The Unemployment Insurance (UI) system has served and continues to serve as a vital support system for families experiencing extended joblessness during the recession and current recovery. Now with the economy showing signs of strong, stable growth, including 26 straight months of private sector job gains, the Obama Administration is continuing its efforts to turn [...]
Singing the Praises of Nashville Job Clubs
May 4, 2012 By
Nashville may be best known for its country music stars like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, but it’s also a town with strong community bonds. I spent some time in the Music City this week meeting with local organizations that are utilizing community partnerships to get Nashvillians back to work. Such partnerships have played an [...]
Protecting Vulnerable Workers on the Job in Chicago
May 3, 2012 By
I felt a sense of justice when the court recently issued a default judgment against Skokie Maid for more than $ 500,000 in unpaid wages and damages for 75 workers the company had misclassified as independent contractors. From an investigation standpoint, this was a tough case. The employer was not cooperative and was adamant from [...]
My First Job: Why Summer Jobs+ is Important for Our Youth
May 2, 2012 By
Mark Ayers Inducted into Labor Hall of Honor
May 2, 2012 By
Secretary Solis inducts Mark Ayers into the Labor Hall of Honor during Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO National Legislative Conference. Saturday was Workers Memorial Day. Earlier last week, I had the honor of attending the memorial service for New York’s fallen construction workers. Sitting there with my labor family, I couldn’t help but remember [...]
MSHA Phases Out SR-100 Breathing Apparatus to Protect Miners
May 1, 2012 By
Self-contained self-rescuer, CSE SR-100 The mining environment presents unique challenges for the men and women who work underground. In the event of a mine emergency, miners must react quickly, and one of the first things they are trained to do is activate their breathing apparatus, or self-contained self-rescuer. Underground coal miners are required to always [...]
Women’s Bureau Director Gives Farewell Note of Gratitude
May 1, 2012 By
After more than two years at the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, it has come time for me to say goodbye. It is only in this country that a humble Puerto Rican girl who grew up in Harlem’s public housing can realize her aspirations of becoming an attorney, never imagining that she would later serve [...]
VETS, Helping Vets, Helping Vets
April 30, 2012 By
Navy veteran Glen Williams of Illinois has a passion for helping his fellow veterans and especially those who are disabled veterans, like himself. But when he found himself out of work, he turned to the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) for assistance. After researching the federal job hiring process and struggling [...]