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

“Job growth was the strongest since President Trump’s election, with 313,000 jobs created in the month of February.  The non-stop job creation since the election has yielded 2.9 million jobs.  For the fifth month in a row, the unemployment rate remained at 4.1%, a 17-year low. Goods-producing industries such as manufacturing, mining and logging, and construction collectively had the highest month-to-month growth since 1998.  These were among many sectors experiencing significant growth.

“President Trump’s tax reform continues to boost economic confidence with more than 400 companies handing out bonuses, raises, or other benefits to more than 4 million Americans.  Today’s report shows that average hourly earnings significantly increased in February and have increased by 2.6% over the last year.  We saw positive movement in the labor force participation rate, and we would like to see that continue over the coming months.”

WASHINGTON, DC – At a special ceremony today at the U.S. Department of Labor, Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta inducted President Ronald Reagan into the Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor, which was established in 1988 to honor Americans whose distinctive contributions have elevated working conditions, wages, and overall quality of life for American families.

As President of the Screen Actors Guild, Ronald Reagan remains the only President of the United States to have led a major union. As President of the United States, he returned a sense of economic optimism to our nation that resulted in the creation of millions of jobs for the American people. Additionally, President Reagan’s support for Solidarity in Poland prompted a flourishing of freedom that ultimately led to the collapse of communism.

“From humble roots, to Hollywood, to Sacramento, to Washington, President Ronald Reagan left a lasting impact on America,” said Secretary Acosta. “President Reagan was deeply committed to the ‘heroes’ of the American workforce. He will be remembered in our nation, across the globe, and throughout history for his unwavering commitment to the fight for liberty. I am proud that President Reagan’s signature will remain honored and cherished from this day forward in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor.”

Secretary Acosta was joined at the induction ceremony by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, and several senior members of President Reagan’s administration, including former Attorney General Edwin Meese III, former Secretary of Labor William E. Brock III, and Theodore B. Olson, who served as Assistant Attorney General under President Reagan and who is a current member of the Board of Trustees for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.

Secretary Acosta was also joined by Edward D. Mullins, President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York City, which requested President Reagan’s nomination for induction into the Hall of Honor. The Sergeants Benevolent Association is comprised of approximately 13,000 active and retired sergeants of the New York City Police Department.  

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement today regarding the start of Women’s History Month:

“Women’s History Month provides an opportunity for Americans to learn more about pioneering women who have shaped our nation – from trailblazers to quiet heroes. Through the hard work of previous generations of women, American women today are leaders in all aspects of our national life. As we honor the legacy of women in American history, we continue our efforts to ensure that American women have access to good, family-sustaining jobs.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the release of President Trump’s proposal to invest in American infrastructure:

“Modernizing our nation’s infrastructure is essential to continuing strong economic and job growth. President Trump’s bold plan will not only create jobs in construction industries, but will also support job growth across many industries from transportation to technology. The Department of Labor is prepared to help Americans close the skills gap and overcome licensing barriers to fill open, family-sustaining jobs.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today commented on President Donald J. Trump’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor. Through targeted investments and common sense reforms, the Department’s budget request supports the President’s continued efforts to create good, safe jobs for the American people.

“The President’s budget provides a fiscally responsible framework to advance the Department of Labor’s mission of ensuring all Americans have access to family-sustaining jobs,” said Secretary Acosta. “From addressing the skills gap through apprenticeships to prioritizing workplace safety, this budget reflects a strong commitment to the American workforce. It also includes important reforms to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to maximum effect.”

The FY 2019 request for the Department of Labor is $10.9 billion in discretionary budget authority, paired with mandatory investments and reforms. 

