadership and employees and discussed the economic re-opening. Additionally, Secretary Scalia visited Great Oaks which specializes in career and technical education for both high school students and adults. Over 30 career programs are available for high school students living in 36 area school districts. There, he participated in a roundtable discussion with local business leaders and educators regarding workforce development and economic growth.

“It was great to be back in Ohio and see the progress being made in safely re-opening our economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “I was pleased to visit Consolidated Metals Products and learn about the steps they’ve taken to provide jobs and bring Americans back to work. I would also like to thank Great Oaks for hosting a valuable conversation on business growth, safe workplaces, and equipping workers with the skills needed for good-paying, meaningful jobs.”

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in states affected by Hurricane Sally.

In response to the anticipated needs of those living in states in the path of Hurricane Sally, the Department and its agencies are taking the following actions:

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has actively engaged with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies and is prepared to provide assistance;
• The Wage and Hour Division will be prioritizing all calls in the affected areas to continue to provide uninterrupted service to workers and employers;
• The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is prepared to provide Disaster Dislocated Worker Grants to help affected states address workforce needs. The disbursement of funds will be determined as needs are assessed by state and local partners. ETA is also prepared to assist in administering Disaster Unemployment Assistance;
• The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will coordinate with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Treasury, the IRS and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. on the release of compliance guidance for employee benefit plans, and plan participants and beneficiaries in response to Hurricane Sally. General information on disaster relief under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is available on EBSA’s website at Disaster Relief Information for Employers and Advisers and Disaster Relief Information for Workers and Families, or by contacting EBSA online or by calling 1-866-444-3272;
• The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued a Temporary Exemption from certain federal contracting requirements. For a period of three months, from Sept. 15, 2020, to Dec. 15, 2020, new federal contracts to provide relief, clean-up or rebuilding efforts will be exempt from having to develop written affirmative action programs as required by Executive Order 11246;
• The Mine Safety and Health Administration is responding to Hurricane Sally’s impact on mines, and stands ready to respond more generally with specialized equipment and personnel; and
• The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) is working with its grantees to identify further flexibilities and additional funding needs for its programs. VETS staff is prepared to assist employers, members of the National Guard and Reserves and members of the National Disaster Medical System and Urban Search and Rescue who deploy in support of rescue and recovery operations.
• The Office of Workers Compensation Programs is temporarily relaxing refill restrictions for medication for any injured workers displaced by Hurricane Sally so that they can receive all necessary medication in anticipation of or after the storm’s impact.

The Department will continue to monitor developments regarding Hurricane Sally and take additional actions as necessary. For additional information, please visit the Department’s Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance webpage.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of three Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) totaling $11,150,278 to Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin, to help address the workforce-related impacts of the coronavirus public health emergency.

These awards are funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided $345 million for DWGs to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus. This latest award follows 10 previous waves of funding, bringing the total amount awarded to states and territories to $274,241,918.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the coronavirus a nationwide public health emergency on Jan. 31, 2020. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also issued coronavirus emergency declarations for states, outlying areas and Indian tribal governments on March 13, 2020. These federal declarations enable the Secretary of Labor to award Disaster Recovery DWGs to help address the workforce-related impacts of this public health emergency.  

Disaster Recovery DWGs may provide eligible participants disaster-relief employment to address the coronavirus impacts within their communities, as well as employment and training activities. Employment Recovery DWGs provide reemployment services to eligible individuals affected by mass layoffs, such as those resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. 

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.

For further information about the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

• Statement on Labor Day by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia – “Today we celebrate and thank the workers of America, whose hard work, determination, and ingenuity have built and sustain our amazing country. This has been a year of extraordinary challenges for American workers, and a year of extraordinary achievements, as workers in our hospitals, farms, plants, and factories have supported one another and the nation. [Last Friday’s] jobs report reflected some of the fruits of those efforts, with 1.4 million jobs added to the economy and the unemployment rate dropping to 8.4 percent. The Department of Labor remains focused on helping millions more Americans return to work safely, and to providing continued support to those who remain unemployed.”

• U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia Highlights Mine Safety and Economic Recovery in West Virginia – Secretary Scalia traveled to Grafton and Bridgeport, West Virginia, to discuss mine safety, economic recovery, and the importance of the coal mining industry to the American economy.

