Labor Day 2023 banner: Investing in America's Workers

At the Department of Labor, we're building a worker-centric economy from the bottom up and the middle out by leveraging federal investments to create good jobs, while protecting workers' rights, wages, health and safety, and supporting workers' rights to organize for better conditions. This Labor Day, we're celebrating workers by building an equitable, empowered workforce for all.

Scroll down to learn more about how we're delivering for workers under the Biden-Harris administration.

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By the Numbers. $4.8B+ recovered for workers and their families by our Wage and Hour Division, Employee Benefits Security Administration and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. $216M+ awarded in unemployment insurance Equity Grants to support historically marginalized workers. $354M+ in investments to develop, modernize and diversify Registered Apprenticeships. 1.1M+ construction workers across the country and territories impacted by updates to the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. 13.4M+ jobs added to the economy under the Biden-Harris Administration through July 2023. $4B+ invested in job training and employment services for America’s workers. $181B+ in federal investments that support job quality, equity and worker empowerment. $677M+ in back wages recovered for 433K+ workers – with $380M+ to workers in low-wage, high violation industries. $6B+ awarded in total grant funding. 316 new disability inclusive laws and executive orders across 47 states to enhance employment opportunities for workers with disabilities. 2,600+ workplaces inspected for heat stress hazards to better protect workers in increasingly high temperatures. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

High Road to the Middle Class

The "High Road to the Middle Class" map is a new, innovative tool to spotlight existing high road training programs that prepare America’s infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing workforce for good jobs.

The map is another way the Department of Labor is supporting high road partnerships in communities across the nation that bring together employers, labor unions, local workforce boards, community colleges, training providers and community organizations to jointly develop and implement the training programs we need in this historic moment of job creation.

See the High Road to the Middle Class Map >>

High Road to the Middle Class
Worker Organizing Resource and Knowledge (WORK) Center

Interested in joining a union? We're here to help.

Our updated Worker Organizing Resource and Knowledge (WORK) Center website is a one-stop shop for information and resources on unions and collective bargaining for workers, unions, policymakers and anyone interested in taking action to support worker organizing and successful labor-management collaboration.

Visit the WORK Center website >>

Learn more about the Know Your Organizing Rights Toolkit >>

Honoring the El Monte garment workers

In August 1995, 72 Thai garment workers were freed from forced labor in El Monte, California. The story sparked a national outcry and led to important labor reforms. In a few weeks, we'll induct them into our Labor Hall of Honor.

Read a blog on the El Monte case >>

Read Acting Secretary Su’s blog on what the El Monte case means for her >>

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New and Noteworthy

Proposed rule would restore and extend overtime protections for millions of workers

Proposed rule would restore and extend overtime protections for millions of workers

A notice of proposed rulemaking would restore and extend overtime protections to 3.6 million salaried workers. The proposed rule would guarantee overtime pay for most salaried workers earning less than $1,059 per week, about $55,000 per year.

Apprentice Trailblazer Initiative

Apprentice Trailblazer Initiative

This new apprenticeship opportunity builds on the Biden-Harris administration’s strategy to empower workers by promoting pathways to the middle class through this proven earn-as-you-learn model and advances our efforts to expand equitable access to good jobs for historically underserved communities.

Infrastructure investments and raising wage standards for construction workers

Infrastructure investments and raising wage standards for construction workers

A new rule updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts will ensure wages paid to workers on federally funded construction projects better reflect the realities of today’s labor market.

Proposed rule would reduce miners' exposure to respirable crystalline silica

Proposed rule would reduce miners' exposure to respirable crystalline silica

A proposed rule would increase protections for miners against occupational exposure to silica dust. The rule would ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries.

Mental health at work and beyond: eliminating lifesaving barriers to care

Mental health at work and beyond: eliminating lifesaving barriers to care

The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury proposed rules that would ensure that people seeking coverage for mental health and substance use disorder care can access treatment as easily as people seeking coverage for medical treatments.

Additional resources

Labor Rights Week

Labor Rights Week

All workers in the United States, regardless of where they're from, have the same right to a safe and healthful workplace and full payment of wages earned under federal law.

WATCH: Why we celebrate Labor Day

WATCH: Why we celebrate Labor Day

On Labor Day, we celebrate the workers and the vision and the effort that goes into securing that better future.

WATCH: What makes a good job?

WATCH: What makes a good job?

We asked Labor Department staff what makes a good job. Hear their answers, and their reflections on their first – or best – job ever.

WATCH: The history of Labor Day

WATCH: The history of Labor Day

Learn about the origin of the only federal holiday dedicated to honoring and recognizing America's workers.

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READ: How we're delivering for America's workers

Take a look at some of the announcements, regulatory enhancements and initiatives that are helping create pathways to the middle class and build an economy that works for all.

Labor Day 2023

Labor Day graphics and messages

Download graphics and see some of the messages we're sharing to celebrate and support workers.