OSEC News Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the 27th Secretary of Labor, R. Alexander Acosta, submitted his resignation to President Donald J. Trump, effective Friday, July 19, 2019.

Secretary Acosta's resignation letter is attached.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the June 2019 Employment Situation report:

“The June jobs report surpassed expectations adding 224,000 jobs to the economy, totaling 5.6 million jobs created since January 2017.  

“This report included other good news as wages increased at or above 3% year over year for 11 straight months.  Wage growth for production and non-supervisory workers increased 3.4% over the past 12 months.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the May 2019 Employment Situation report:

"May's job report added 75,000 jobs. We seek to continue job growth by opening more opportunities through policies like USMCA moving forward.

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

“On Memorial Day, Americans pause to honor and remember the courage, dedication, and patriotism of those who gave their lives to defend our nation in their service. We are eternally grateful for their ultimate sacrifice. Because of their courageous actions in battle, we are blessed with cherished freedoms that will forever be passed on from generation to generation.”

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced current Deputy Chief of Staff and Acting Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration Molly Conway has been named Chief of Staff effective June 1, 2019.

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Labor today was joined by the White House's Office of Science and Technology, the Chief Information Officer Council, and seven federal departments at the Department's headquarters in Washington, D.C. for the 2019 DOL Tech Day, which highlights emerging technology used by the federal government.

WASHINGTON, DC  - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the upcoming resignation of Chief of Staff Nicholas Geale effective May 31, 2019.

"I want to thank the dedicated and professional staff of the Department of Labor for helping to do so much good work for our nation," said Geale. "I am very excited to spend time with my new family and take on the next challenges of our journey."

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the April 2019 Employment Situation report:

“Today’s jobs report announced a 3.6% unemployment rate, the lowest unemployment rate since 1969. 

“America’s economy added 263,000 jobs in April and a net 16,000 additional upward adjustment in February and March. This brings the total to 5.4 million jobs added since January 2017.  

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Cheryl Marie Stanton was sworn-in as the Administrator of the Department's Wage and Hour Division.

"I welcome and congratulate Cheryl Stanton as she officially assumes the position of Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "Cheryl brings with her a distinguished career including prior public service as Executive Director of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce."

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Women's Bureau Director Patricia G. Greene will be returning to the private sector effective April 26, 2019.

"For a year and a half as Director of the Women's Bureau, Dr. Patti Greene has led the Women's Bureau mission to support America's working women, and ensure that they have access to good, family-sustaining jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "We are grateful for her service, and wish her success in her future endeavors."

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that Judith S. Boggs has been assigned to chair the Department's Benefits Review Board. Boggs assignment comes upon the departure of Betty Jean Hall, who retired as board chair on March 31, 2019. Prior to this appointment, Boggs served as a member of the Benefits Review Board (BRB) since 2004, and on the Administrative Review Board from 2002 to 2004.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the March 2019 Employment Situation report:

"The March jobs report exceeded expectations with 196,000 new jobs created. Adding upward revisions of 14,000 jobs from the past two months, means that more than 5.1 million jobs have been created since January 2017.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a new pilot program for discretionary suspensions and debarments to ensure accountability and protect the federal government from doing business with those who engage in inappropriate or illegal conduct.

Discretionary suspensions and debarments make individuals or organizations ineligible for federal contracting and transactions with the federal government typically for up to 12 months for a suspension and up to three years for a debarment.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today was joined by Americans from around the nation to discuss pathways for those exiting the justice system to reenter the workforce.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and Mr. Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, Minister of Administrative Development, Labor, and Social Affairs of Qatar, signed a memorandum of understanding today recognizing the value of cooperation and knowledge-sharing for strengthening protection for workers.

WASHINGTON, DC - Earlier this year, President Trump signed the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 into law, which included the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act (OPEN Government Data Act). The OPEN Government Data Act, among other things, directs the head of each agency to "designate a nonpolitical appointee employee in the agency as the Chief Data Officer of the agency." Today, the U.S. Department of Labor created a Chief Data Officer (CDO) position and established its Data Board.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor released the following statement regarding President Trump's fiscal year 2020 Budget. The President's Budget supports American workers by funding investments in proven programs that lead to family-sustaining jobs, makes critical investments in worker protection programs, supports our nation's veterans, and reforms or eliminates ineffective or duplicative programs.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the February 2019 Employment Situation report:

"At 3.4% year-over-year, wage gains hit their highest mark since April 2009.  The year-over-year average hourly earnings growth surpassing 3.0% for the seventh straight month is good news for America's workers.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would make more than a million more American workers eligible for overtime.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding Women's History Month:

"Women's History Month is a celebration of women who succeed in every corner of the American economy. The Department of Labor is especially honored to have the first woman member of the President's Cabinet, Frances Perkins.

"As we commemorate 100 years of women's suffrage, we recognize the women who are making history today by breaking barriers and thriving in leadership roles throughout our nation."