WASHINGTON – Fewer workers are dying from hazards where the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has focused its enforcement resources. Preliminary agency data show a decrease in fatalities the agency is mandated to investigate, including significant reductions in fatal injuries from trench collapses and falls, two of the leading causes of death among construction industry workers.“These numbers are promising evidence that stronger enforcement and collaboration with labor and management, driven by the Biden-Harris administration’s worker-centered approach, is saving lives,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas Parker. “Most striking is the improvement in areas…
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Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Sarah Morgenthau traveled to Warsaw, Poland October 23-25 to expand upon our strong and resilient bilateral trade partnership. Bilateral trade between the United States and Poland has increased significantly in the last decade, reaching $24.2 billion in 2023, the highest in history. Special Representative Morgenthau represented the United States at the U.S.-Poland-Ukraine Veterans Reintegration Forum, which showcased the countries’ trilateral cooperation. The conference brought together leaders in government and the business community to share tools and best practices to assist veterans of Russia’s war of aggression in returning to the workforce. Breakout sessions…
WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on International Association of Machinists members voting to approve a new contract proposal from the Boeing Company.“President Biden and I congratulate the 33,000 machinists at the Boeing Company on their historic new collective bargaining agreement. This agreement, with its record wage increases, retirement improvements, guaranteed productivity bonuses, and commitments by the company to keep production in Puget Sound, demonstrates what is possible when workers have a real voice on the job. “When I asked the parties to come back to the table, I got to see first-hand the leadership of…
NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor recovered a total of $877,834 in back wages and fringe benefits from three Long Island contractors for 36 employees who were underpaid for their work on two New York projects funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development conducted initial investigations of Discover Electric Inc., EMG Industrial Chimney Inc. and QNCC Electrical Contracting Corp., finding each violated the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. The three subcontractors subsequently appealed the city’s findings.After HUD concurred with the original findings, the contractors still refused to pay and HUD referred the findings to…
The European Commission has adopted the mid-term review of the programming of NDICI-Global Europe for Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, the Americas and the Caribbean, the external dimension of Erasmus+, and for the thematic programmes on Human Rights and Democracy, Civil Society Organisations, Peace, Stability and Conflict prevention, and Global Challenges. This mid-term review, which was scheduled to take place at halfway of the implementation of the NDICI-Global Europe instrument, amends the 2021-2027 programmes adopted in 2021, notably to establish country allocations for 2025-2027 and update priority areas for cooperation where necessary. The mid-term review covered 85 country, 1 multi-country,…
Employer: Crystal Enterprises Inc.Employer address: 10837 Lanham Severn Road, Glenn Dale, MD 20769Investigation findings: A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation determined that Crystal Enterprises Inc. failed to pay the required prevailing wage and health and welfare benefits to employees working at a U.S. Air Force training center dining facility on Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, a violation of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act. By doing so, the employer also paid workers lower rates of pay for holidays and sick leave and vacation time used. Recoveries: $109,127 in back wages for 55 employees.Quote: “Government contracts come with stipulations to ensure workers…
Inspections resulted in 24 significant and substantial violations, 1 imminent danger orderWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections in September 2024 at eight mines in Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin and issued 112 violations. The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Of the 112 violations MSHA identified in September 2024, 24 were evaluated by inspectors as significant and substantial. The agency began conducting impact…
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today recognized more than 800 employers for their commitment to employing and supporting the nation’s service members by presenting them with the 2024 Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Medallion Award.Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training James D. Rodriguez announced these 838 U.S. employers during an online ceremony. The event also featured award recipients who shared their views on the importance of hiring, retaining and professionally developing the nation’s veterans and the valuable contributions they make. “The U.S. Department of Labor congratulates the newest recipients…
American Rescue Plan program has provided over $69B to restore once endangered plansWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Employee Benefits Security Administration has issued a report illustrating how the American Rescue Plan has protected the financially distressed pension plans of more than 1.2 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families, ensuring they receive the retirement benefits they earned. The department’s report on the impact of the Butch Lewis Emergency Pension Relief Act finds that, as of October 2024, more than $69 billion in Special Financial Assistance has been approved for 98 multiemployer pension plans whose participants faced reductions…
The findings reveal that global efforts to ensure universal education have hit a concerning plateau, with the out-school population reducing by only 1 percent in nearly 10 years. Progress and challenges “Education is the key driver of prosperous, inclusive and peaceful societies,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “Yet, quality education risks being the privilege of a few if we do not take serious measures to give every child across the globe the same chance to learn and thrive,” she added. While there has been progress in educational enrollment – with 110 million children entering school since the adoption of the…