WASHINGTON, DC – As part of its commitment to state and local partners facing a serious impact by Hurricane Michael, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is ready to make available National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to help Florida assess its workforce needs.

"The Department of Labor will deploy resources to help Floridians who, as a result of Hurricane Michael, find themselves unable to work and without a paycheck," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "The American workforce – along with our volunteers and first responders – is the greatest in the world. As we did during last year's destructive hurricane season, Americans will come together to rebuild their communities.  The Department is here to help ensure the safety and stability of Floridians along the way."

DWG funding will be made available to impacted counties to supplement state and local response and recovery efforts. The Department is monitoring the situation to ensure it is doing everything it can to help Floridians and the mobility of the workforce.

As the severity and geographical extent of the damage becomes known, the Department will monitor activities and take additional actions as necessary.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, DWGs 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.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the September 2018 Employment Situation report:

"In September, the unemployment rate fell to 3.7%, the lowest since 1969. 

"Encouraging indicators were broad based. For the fifth month this year, the unemployment rate has been below 4.0%. The unemployment rate for women fell to 3.6%, the lowest in 65 years, and the unemployment rate for Hispanics matched a record low set in July 2018. The number of unemployed fell below six million for the first time since December 2000.

"This jobs report shows continued steady job creation, with 134,000 jobs added last month, and upward revisions of 87,000 jobs for July and August – bringing the total to 221,000 new jobs. Since President Trump's election, 4.2 million jobs have been created in the United States.

"The American economy continues to fire on all cylinders. During the past few months, we have seen GDP growth exceed 4%, consumer confidence rise to an 18-year high, and the stock market set new records. President Trump's new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada will open even more opportunity for Americans.

"As we recover from Hurricane Florence, the Department of Labor is working closely with states to help them assess workforce needs so that Americans can return to work or find a new job. Getting dislocated workers back on their feet is a top priority."

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has added compliance assistance materials on Association Health Plans (AHPs) to its new Employer.gov website that will help job creators and plan sponsors understand their Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) obligations when setting up and managing AHPs.

A recent final rule published by the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) makes it easier for employers, especially small businesses, to pool resources to create AHP health insurance plans for their employees, and will help increase access to health coverage for workers and business-owners, including sole-proprietors, who previously faced challenges in securing employer-sponsored health coverage.

Employer.gov is a new compliance assistance website that covers various topics and labor laws enforced by federal agencies. This resource, which continues the goal of the Department's recently announced Office of Compliance Initiatives (OCI), encourages and facilitates compliance evaluations.

"This addition to Employer.gov includes links to an array of compliance assistance resources covering the various aspects of establishing and managing an AHP, and will help employers get the information they need to understand the rules of the road when setting up and managing new AHPs," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Preston Rutledge. "Expanding access to AHPs creates a path to affordable health coverage for millions of American workers and their families."

"This resource will promote greater compliance with and understanding of rules and requirements when organizing and managing new Association Health Plans," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy Jonathan Berry.

In August 2018, OCI launched Worker.gov and Employer.gov to provide better access to information about workers' rights and the responsibilities of job creators toward their workers. OCI's mission is to foster a compliance assistance culture within the Department and help the Department's enforcement agencies more effectively use online resources to deliver information and compliance assistance to help the American people. OCI is housed within the Department's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy.

EBSA is responsible for administering and enforcing the fiduciary, reporting and disclosure provisions of Title I of ERISA. Employers, employees, benefit plan sponsors and others in need of assistance can contact the agency at 1-866-444-EBSA or https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/ask-a-question/ask-ebsa.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement today regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):

"President Trump's new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada is a win for the American worker and yet another example of a promise kept. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement takes another important step in the President's efforts to create more family-sustaining jobs in the United States. Through the USMCA, President Trump has rebalanced trade with Mexico and Canada to help American workers. When Americans have opportunities to compete, we show why America has the greatest workforce in the world."

WASHINGTON, DC – With over 1.1 million jobs currently open in healthcare and social assistance, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced a proposal to allow younger Americans to safely develop critical skills for fast-growing jobs in healthcare – which are expected to add 2.4 million jobs, more than any other occupation, through 2026.

A regulation that took effect in 2010 treats healthcare patient lifts on par with construction equipment like backhoes, cranes, and other industrial equipment with respect to youth employment. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), to be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, proposes lifting the restrictions that bar 16- and 17-year-olds from operating patient lifts.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers and the regulated community have criticized the 2010 regulation on the grounds that it unnecessarily deprives youth of valuable skills development opportunities; exacerbates staffing shortages at healthcare facilities; delays the care patients receive; and causes youth to manually lift patients – even though using patient lifts is widely recognized as safer. 

