Labor Dept.

05/08/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today released $101 million to help states provide career training, job search and relocation assistance to U.S. workers who lose their jobs for trade-related reasons.

"A revitalized Trade Adjustment Assistance program is an important element of our nation's economic recovery," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.    » read more »

05/07/2009 -- WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today, through a national online discussion with stakeholder groups, the general public and the news media, will outline the president's fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget for the U.S. Department of Labor, which begins to restore worker protection programs and revitalize employment opportunities for the American workforce.

"The president's budget launches new and innovative ways to promote economic recovery and the competitiveness of our nation's workers," said Secretary Solis. "At the same time, the budget reflects our effort to invest in what works and cut or reduce programs that do not. The budget is transparent, and we are accountable to the American public."    » read more »

05/06/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $130,063,620 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Minnesota. Minnesota qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits. Minnesota's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.dol.gov/recovery/.    » read more »

04/28/2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today made the following statement on equal pay:

"One of the most fundamental principles on which our nation was founded is the belief that we are all created equal.

"Yet today, women earn just 78 cents for every dollar a man earns. Women of color earn even less. Countless women are losing thousands of dollars in salary, income and retirement savings over the course of a lifetime. As a result, women often must work longer or harder to make ends meet.

"As the secretary of labor, I am committed to ensuring that the women in our country and around the world have a voice and advocate.    » read more »

Commemorates Those Lost on Workers Memorial Day

April 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from Change to Win Executive Director Chris Chafe on Workers Memorial Day, April 28, 2009.

“Each year, thousands of workers are killed on the job and millions more sustain workplace injuries. According to the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than four million workers were injured on the job and nearly 6,000 were killed by injuries due to job-site hazards in 2007 alone. Thousands more died of job-related diseases.    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- To commemorate Earth Day, the op-ed below on green jobs and energy independence by Secretaries Steven Chu and Hilda Solis ran in the following papers yesterday and today:

Austin American-Statesman
Buffalo News
Denver Post
Montgomery Advertiser
Omaha World Herald
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Building the American Clean Energy Economy
By Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis

Today, Americans will join with people around the world in celebrating Earth Day, raising awareness about the plight of our natural resources and taking action to preserve our planet for future generations.    » read more »

April 21, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: William E. Spriggs, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Labor; and Rebecca M. Blank, Under Secretary for Economics Affairs, Department of Commerce.

President Obama said, "It gives me great confidence that these talented individuals have chosen to serve our country in my administration. Their dedication and commitment will make them valued assets to our team, and I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years."

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals today:

William E. Spriggs, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Labor    » read more »

April 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Christine M. Griffin, Deputy Director of Office of Personnel Management; Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, United States Department of Agriculture; Rajiv Shah, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, United States Department of Agriculture; Michael Nacht, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Global Strategic Affairs), Department of Defense; Mercedes Márquez, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Raymond M. Jefferson, Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training, Department of Labor; Robert S.    » read more »

April 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Daniel B. Poneman, Deputy Secretary, Department of Energy; Fred P. Hochberg, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States; Francisco "Frank" J. Sánchez, Under Secretary for International Trade, Department of Commerce; Miriam E. Sapiro, Deputy Trade Representative; Judith A. McHale, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Department of State; Philip J. "P.J." Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Department of State; Bonnie D.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC, April 8, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,409,877 grant to assist approximately 815 workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closures at 11 companies across three regions in southern Missouri. These include the Ozark region, the southeast region and the south central region.

Workers affected include those employed in industries such as distribution, manufacturing and telecommunications. Companies include: Cargill Value Added Meats, EDCO Group Inc. (doing business as Healthport), McQueary Brothers Drug Co., Noranda Aluminum Inc., Nordyne, Paul Mueller Co., Petit Jean Poultry Inc., Rapco/Major Custom Cable Inc., Thorngate Ltd., Tracker Marine and Westgate Resorts.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2009 -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement in commemoration of Cesar E. Chavez's birthday:

"I would like to pay a special tribute to the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez. He dedicated his life to championing the rights of farm laborers and all working people, and he did it through nonviolence.

"Chavez was a second-generation American. He was born March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Ariz., and raised during the Great Depression.

"The lessons he learned during his time inspired him to dedicate his life to improving the lives of other less fortunate even than himself.

"I am proud to celebrate his memory and contributions to our country."

Source: Dept. of Labor

ROME, ITALY, March 30, 2009 — U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the American automotive industry:

"I am committed to revitalizing the American auto industry and helping manufacturing communities create new jobs to rebuild local economies. For hardest hit workers and communities, we will do everything we can to provide relief and paths to re-employment.

"The plan the president laid out today appropriately focuses on protecting the workers and communities feeling the effects of poor decisions made by the corporate leadership of the auto companies. Another goal is to achieve a sustainable auto industry in the U.S. for the future.    » read more »

Seasonally Adjusted Data

March 26, 2009 -- In the week ending March 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 652,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 644,000. The 4-week moving average was 649,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 650,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.2 percent for the week ending March 14, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 4.1 percent.    » read more »

03/25/2009 -- WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement:

"I take the issues raised by the Government Accountability Office investigation regarding past Wage and Hour Division enforcement very seriously.

"As secretary of labor, I am committed to ensuring that every worker is paid at least the minimum wage, that those who work overtime are properly compensated, that child labor laws are strictly enforced and that every worker is provided a safe and healthful environment.    » read more »

March 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: Dr. Steven E. Koonin, Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy; David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, Department of Energy; Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, State Department; Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Department of Labor; Jonathan S. Adelstein, Administrator for the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture; Timothy W. Manning, Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; and Priscilla E.    » read more »