United States Department of Labor update

U.S. Department of Labor August 7, 2020 +1.8 Million Jobs Payroll employment increased by 1.8 million in July, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. USMCA Means Manufacturing Jobs U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia joined President Donald Trump at a Whirlpool washing machine plant in Clyde, Ohio, where they discussed how Administration policies, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, have created an environment for companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. Protecting American Workers Secretary Scalia joined President Trump for the signing of an Executive Order that takes steps to prevent American workers from being displaced by foreign workers. Memorandum of Agreement The Labor Department has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, under which they will share information about immigrant and nonimmigrant petition records and data contained within the Office of Foreign Labor Certification’s labor certification and labor condition application databases. The agreement will help the Department investigate potential fraud and abuse in the H-1B temporary worker visa program. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Worker Safety Tips OSHA released a poster with 10 tips to help keep automotive service workers safe from the coronavirus. Supporting Nursing Mothers The Department has signed an agreement with Bank of America implementing a companywide program for nursing mothers after an investigation found the employer failed to provide reasonable break time and a space free from intrusion for an employee in Arizona. Grants Awarded The Department has awarded nearly $102.5 million in grants to 47 states and Puerto Rico through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. Consent Judgment The Department secured a $3 million consent judgment against a residential drywall company based in Phoenix for overtime and recordkeeping violations. Compliance Assistance The Wage and Hour Division announced a series of webinars in September regarding pay requirements for federal and federally funded construction and services contracts. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Storm Cleanup Safety OSHA has resources to help keep workers safe before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.