U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR update

News: September 3, 2018   Honoring the American Worker   VIDEO: America’s Labor Day On Labor Day, we celebrate and honor the greatest worker in the world – the American worker. Watch to learn just a few of the ways that the Trump Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor are helping more Americans secure good, safe, family-sustaining jobs.   VIDEO: Expanding Apprenticeships To expand apprenticeship opportunities in America, President Donald J. Trump's Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion was formed in 2017 with representatives from business, labor, educational institutions, trade and industry groups, and government. Dr. Walter Bumphus, American Association of Community Colleges President and CEO, shares his experience working as a member of the President's Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, which submitted a strategy to the President to create more apprenticeships.   VIDEO: Investing in the American Workforce As a result of President Trump's pro-growth policies, job creators are investing in the workforce by providing opportunities for education and training that will help more Americans succeed in good, family-sustaining jobs. Business owner Jonathan Szucs shares how he is investing in his employees and his business.   VIDEO: Association Health Plans President Trump’s expansion of Association Health Plans (AHPs) helps millions of working Americans gain access to quality, affordable health insurance. Mary Beth Sewald of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce discusses how ‘mom and pops' and entrepreneurs can benefit from AHPs.   VIDEO: Prisoner Reentry into the Workforce Individuals, families, communities, and America's economy are better off when individuals successfully transition from incarceration into family-sustaining jobs. Jon Ponder, founder and CEO of HOPE for Prisoners, explains how President Trump's focus on this issue is opening doors.   VIDEO: Combating the Opioid Crisis The opioid crisis has devastated lives, families, and communities across the nation. The International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger and Director of Health and Safety Jim Brinkley share why combating the opioid crisis is critically important to firefighters. In 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor announced $22+ million in National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Demonstration Grant funding to address the opioid crisis.   Strengthening Compliance Assistance At the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association's 2018 Safety+ National Symposium in Nashville, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced the U.S. Department of Labor's new Office of Compliance Initiatives. This cross-agency effort complements the Department's enforcement activities by strengthening and innovating compliance assistance outreach. Part of this new initiative is the launch of worker.govand employer.gov, two websites to promote greater understanding of federal labor laws and regulations by workers and job creators.   Fostering Job Growth At the West Virginia Chamber's 2018 Business Summit, Secretary Acosta discussed how the Trump Administration is empowering job creators to grow the economy, expanding access to quality, affordable health coverage through Association Health Plans, and combating the opioid crisis.   In Case You Missed It Apprenticeship Finder Apprenticeship.gov launchedlast week with a new online tool that will allow job seekers to search for apprenticeships by city and state, and connect them with high-skilled, high-paying careers. New Opinion Letters To help provide greater clarity for American job creators and employees, the Wage and Hour Division has issued six new opinion letters. New Directives The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced three new directivesthis week to maximize the effectiveness of compliance assistance outreach. Worker.gov Launched Launched last week, Worker.gov provides a centralized base of information focused on federal worker protections. Employer.gov Launched Launched last week, Employer.gov provides job creators easy-to-understand information about their responsibilities under federal laws and regulations. Wages Recovered A San Antonio, Texas, restaurant has paid $208,642 to 69 workers to resolve labor law violations at four of its locations.   Stat of the Week Continuing Low Jobless Claims The 4-week average for initial jobless claims was the lowest in 48+ years last week.