United States Department of Labor,update

 

U.S. Department of Labor

April 30, 2021

Secretary Walsh and VP Harris will lead effort to empower workers Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh joined Vice President Kamala Harris as vice-chair of the newly established White House Task Force on Worker Organization and Empowerment. Walsh affirmed his belief in every worker’s right to unionize or collectively bargain. $15 minimum wage will lift families out of poverty Secretary Walsh met with workers to discuss President Biden’s Executive Order raising the minimum hourly wage to $15 for hundreds of thousands of workers under federal contracts. The action will promote government efficiency, lift people out of poverty and provide economic security to workers’ families. Secretary Walsh reflects on 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration Connecting with stakeholders, investing in America's workforce and strengthening worker protections were just a few of the highlights Secretary Walsh mentioned in a recent blog reflecting on the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration.  Workers Memorial Day The department recognized Workers Memorial Day on April 28 with a program honoring the workers who have lost their lives on the job and recommitting to our mission of protecting all workers. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT RETAIN grants Five state agencies have received $108 million in grants to continue and expand pilot projects that help newly injured and ill workers remain in the workforce. Enforcing COVID safety OSHA cited an Illinois warehouse for failing to implement safety measures after employees reported coronavirus symptoms. One employee died and 22 tested positive. Protecting essential workers The Essential Workers, Essential Protections initiative will ensure that workers know about the wage and hour laws that protect them, and how to contact us for help. Overtime enforcement The Wage and Hour Division recovered $3,852,968 in overtime back wages owed to 1,100 employees in 40 states by a major oil pipeline inspection company. Subcontractor compliance After a builder failed to ensure subcontractors’ compliance with labor laws, we recovered $500,851 for 68 workers at three Washington construction sites. WANTO grants $3.5 million is available for up to 10 grants to place more women in registered apprenticeships and nontraditional fields like manufacturing, cybersecurity and infrastructure. OSHA at 50 This week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration marked a half century of protecting workers. STAT OF THE WEEK 50 years of progress Workplace fatalities have decreased about 60% since OSHA opened its doors in 1971. The agency will continue working to improve safety and health conditions for all Americans. IN THE NEWS New York Times: Biden Forms Task Force to Explore Ways to Help Labor Good Luck America: Secretary Walsh on infrastructure and the American Jobs Plan UPCOMING EVENTS Essential Protections: Federal Labor Laws and Workplace Rights May 4, 2 p.m. ET Essential Protections: Federal Labor Laws and Workplace Rights May 5, 10 a.m. ET Essential Workers–Essential Protections: Denver Virtual Conference May 5, 1 p.m. ET Construction Industry – Multi-agency Information Session May 6, 10 a.m. ET Sold on Compliance: A Webinar for Retail Industry Employers May 6, 2 p.m. ET Find a complete list of upcoming events at dol.gov/events.