Fiscal Year 2019 Department of Labor Budget Request Highlights:

• Equips Americans with the skills they need to fill open, high-paying jobs by increasing investment to $200 million in apprenticeships, a proven earn-while-you-learn strategy. Apprenticeships match job creators with job seekers, furthering the goal of a skilled American workforce.
• Places a priority on helping protect American workers through robust enforcement of worker safety laws and compliance assistance outreach.  The budget includes:
  • $549 million for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to help ensure workers are safe on the job, providing $135 million for federal and state compliance assistance activities to enhance employer outreach and training.
  • $230 million for the Wage and Hour Division to protect wages and working conditions in U.S. workplaces, including a funding increase of $4 million to educate employers on how to comply with the law.
  • $376 million for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, reflecting a strong commitment to enforcement, compliance assistance, training, and innovative technologies to protect the safety and health of the nation’s miners.
  • $190 million for the Employee Benefits Security Administration, providing a $2 million increase to provide interpretive guidance, enforcement, oversight activities, and compliance assistance.
  • $47 million for the Office of Labor-Management Standards to administer safeguards for labor union democracy and financial integrity, including a funding increase of $3 million to re-establish the International Compliance Audit Program.
• Protects the American workforce by requesting Congressional authorization to cover the operating costs for foreign labor certification programs through fees paid by employers who use these programs. This will ensure that only employers who use the program pay for it instead of funding it from tax dollars, and the program will have a more reliable, workload-based source of funding that ultimately eliminates the need for appropriations.
• Provides for paid family leave for new parents.  The Budget invests in a better future for Americans with a proposal to provide six weeks of paid family leave to new mothers and fathers, including adoptive parents, so all families can afford to take time to recover from childbirth and bond with a new child. 
• Reforms the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act program by modernizing program administration, simplifying benefit rates, and introducing controls to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Creates a more accountable and efficient Department by centralizing administrative activities such as procurement, human resources, financial management, and security within the Department to improve oversight, eliminate duplication, and save money. The Budget also provides the Department with flexibilities to better allocate resources to fund IT modernization.

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

“Our strong economy continues to grow, as 200,000 new jobs were added in January 2018.  Since Election Day 2016, American job creators have added 2,553,000 new jobs.  The unemployment rate remains at a 17-year low of 4.1%.  Job growth in construction was strong in January, with 36,000 new jobs created. 

“January saw the third consecutive monthly rise in the wage growth rate, with a 2.9% 12-month increase in average hourly earnings.  December 2017 wage growth rate was revised up to 2.7%; November 2017 was 2.5%.  This may be the start of a welcome trend in wage gains, and marks the highest percentage increase in average hourly earnings since 2009.  Average hourly earnings data excludes bonuses.

“The reaction to the President’s landmark tax reform law has been overwhelmingly positive.  Job creators across the nation have announced billions of dollars in bonuses, higher wages, and new benefits for employees.  Many have also announced new investments in facilities and equipment.  All of this is welcome news.”

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

“African Americans’ substantial contributions as innovators and activists, educators and entrepreneurs, and civic and military leaders have strengthened the United States. National African American History Month is a time for all Americans to remember and learn about the sacrifices and achievements of African Americans who shaped our nation. During this month of celebration, we also honor African Americans who worked to open the doors of the workplace for all Americans. Through their efforts, these men and women have earned a special place in our nation’s history.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement this evening regarding President Trump’s State of the Union address:

“President Trump’s pro-growth, pro-jobs policies are putting Americans back to work and more money in their pockets. Tonight, the President reminded the nation of the great strides America’s economy has made under his leadership, and he laid out an optimistic vision for continued strong economic growth.

“In the President’s first year in office, the U.S. economy created over 2 million jobs; unemployment fell to 4.1%, a 17-year low; and Americans’ retirement savings have benefited from dramatic gains, fueled by a 42% increase in the stock market since Election Day 2016. Additionally, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response from job creators to the President’s landmark tax reform law. 

“The Department of Labor continues to advance the President’s common sense economic agenda, including growing apprenticeships, expanding access to healthcare, and strengthening the nation’s infrastructure. The American workforce is the greatest in the world, and this Administration will continue to support the creation of good, family-sustaining jobs.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today regarding President Trump’s remarks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on tax reform legislation he signed into law last month:

“Passage of tax reform was welcome news for American workers, job seekers, and job creators. More than one million hardworking Americans have already received a bonus or pay raise as a direct result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The President’s tax reform has spurred greater investment in the United States, a growing economy, and a brighter future for the American workforce.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding Martin Luther King, Jr., Day:

“Today, we honor the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his historic efforts to advance the fundamental American ideals of liberty and justice for all. As the Department of Labor observes Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, we remember Dr. King’s words: ‘Whatever your life’s work is, do it well.’”