WASHINGTON, DC – As the Trump Administration mobilizes to address opioid abuse, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced more than $22 million in National Health Emergency (NHE) Dislocated Worker Demonstration Grant funding to six state grantees. The grants will be used to provide reemployment services for individuals impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

On Oct. 26, 2017, President Trump announced that his Administration was declaring the opioid crisis a national Public Health Emergency under federal law.

"President Trump is fully committed to fighting the opioid epidemic, which has devastated lives, families, and communities across the nation," U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta said. "A family-sustaining job is a critical step toward long-term recovery and healing from opioid misuse and abuse. These grants will provide services to help Americans impacted by opioids rejoin the workforce."

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, NHE Demonstration Grants provide funding to states, outlying areas, and eligible tribal governments to address the economic and workforce impacts associated with the opioid health crisis. The Department continues to review existing authorities to assist additional states as they address this health crisis.

The six states receiving NHE Dislocated Worker Demonstration Grant funding are:

• New Hampshire ($5,000,000)
• Pennsylvania ($4,997,287)
• Washington State ($4,892,659)
• Rhode Island ($3,894,875)
• Maryland ($1,975,085)
• Alaska ($1,263,194)

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta toured the Boeing Company's North Charleston facility today as he highlighted President Trump's Pledge to America's Workers – a White House initiative that calls on job creators to invest in the workforce by providing opportunities for education and training that will help more Americans thrive in the modern workplace.

During Secretary Acosta's visit, Boeing signed the Pledge to America's Workers and committed to provide enhanced career training for 100,000 U.S. workers. At a White House ceremony on Thursday, companies, trade associations, and labor pledged to create new workforce development opportunities – including apprenticeships, work-based learning, continuing education, on-the-job training, and reskilling – for nearly four million workers and students.

"Investing in American workers is a strategy that will lead to great returns for individuals, for companies, for communities, and for our nation," said Secretary Acosta. "Boeing has set a great example with their pledge that many large and small businesses, unions, trade organizations, and educational institutions can repeat."

In addition to announcing the Pledge for America's Workers, on Thursday President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the National Council for the American Worker and the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. The Council, comprised of senior Administration officials, is tasked with developing a national strategy for training and retraining American workers needed across high-demand industries. The Board will draw upon the knowledge and expertise of leaders from outside government to develop recommendations on how to improve our country's education and training.

More information regarding the President's Executive Order can be found here.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today regarding President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order establishing the National Council for the American Worker and the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board:

"President Trump's Executive Order represents a national commitment to helping Americans upskill and reskill to embrace rapidly changing job demands," said Secretary Acosta. "A blend of traditional and workplace lifelong learning is required for a nimble workforce ready to succeed in overcoming any challenge. As a result of the President's action, companies are signing pledges to invest in millions of working Americans. Investing in the greatest workforce in the world – the American workforce – will yield great returns."

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

"The June unemployment rate moved up to 4.0%, as 601,000 Americans entered the labor force. Americans rejoining the workforce represented their largest share of the unemployed since before the recession. This report shows continued strong job growth, with 213,000 jobs added in June, significant gains in manufacturing, and upward revisions of 37,000 jobs in April and May. Since the President's election, 3.7 million jobs have been created. Wage growth remained steady at 2.7%; our economy would benefit from greater wage increases."

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is helping millions of working Americans gain access to quality, affordable health insurance for themselves and their families.

Many small businesses and their employees have struggled with government restrictions that limit access to quality, affordable health coverage. This Association Health Plan (AHP) reform will address many of the inequities between small and large businesses in access to that coverage.

Many small business owners cannot afford to offer health insurance to their employees. The percentage of small businesses offering healthcare coverage has been dropping substantially. For the self-employed, the individual market exchanges do not offer affordable coverage either; premiums more than doubled between 2013 and 2017 with deductibles increasing even more.

This reform allows small employers – many of whom are facing much higher premiums and fewer coverage options as a result of Obamacare – a greater ability to join together and gain many of the regulatory advantages enjoyed by large employers.

Under the Department's new rule, AHPs can serve employers in a city, county, state, or a multi-state metropolitan area, or a particular industry nationwide. Sole proprietors as well as their families will be permitted to join such plans. In addition to providing more choice, the new rule makes insurance more affordable for small businesses. Just like plans for large employers, these plans will be customizable to tailor benefit design to small businesses' needs. These plans will also be able to reduce administrative costs and strengthen negotiating power with providers from larger risk pools and greater economies of scale. 

"President Donald J. Trump is expanding affordable health coverage options for America's small businesses and their employees. Many of our laws, particularly Obamacare, make healthcare coverage more expensive for small businesses than large companies," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "AHPs are about more choice, more access, and more coverage. The President's decision helps working Americans – and their families – purchase quality, affordable health coverage."

The rule includes several safeguards. Consumer protections and healthcare anti-discrimination protections that apply to large businesses will also apply to AHPs organized under this rule. As it has for large company plans since 1974, the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration will monitor these new plans to ensure compliance with the law and protect consumers. Additionally, States will continue to share enforcement authority with the Federal Government.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that millions of people will switch their coverage to more affordable and more flexible AHP plans and save thousands of dollars in premiums. CBO also estimates that 400,000 previously uninsured people will gain coverage under AHPs.

