Labor Dept.

March 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Barack Obama announced that Jon Wellinghoff, currently serving as Acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), will be designated as Chairman.    » read more »

03/19/2009 -- WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the premium reduction under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA):

"America's workers and employers are the most productive in the world. With the labor and capital markets under financial stress, the Obama Administration is working to provide relief to American families. In February, the President signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create jobs, provide training opportunities for new jobs, extend unemployment benefits and help relieve the burden of health benefits.    » read more »

03/16/2009 -- WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the withdrawal of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for occupational exposure to food flavorings containing diacetyl.

The withdrawal will facilitate the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) timely development of a standard to protect workers from bronchiolitis obliterans, a serious and potentially fatal lung disease associated with such an exposure.    » read more »

March 6, 2009 -- "Today we learned that our economy lost another 651,000 jobs in February, bringing the unemployment rate to 8.1 percent. 4.4 million Americans have now lost their jobs since this recession began last year, and there are now nearly 3 million Americans who have been unemployed for six months or more.

This data does not just represent abstract statistics. Rather it illustrates the struggles of millions of Americans who do not know how they will raise their families, or pay their bills and mortgages. They are the central focus of this Administration’s economic policies, and why we are moving swiftly and aggressively to jumpstart job creation and grow our economy.    » read more »

March 06, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced to states and outlying areas their allotment levels for Labor Department-administered employment and training programs funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The workforce investment system will use the $3,514,500,000 to help Americans get back to work through the national network of One-Stop Career Centers.    » read more »

March 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Brian Kennedy, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Labor; Dana Gresham, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs, Department of Transportation; Peter Kovar, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Sherburne "Shere" Abbott, Nominee for Associate Director of Environment, Office of Science and Technology Policy.    » read more »

02/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $523,935 grant to assist approximately 130 workers affected by layoffs at JD Lumber Inc. in Priest River, Idaho; Sterling Mining Co. in Kellogg, Idaho; and U.S. Silver Corp. in Wallace, Idaho.

"The layoffs in Idaho's natural resource industry have had significant impact on the local economy," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Douglas F. Small. "Today's grant will provide necessary services and allow affected workers to return to work faster."    » read more »

02/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $500,000 grant to assist approximately 275 workers affected by layoffs at International Paper in Bastrop, La.

"Today's grant will aid affected Louisianians by providing training and employment services to help prepare them for new careers," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Douglas F. Small.

Awarded to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, this grant will provide affected workers with access to training and employment-related services. Trade-eligible workers will have access to services not covered under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. These services include skills assessment, counseling, case management, job search and job placement assistance and follow-up.    » read more »

02/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $880,286 grant to assist approximately 165 workers affected by layoffs at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn.

"Today's grant will give affected workers access to re-employment services, allowing them to return to work faster," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Douglas F. Small.

Awarded to the Connecticut Department of Labor and administered by the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, the grant will provide employment and training-related assistance to affected workers.

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, owners of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, announced layoffs on Sept. 30, 2008, because of the gaming industry's downturn. Those layoffs occurred on Oct. 17, 2008.    » read more »

02/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,199,132 grant to assist approximately 574 workers affected by layoffs from automotive industry suppliers across Missouri and in nearby Kansas.

"Today's grant will allow affected Missourians to receive skills assessment, training and job search assistance to transition into new occupations within the local area," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.    » read more »

Recovery Act also extends Emergency Unemployment Compensation

02/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a weekly increase in unemployment compensation, as provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enacted on Feb. 17.

The new temporary Federal Additional Compensation program will provide a $25 weekly increase in unemployment compensation for eligible workers.& These extra benefits are 100 percent federally-funded.    » read more »

February 24, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - SEIU President Andy Stern issued the following statement following today's bipartisan vote by the U.S. Senate to confirm Hilda Solis' as the next Secretary of Labor.

"As the daughter of two immigrant workers and union members who met in a citizenship class, today's vote to confirm Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor proves the American Dream is still alive. Working men and women now have a Department of Labor they can count on to stand up and fight for them because Secretary Solis personally understands the challenges workers face in a global economy. For Secretary Solis this is not just another job, but the culmination of a lifetime of action serving as a voice for people who work.    » read more »

February 24, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Change to Win chair Anna Burger issued the following statement regarding today’s confirmation of Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Cali., for the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

"In the midst of this economic crisis – when thousands of jobs are lost every day – it is crucial to make the economy work for working people again. Americans need a plan to help put families back to work, back in their homes, and back on the path of prosperity. In addition to bold economic recovery plan, America’s workers need a strong Department of Labor.    » read more »

Federal stimulus money will increase weekly benefits by $25 for remainder of 2009

February 20, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, continuing his efforts to strengthen the economy and help Floridians affected by the current economic downturn, signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to increase weekly unemployment benefits by $25 per week, bringing $345 million to Florida during the 2009 calendar year. By signing the agreement today, the increased benefits take effect starting Sunday, February 22, 2009. The Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act is a result of federal funds authorized through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.    » read more »

Seasonally Adjusted Data

February 12, 2009 -- In the week ending Feb. 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 623,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 631,000. The 4-week moving average was 607,500, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week's revised average of 583,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending Jan. 31, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.    » read more »