U.S.A.:Growing jobs and manufacturing in Wisconsin, protecting union members, record low unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities, and more

U.S. Department of Labor February 28, 2020 Workforce Development in Milwaukee U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to highlight workforce development and economic opportunity during a visit to Rockwell Automation. Secretary Scalia toured the company's new manufacturing line and met with veteran candidates from the company's Academy of Advanced Manufacturing workforce training program. He also participated in a roundtable discussion with local business and community leaders, and visited the Milwaukee Job Corps Center to meet with students and staff. Protecting Union Members The Department's Office of Labor-Management Standards announced significant increases in the number of indictments and criminal investigations in fiscal year 2019 along with a drop in the number of days it takes OLMS to resolve union officer election complaints. Pro-Growth Policies = Thriving Communities In Madison, Wisconsin, Secretary Scalia addressed business leaders at the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Business Day. He challenged attendees to join the Department in working to close the skills gap and bring more American workers off the sidelines. During his remarks and at a manufacturing roundtable that followed, Secretary Scalia discussed how the President's policies on deregulation, tax cuts, fair trade agreements, and workforce development are growing the economy and creating more opportunities for workers. Black Lung Benefits Reforms The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs announced reforms to the self-insurance process for coal mine operators to better support the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. Strengthening the Economy Secretary Scalia discussed the President's efforts to strengthen the economy, including reducing burdensome regulations, creating jobs, and closing the skills gap through training programs that are preparing Americans for the jobs of the future on a panel with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Funds Recovered A former pension fund trustee was ordered to pay $462,049 in restitution for embezzling from an employee benefits plan. America Saves During America Saves Week 2020, check out these five tips on how people with disabilities can achieve their financial goals. Protecting Workers An initiative to reduce amputations has been extended to the manufacturing industry in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Safety Violations OSHA has fined a Delaware rail car tank cleaning and repair facility $371,276 for several safety and health hazards. Back Pay Recovered A South Carolina company operating a Holiday Inn has paid $58,233 in back wages and damages to 55 workers to resolve overtime and recordkeeping violations. Whistleblower Compensated OSHA has ordered a Connecticut commercial motor carrier to compensate a whistleblower who raised safety concerns. STAT OF THE WEEK Record Low Unemployment The annual unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities dropped to a record low of 7.3% in 2019, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT New Tools for Federal Contractors The Department's Office of Federal Contractor Compliance launched the Contractor Compliance Institute this week, a free interactive learning platform that provides tools and courses for federal contractors to learn more about their equal employment opportunity obligations. Questions? Contac