OSEC News Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella issued the following statement on the August 2019 Employment Situation report:

"America's economy continued to show strength in August. The 3.7% unemployment rate marks the eighteenth straight month the unemployment rate has been at or below 4%. Unemployment rates for African-Americans set a new record low at 5.5% and Hispanic-Americans matched a record low at 4.2%.

"Since January of 2017 more than 5.8 million jobs have been created including the 130,000 jobs created in August.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in states affected by Hurricane Dorian.

"The U.S. Department of Labor is actively engaged in Administration-wide efforts to help those impacted by Hurricane Dorian," said Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella. "As Americans from across the country rally to help each other, the Department of Labor is committed to supporting recovery efforts."

U.S. Department of Labor actions taken regarding Hurricane Dorian include the following:

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor released the following update regarding Senior Policy Advisor Leif Olson of the Wage and Hour Division.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Compliance Initiatives (OCI) announced plans for a nationwide, multi-agency compliance assistance outreach effort focused on providing job creators and workers with access to high-quality information about their obligations and rights under the law.

Through the autumn season, Department agencies will host in-person trainings, webinars and other events to promote greater understanding of federal labor laws and regulations by workers and job creators.

WASHINGTON, DC – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella released the following statement regarding Labor Day:

“Today, we mark the 125th Anniversary of Labor Day, a Federal holiday that was created out of appreciation and respect for the work done by the men and women of this country.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella hosted an event commemorating the 125th anniversary of Labor Day on the front steps of the Frances Perkins Building. The Acting Secretary, joined by long-serving members of the Department, unveiled a banner honoring the historic anniversary that will be prominently displayed on the Frances Perkins Building. Acting Secretary Pizzella shared the Department of Labor's history and celebrated the Department of Labor's service to the American workforce.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Hall of Honor ceremony, which will include the inductions of former U.S. Senator Robert Griffin and former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Howard Jenkins, Jr. based on their work on the landmark Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA), will take place on Thursday, September 26 at 2:00 p.m. EDT, at the Department's Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella issued the following statement on the July 2019 Employment Situation report:

“July’s Employment Situation Report demonstrates the steady and consistent growth of the American economy. The July unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7%, marking the seventeenth straight month in which the unemployment rate is at or below 4%.

WASHINGTON, DC – In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the landmark Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA), the U.S. Department of Labor today announced that former U.S. Senator Robert Griffin and former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Howard Jenkins, Jr. will be the newest inductees to the Department's Hall of Honor in this fall.

WASHINGTON, DC – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella joined President Donald J. Trump, members of the Cabinet and senior officials at a White House event today recognizing the first anniversary of the Administration’s Pledge to America’s Workers.

WASHINGTON, DC – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella today swore in John P. Pallasch as the Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) during a ceremony at the Frances Perkins Building.

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Labor announced the following personnel changes effective today, July 22, 2019.

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.