The new rule does not affect previously existing AHPs, which were allowed under prior guidance. Such plans can continue to operate as before, or elect to follow the new requirements if they want to expand within a geographic area, regardless of industry, or to cover the self-employed. New plans can also form and elect to follow either the old guidance or the new rules.

In October 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 13813, "Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States." The Executive Order called for the Secretary of Labor to consider expanding access to health coverage by allowing more employers to form AHPs. The Department used its delegated authority under the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974 in developing this regulation.

Information about the rule and other resources are available on the Department's website.

WASHINGTON, DC – For the first time on record, the number of American job openings exceeds the number of job seekers – providing the latest indicator of continued job growth and economic strength under President Donald J. Trump.

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) issued today by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed a record 6.7 million available jobs in the United States during the month of April. Previously released BLS data showed 6.3 million job seekers in April and 6.1 million job seekers during the month of May.

“Never before have we had an economy where the number of open jobs exceeds the number of job seekers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “This Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the necessary skills to access good, family-sustaining jobs. With the lowest unemployment rate in over 18 years and 3.4 million jobs created since President Trump’s election, this is a great time be a job seeker in the United States.”

The record number of job openings announced today is the latest employment record set during the Trump Administration. Under President Trump, the unemployment rates for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Asian-Americans reached record lows. During the month of May, the unemployment rates for adult women and adult men reached the lowest levels since 2000, at 3.3% and 3.5% respectively.

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

“With the unemployment rate falling to 3.8% in May, the lowest in over 18 years, America’s job market remains strong. The unemployment rates for African-Americans and Asian-Americans reached record lows. Adult women and adult men recorded the lowest unemployment rates since 2000, at 3.3% and 3.5% respectively.

“With 223,000 jobs created in May, America’s job creators have now added over 3.4 million jobs since President Trump’s election. That job increase includes more than a million jobs since the President signed his tax cuts package into law five months ago.

“Wages continue to rise, although we want to see even more growth. As the President works to ensure all Americans can access good, family-sustaining jobs, we hope to see even more Americans join the labor force.”

WASHINGTON, DC – During tours today in Maine of the Penobscot Job Corps Center and the Cianbro Institute, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) highlighted the importance of ensuring all Americans have the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow. With Maine’s unemployment rate holding at a record low for two straight months, Secretary Acosta and Senator Collins focused on the importance of ensuring that workforce education programs meet the needs of job creators and job seekers.

“President Trump’s Administration is working to ensure all Americans learn the skills they need for good, family-sustaining jobs,” said Secretary Acosta. “Maine’s employment situation is very strong, with the unemployment rate at a record low for two straight months and 7,600 jobs added in the state since the President’s election. I appreciated the opportunity to join Senator Collins in meeting with Mainers who are working to prepare job seekers for success in the workplace.”

“I was delighted to welcome Secretary Acosta to Maine and show him two workforce development programs in our state that are giving Mainers the tools they need to build successful careers: the Penobscot Job Corps Center and the Cianbro Institute,” said Senator Collins.  “Penobscot Job Corps helps young adults gain hands-on job training skills, putting them on track to excel in high-growth fields, and the Cianbro Institute offers intensive training and education to Mainers seeking good-paying jobs in the construction industry.  I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Acosta to support these types of workforce training programs that create opportunities for all Americans.”

Secretary Acosta and Senator Collins visited the Penobscot Job Corps Center in Bangor, Maine, and the Cianbro Institute, a workforce education facility, in Pittsfield, Maine. Following a discussion with leadership and staff at each location, the two toured each facility to learn more about their workforce education programs.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today regarding Memorial Day:

“On Memorial Day, Americans keep a promise to forever honor the courage, bravery, and patriotism of America’s fallen heroes. Through solemn observances and in quiet moments, we honor the proud men and women of America’s armed services who gave their lives to defend our nation. We are forever grateful for their selfless sacrifice. Because of their heroic service, we are able to live in freedom.”

WASHINGTON, DC – When President Trump addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation in January of this year, he reminded the audience that his commitment to our farmers has been clear since the day his Administration began:  “From that day on, we have been working every day to deliver for America’s farmers just as they work every single day to deliver for us.” 

In keeping with that commitment, our Departments are working in coordination to propose streamlining, simplifying, and improving the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program – reducing cumbersome bureaucracy and ensuring adequate protections for U.S. workers.

The Trump Administration is committed to modernizing the H-2A visa program rules in a way that is responsive to stakeholder concerns and that deepens our confidence in the program as a source of legal and verified labor for agriculture – while also reinforcing the program’s strong employment and wage protections for the American workforce.  In addition, by improving the H-2A visa program and substantially reducing its complexity, the Administration also plans to incentivize farmers’ use of the E-Verify program to ensure their workforce is authorized to work in the United States.

As the agencies tasked with administering or facilitating the H-2A visa program, and thus closest to farmer and labor stakeholders, the Departments of State, Agriculture, Labor, and Homeland Security are embarking on a process to modernize the H-2A visa program by clarifying and improving the regulations governing the program.  We look forward to delivering a more responsive program soon.