U.S. Department of Labor:update

 

U.S. Department of Labor

March 11, 2022

Davis-Bacon update proposed after 40 years For the first time in 40 years, we’re proposing comprehensive updates to the Davis-Bacon Act, which would speed up prevailing wage updates, improve efficiency and ensure prevailing wage rates keep up with actual wages. Updating these regulations will ensure workers on federal projects are being paid fairly, and help contractors recruit and retain skilled workers as we rebuild America. Report: Stifling competition hurts workers A new Treasury report found that corporate concentration and anti-competitive practices – such as requiring noncompete agreements and misclassifying employees as independent contractors – have stifled wages for workers and reduced their power in the marketplace. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh joined a White House roundtable this week to discuss the report’s findings with workers who have experienced anticompetitive barriers firsthand.  Read the report Watch the roundtable Read the New York Times article on the report A crypto-caution for 401(k) plan fiduciaries Cryptocurrency has gained popularity and notoriety, but the market’s development is still uncertain. Our new guidance on 401(k) plan investments in cryptocurrencies warns fiduciaries about potential risks to the retirement savings of America's workers and their families. Thea Lee in the DRC Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs Thea Lee met with President Felix Tshisekedi and others last week to discuss strengthening and enforcing workers’ rights, especially in the minerals sector. It was the first visit by a high-level Department of Labor official to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in nearly 20 years.  Creating good infrastructure and transportation jobs Secretary Walsh and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg this week announced a partnership to promote the creation of good infrastructure and transportation jobs with a focus on equitable workforce development using funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Department of Labor is also partnering with the Trucking Alliance to promote apprenticeship as a pathway to lucrative driving jobs.  Read about the Labor-Transportation partnership Read about the Trucking Alliance partnership Workers Owed Wages In 2021, we recovered more than $230 million for more than 190,000 workers. Yet thousands of dollars remained unclaimed because employees changed jobs, moved or changed their name. This tool can help us find them.  Partnering to protect workers We’re strengthening our partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division to protect workers from employer collusion, ensure compliance with labor laws, and promote competitive labor markets and worker mobility. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT COVID protections OSHA launched an initiative at hospitals and skilled nursing care facilities with COVID-19 patients to protect healthcare workers and control the spread of the virus and future variants.  Misclassification resolved A Pennsylvania home healthcare staffing agency must pay $4.5 million in back wages and damages after misclassifying some workers as independent contractors.  Safety ruling A federal judge has ruled that one of New Jersey’s most flagrant OSHA violators, who continually puts workers at risk of serious injuries, must pay $2 million in penalties.  Grant awarded We’ve awarded $3.5 million to help establish a hub that will improve services and outcomes for jobseekers and employers.  Safety citations OSHA fined a New Jersey auto parts seller $1.2 million for 33 workplace safety and health violations following a worker’s serious hand injury. Mine safety A federal district court judge issued an injunction to prevent a Missouri mine operator and its owner from stopping federal inspectors from completing workplace safety inspections.   #WomenInConstruction Apprenticeship training set one woman on a path to a rewarding construction job that lets her provide for her family.  WORKING FOR YOU Helping a Navy corpsman land an in-demand civilian career U.S. Navy corpsman Domingo Sosa wasn’t sure where to start when he decided to transition into the civilian workforce. Our Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot Program set him on the path to a rewarding IT career.   Grant Opportunities Funding opportunities will support efforts to connect America’s workers with good jobs We’re offering millions in grants to improve employment opportunities and working conditions around the country, including:  $55 million to reduce barriers to employment by providing training and employment services to people before they’re released from state correctional facilities, or county or local jails. $85 million to provide skills training, employment services, educational support and mentorship to young people involved in the criminal justice system. $10 million to expand workforce development services for out-of-school time organizations.