U.S.A.:Honoring the Rosies, visiting a WV coal mine, meatpacking citation issued, job openings increase, and more

U.S. Department of Labor September 11, 2020 Labor Day in Wisconsin Secretary Scalia traveled to Wisconsin with Vice President Mike Pence on Labor Day, where they discussed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Honoring the Rosies Women who supported America’s war effort during World War II as riveters, welders and other industrial occupations, collectively referred to as “Rosies,” were inducted into the Department’s Labor Hall of Honor this week. Secretary Scalia Visits West Virginia Mine Secretary Scalia visited a mine in West Virginia, where he discussed mine safety, economic recovery and the importance of the coal mining industry to the American economy. Meatpacking Citation Issued OSHA cited Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. for failing to protect workers from exposure to the coronavirus at its processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. COVID-19 UPDATES AND RESOURCES Release: OSHA cited the Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System for failing to protect workers from exposure to the coronavirus PSAs: Video and audio PSAs on coronavirus-related paid leave, proper pay, and agricultural worker safety IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Day of Remembrance The Department recognized September 11 by remembering the lives lost in 2001. #StandDown4Safety Join the 7th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, Sept. 14-18, to stop workplace falls and save lives. Back Wages A Florida construction contractor has paid $124,075 in back wages and fringe benefits to 20 workers for violations on a federal construction contract. USMCA Grants The Department will award two $10 million grants to strengthen workers’ rights and increase awareness of labor reforms in Mexico. Indo-Pacific Grants A $4 million grant will fund efforts to strengthen respect for women working in rural sectors of the Indo-Pacific. OSHA Data Released OSHA has released work-related injury and illness data electronically submitted by employers for 2016, 2017 and 2018. STAT OF THE WEEK Job Openings Increase Job openings increased to 6.6 million at the end of July, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released this week. The number of job openings for July was greater than at the end of 2019, while layoffs and discharges for the month of July were lower than the 2019 average. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Compliance Assistance Summit On Sept. 14, an online summit, “Advancing Compliance Solutions for Today’s Workplace, Two Years and Counting,” will showcase Department efforts to help employers comply with federal labor laws and inform workers about their rights. LABOR DAY 2020 Read these Labor Day op-eds from Department leaders: Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia: As we continue to fight the virus, don’t forget about jobs Deputy Secretary Patrick Pizzella: U.S. Department of Labor leads the way on ‘Buy American’ MSHA Assistant Secretary David Zatezalo: Serving America’s miners Labor Day and every day OASAM Assistant Secretary Bryan Slater: Labor embraced enterprisewide shared services, now seeing real savings VETS Assistant Secretary John Lowry: A salute to vets and American workers Women’s Bureau Director Laurie Todd-Smith: This Labor Day, we celebrate women’s workplace success and honor the ‘Rosies’ of World War II EBSA Acting Assistant Secretary Jeanne Klinefelter Wilson: Retirement Plans Need to Keep Their Promises. We Make Sure They Do OASP Deputy Assistant Secretary Jonathan Wolfson: Point of View: Cutting red tape helps American workers ODEP Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Sheehy: New federal program being tested in Kansas helps injured workers return to work OSHA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Loren Sweatt: OSHA is protecting workers during pandemic