DOL Seal - Link to DOL Home Page Photos representing the workforce - Digital Imagery© copyright 2001 PhotoDisc, Inc.
in the 21st Century
www.dol.gov
  
January 16, 2009
Find It!

More Resources
In Focus
Milestones achieved for America's workers under Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao
Secretary Elaine L. Chao

WASHINGTON, January 15 — Over the past 8 years, the Department of Labor, under the leadership of Secretary Elaine L. Chao, has made vast improvements in the everyday lives of America's workers.

America's workers are:

  • Thanked for serving our nation as returning veterans in the National Guard and reserve, and are now protected by the first-ever regulations to help employers comply with U.S.E.R.R.A.
  • Safer now than ever before with the current workplace injury and illness rate at its lowest level in history having dropped 21% since 2002.
  • Ensured their proper day's pay with $1.25 billion recovered in back wages.
  • Protected from union embezzlement with $91 million in stolen union funds restored.
  • Guaranteed fair pay with overtime rules modernized for the first time in 50 years.

All of this was made possible without increasing spending, achieving a cost savings in DOL's discretionary budget of 15% in real terms since 2001.

Highlights

Latest Numbers
 
-0.7%

 

Dec 2008
 
 
7.2%

 

Dec 2008
 
 
-524,000(p)

 

Dec 2008
 
 
+$0.05(p)

 

Dec 2008
 
 
-1.9%(p)

 

Dec 2008
 
 
+0.7%

 

3rd Qtr 2008
 
 
+1.3%

 

3rd Qtr 2008
 
 
-4.2%

 

Dec 2008
 
 
524,000

 

January 10, 2009
 
 
518,500

 

January 10, 2009
 
 
$6.55
 
Current
 
(p) preliminary; (c) corrected

 Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao