U.S. Department of Labor, update

 

U.S. Department of Labor

July 7, 2022

Protecting pensions for America’s unionized workers Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh joined President Biden this week in Cleveland, OH to announce the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s final rule implementing the American Rescue Plan’s Special Financial Assistance Program. This program represents the most substantial policy in almost 50 years to protect the millions of workers, retirees and their families served by our nation's multiemployer pension plans.  Read the White House factsheet  Read Secretary Walsh’s blog post  $140M in Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy and Training grants We’re making $140 million in grant funding available to states to provide jobs, employment training and services for America’s unemployed and underemployed workers.  Union jobs are good jobs In Mississippi last week, Secretary Walsh discussed the barriers that keep workers in the south from organizing unions and emphasized the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to supporting workers’ right to collectively bargain. Read tweets from the secretary’s trip.   Employment assistance for transitioning service members Our Veterans’ Employment and Training Service is partnering with eight additional organizations to deliver employment assistance to service members and their spouses transitioning out of the military.  Read about the VETS partnerships  See how VETS helps transitioning service members  Reflecting on 50 years of the workers’ compensation system Join us for a panel discussion with leading workers’ compensation experts to reflect on the 50-year legacy of the  National Commission. View it live at 10 a.m. on July 11.   Employers: share your labor-management partnership stories Thousands of employers across the country work creatively and cooperatively with unions that represent their employees to resolve complex workplace issues through labor-management partnerships. We want to hear from you about how having a collective bargaining relationship with your employees has benefitted your business. Share your story here.  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Coronavirus protections OSHA is extending its National Emphasis Program to protect high-risk workers from coronavirus.   Timesheet app updated Want a quick and easy way to track your pay and work hours? Download the DOL-Timesheet App – now available for free on Android and Apple devices! Youth services series We’re hosting a series of dialogues to inform organizations about youth services in the workforce system.   USMCA at two The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is impacting workers around the world, including in Silao, Mexico, where workers recently elected a new independent union at the GM auto plant.  Wages restored Following a court order, an Indianapolis security company has paid $370,918 in back wages and damages to 215 workers.   New fines for repeat violator OSHA has proposed $315,953 in fines for an Ohio vehicle parts manufacturer that continues to expose workers to dangerous machine hazards.