AI principles for America’s workers

We’ve announced a far-reaching set of principles that provide employers and artificial intelligence developers with guidance on designing and implementing AI technologies in ways that enhance job quality and protect workers' rights.

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su joined Ambassador Katherine Tai and Deputy Assistant to the President Erika Moritsugu to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. At the event, Acting Secretary Su discussed department efforts to uplift AA and NHPI voices across the country.

Acting Secretary Su addressed the AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention this week, highlighting how the Biden-Harris administration’s historic investments in infrastructure have created good jobs around the country. She discussed Labor Department regulations that have improved working conditions and enforcement actions that are holding employers accountable and recovering money for workers – and she credited unions for their efforts to expand worker power and advocate for better working conditions.

Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the contributions of the nation’s disabled workers and showcases supportive, inclusive policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. This week we announced the theme to NDEAM 2024.

We’re making $75 million in grants available to support skills development, including:

• Up to $40 million for organizations to expand local work-based learning opportunities, job training and career pathways for underserved youth
• Approximately $35 million to prepare workers for infrastructure jobs created by the Biden-Harris administration’s “Investing in America” agenda

Women often put the needs of their families and jobs before their own, sometimes at the cost of their health. During National Women’s Health Week, our Employee Benefits Security Administration shared guidance on how women can use job-based health plans to take charge of their health.

Infrastructure Week is providing an opportunity to highlight how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is unlocking economic opportunity, creating good-paying jobs, boosting domestic manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and growing the economy from the middle out and the bottom up.

A Philadelphia-area home care employer must pay $1 million in back wages, damages and penalties after denying 159 workers their full wages.

Three United Employee Benefit Fund service providers must restore $883,333 to the fund and pay $176,666 in penalties for violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

We’ve collected data on business ownership, self-employment and entrepreneurship among people with disabilities.

The department’s procurement practices have earned an “A” for the 15th year in a row on the Small Business Administration’s procurement scorecard.

We'll be in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky from May 20-22 to share information on federal benefits for coal miners disabled by black lung disease, and their families and survivors.

Approximately 1 in 5 Americans experience some form of mental health condition each year. Here are some of the ways we’re supporting efforts to foster a mental health-friendly work culture.

• Our mental health webpage has resources for employers, workers, colleagues and more
• The Newport News YouthBuild’s holistic approach is setting the stage for career success and strong mental health for youth from underserved communities
• Job Corps centers around the country are hosting mental health events
• A new video describes job accommodations for people with mental health conditions
• One young lawyer explained how her mental health journey fuels her advocacy work

During AA and NHPI Heritage Month, we’ve been highlighting the amazing work that AA and NHPI staff at the department do every day in a video series.

• Raj Nayak, assistant secretary for policy, on making sure AA and NHPI communities can better access our resources
• Thea Lee from the Bureau of International Labor Affairs on protecting workers’ rights around the world

Getting ready to enjoy your weekend? Thank a union.
-@ActSecJulieSu

• AsAmNews: Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su wants American dream for all
• ABC News: Poultry enterprise in California to pay $4.8M after employing children to work with sharp knives
• Huff Post: Cleaning Company Fined Nearly $650,000 After Hiring Kids To Clean Slaughterhouses
• Axios: Why women in the U.S. are less satisfied with their jobs than men