This NPRM is consistent with the Department’s efforts to safely promote workforce development opportunities for youth, while still maintaining worker safety. The Department encourages interested parties to submit comments on the proposed rule, which will be available for public comment for 60 days.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta delivered the keynote address at the Texas Workforce Commission's 2nd Annual ApprenticeshipTexas Conference in San Antonio, Texas.  Secretary Acosta spoke on the Trump Administration's efforts to expand apprenticeships across all industries.

"I want to thank Commissioner Alvarez and the Texas Workforce Commission for the great work that is being done to expand apprenticeships in the Lone Star State," said Secretary Acosta.

"The jobs of today and tomorrow are dynamic and Americans need opportunities to develop new skills throughout their lives. Lifelong learning goes hand-in-hand with lifelong earning. These efforts are helping Americans of all ages, career stages, and walks of life find paths to a good, safe, family-sustaining job."

The Texas Workforce Commission brings together local workforce development boards, community colleges, independent school districts, economic development entities, local job creators, and others to expand apprenticeship and workforce development programs throughout Texas. Earlier in the day, Secretary Acosta toured the Construction Careers Academy, a magnet school in San Antonio that teaches high-school students skills they can apply in career or apprenticeship programs in the construction and related industries, and toward college degrees.

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

"The Department of Labor is actively engaged in Administration-wide efforts to help those impacted by Hurricane Florence's devastation," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "As Americans come together to help each other recover from this hurricane, the Department of Labor is committed to supporting the American worker."

U.S. Department of Labor actions taken in response to Hurricane Florence include the following:

• The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is prepared to provide Disaster Dislocated Worker Grants to help affected states assess workforce needs. The disbursement of funds will be determined as needs are assessed by state and local partners.
• ETA is assisting in administering Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
• The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is coordinating with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, on the release of compliance guidance for employee benefit plans, and plan participants and beneficiaries, in the wake of Hurricane Florence. 
• The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is temporarily suspending select federal contractor requirements, allowing businesses involved in hurricane relief the ability to prioritize recovery efforts.
• The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responding to Hurricane Florence's impact on mines, and stands ready to respond more generally with specialized equipment and personnel.
• The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) is working with its grantees to identify flexibility and additional funding needs for its programs. VETS staff is prepared to offer assistance to employers, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and members of the National Disaster Medical System and Urban Search and Rescue service who may be deployed in support of rescue and recovery operations.
• The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will be prioritizing all calls in the affected areas to continue to provide uninterrupted service to workers and employers.
• The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) has issued a special enforcement advisory that temporarily eases reporting and other regulatory burdens on labor organizations, labor relations consultants, and employers affected by Hurricane Florence.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is actively engaged with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies, and is prepared to provide assistance. North Carolina and South Carolina have state-controlled worker safety and health programs; OSHA stands ready to assist affected states upon request.
• Public Service Announcements – in English and Spanish – have been prepared for broadcast emphasizing the need to work safely in affected areas during recovery efforts. Other hurricane recovery safety materials are available at OSHA.gov.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement today regarding the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month:

"National Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all Americans to celebrate Hispanic-Americans' vibrant and rich traditions that are passed on from one generation to the next. This year's theme, Hispanics: One Endless Voice to Enhance our Tradition, invites us to reflect on Hispanic-Americans' shared multicultural heritage and impact.

"As leaders in the community, innovators and entrepreneurs in the workplace, and stewards of a unique and storied culture, we honor Hispanic-Americans' significant contributions to our great nation."

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of its commitment to state and local partners facing a serious impact by Hurricane Florence, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is ready to make available National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to help Georgia assess its workforce needs.

"The U.S. Department of Labor is prepared to deploy resources to help Georgians who, as a result of Hurricane Florence, find themselves unable to work and without a paycheck," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "The American workforce – along with our volunteers and first responders – is the greatest in the world.  As we did during last year's destructive hurricane season, Americans will come together to rebuild their communities.  The Department of Labor is here to help ensure the safety and stability of Georgians along the way."

DWG funding will be made available to impacted counties to supplement state and local response and recovery efforts. The Department of Labor is monitoring the situation to ensure it is doing everything it can to help Georgians and the mobility of the workforce.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, DWGs 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.

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of its commitment to state and local partners facing a serious impact by Hurricane Florence, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is ready to make available National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to help South Carolina assess its workforce needs.

"The U.S. Department of Labor is prepared to deploy resources to help South Carolinians who, as a result of Hurricane Florence, find themselves unable to work and without a paycheck," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "The American workforce – along with our volunteers and first responders – is the greatest in the world.  As we did during last year's destructive hurricane season, Americans will come together to rebuild their communities.  The Department of Labor is here to help ensure the safety and stability of South Carolinians along the way."

DWG funding will be made available to impacted counties to supplement state and local response and recovery efforts. The Department of Labor is monitoring the situation to ensure it is doing everything it can to help South Carolinians and the mobility of the workforce.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, DWGs 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.