Keeping America’s Workplaces Safe and Healthy:

• U.S. Department of Labor Cites Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. for Failing to Protect Employees from Coronavirus – OSHA has cited Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus.

• U.S. Department of Labor Cites Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System for Failing to Protect Employees from the Coronavirus – OSHA has cited Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System in Shreveport, Louisiana, for failing to ensure employees wore proper protective equipment.

• U.S. Department of Labor Cites Hackensack Meridian Health in North Bergen, New Jersey, For Failing to Protect Employees from Coronavirus – OSHA has cited Hackensack Meridian Health Residential Care Inc. OSHA issued two serious citations and one other-than-serious violation for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus at its North Bergen, New Jersey, facility.

• U.S. Department of Labor Cites JBS Foods Inc. for Failing to Protect Employees from Exposure to the Coronavirus – Based on a coronavirus-related inspection, OSHA cited the company for a violation of the general duty clause for failing to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that can cause death or serious harm.

• U.S. Department of Labor Cites New Jersey Hospital For Failing to Protect Workers from the Coronavirus – OSHA has cited CarePlus Bergen Inc., doing business as Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, for violating respiratory protection standards at its Paramus, New Jersey, location.

Defending Workers’ Rights to Paid Leave and Wages Earned:

• U.S. Department of Labor Revises Regulations to Clarify Paid Leave Requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act – The Wage and Hour Division posted revisions to regulations that implemented the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

• U.S. Department of Labor Offers Webinar for Iowa Business Owners, Employers and Other Stakeholders on Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave – On September 15, the Wage and Hour Division, the IRS, and the U.S. Small Business Administration are presenting a webinar on paid sick leave, and expanded family and medical leave requirements of the FFCRA for Iowa’s employers and business owners.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor is focused on protecting the safety and health of American workers, assisting our state partners as they deliver traditional unemployment and expanded unemployment benefits, ensuring Americans know their rights to new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, providing guidance and assistance to employers, and carrying out the mission of the Department.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Sept. 10, 2020 at 1 p.m., the U.S. Department of Labor released a video of the Hall of Honor induction ceremony for “The Rosies – Women Riveters, Welders & World War II Industry Workers.”

Joining U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia in honoring the “Rosies” were special guests including First Lady of the United States Melania Trump, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, Solicitor of Labor Kate O’Scannlain and Women’s Bureau Director Laurie Todd-Smith.

A Rosie, June Robbins of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, visited the Hall of Honor and offered acceptance remarks on behalf of all Rosies. Robbins served as a drafter at the Philadelphia Navy Yard during World War II.  Secretary Scalia greeted her on her visit to the Department.  

“The grit, resolve, and know-how displayed by the Rosies in the war effort continue to provide inspiration today,” said Secretary Eugene Scalia. “I want to thank the Rosies for their significant contributions to the way we think about women in the workplace. I’d also like to thank First Lady Melania Trump, Secretary Elaine L. Chao, and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump for joining the Department of Labor in this important celebration of women trailblazers.”

“For 100 years, the Women’s Bureau has been working on behalf of working women, and the Rosies are the embodiment of that work and deserve this honor,” said Women’s Bureau Director Laurie Todd-Smith. “Through their commitment and achievement, these women set examples for future generations that women could succeed in every industry.”

The name “Rosie” came from Rosalind Walter, who went to work in a Corsair factory in 1942. Rosie became a household name due to the famous, archetypical depictions of Rosie the Riveter by Norman Rockwell in the Saturday Evening Post and due to J. Howard Miller’s famous “We Can Do It!” poster commissioned by Westinghouse. The Rosies played an instrumental role in winning World War II.

Most surviving Rosies were born in the 1920s, and served the war effort during their late teens or early 20s, although many women already in their 30s or 40s also worked during the war. It is estimated that between 5 and 7 million women held war industry jobs during World War II, increasing the female work force to about 19 million.

To view the video of the Hall of Honor please click here.

The Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor was established in 1988 to honor Americans whose distinctive contributions have elevated working conditions, wages, and overall quality of life for American families.

To learn more about the Women’s Bureau and their 100th Anniversary celebration visit www.dol.gov/wb.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.