The DOL Newsletter - January 10, 2013: Solis Moves On; Migrant Act Anniversary; Worker Safety Challenge


DOL News Brief Subscribe \| Send Feedback \| PDF Version	January 10, 2013

Protections for Migrant Workers

Next week marks the 30th anniversary of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. This landmark legislation provides employment-related protections to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers and is administered and enforced by the department's Wage and Hour Division. The law requires that, among other things, every non-exempt farm labor contractor, agricultural employer, and agricultural association must disclose the terms and conditions of employment to each migrant worker in writing at the time of recruitment and to each seasonal worker when employment is offered, in writing if requested.

The law also says each worker must be paid the wages owed when due and provided with an itemized statement of earnings and deductions. Employers also must ensure that housing, if provided, complies with substantive federal and state safety and health standards, and that each vehicle, if transportation is provided, meets applicable federal and state safety standards, with each driver properly licensed.

• View the Centennial Video
• Learn More about the MSPA

Job Training and Fellowship

Job training, English classes and meals are some of the many services offered by the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and it's a place where immigrant communities have found a safe haven. Church leaders and Latino immigrants met with Secretary Solis at the Catholic Charities' facility in D.C. on Jan. 8 to discuss several issues, including jobs and the economy. Solis informed the group about the resources available at the department and urged them to enter job training programs. "Faith-based organizations like this one are playing such a critical role in putting people back to work," Solis said. "The partnerships you've fostered with small businesses in the area to put people back to work are a model for this community" and for our nation, Solis said to the Rev. Mario Dorsonville, vice president for Mission and division director of Refugee and Immigrant Services. The department provides funds to faith-based communities around the country to help unemployed people with job training and other critical employment services.

• View the Slideshow

Make a 401(k) Resolution

The beginning of the new year is a great time to take stock of your personal finances, and paying attention to the fees charged in your employer's 401(k) or similar savings plan is a good place to start, according to Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Phyllis C. Borzi. She discussed the issue with personal finance expert Ric Edelman on the Jan. 5 edition of his radio show. The department issued new rules last year that for the first time require fee disclosures to retirement plan participants with the intent that such transparency will help bring down savings costs. "We want employees to save more for retirement and to make sure that the savings they've accumulated, when they've done the right thing, aren't diluted by excessive fees," Borzi told listeners.

• Learn More About 401(k) Plan Fees
• Listen to the Radio Show

Welcome to the 113th Congress

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute held a swearing-in and welcome reception for a record number of Hispanic members of Congress on Jan 3. Secretary Solis was among the speakers, telling the members of the 113th Congress that the Labor Department will "help all working families across the country. And I know that President Obama is with us." The welcome reception, attended by about 600 people, took place at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Speakers included Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Time Warner Cable Irene Esteves; Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey; Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar; the outgoing CHCI chair, retired Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez of Texas, and the incoming CHCI chair, Rep. Ruben Hinojosa of Texas. Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attended. After his remarks, the vice president conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

• View the Slideshow

'Because' PSA Launched

The department's Campaign for Disability Employment has released a public service announcement titled "Because" encouraging youth with disabilities to pursue their dreams. The video features individuals with disabilities who are achieving their goals with the help of a mentor. "Many people who achieve success and have found satisfaction in their careers have done so because one person believed in them and urged them to set their expectations high," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy.

• Learn More About the CDE
• Read the News Release

Workforce Development in D.C.

As part of her ongoing efforts to support community organizations that focus on workforce development and training, Secretary Solis paid a visit this week to the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative. Founded in 1996, the CH/SFSC serves communities in the District of Columbia by providing family support services, workforce development, and youth violence prevention and intervention. During her visit, Solis heard from program participants who have received the necessary skills and training to finish their high school education and obtain job training skills. Solis also met with young adults who are now thriving because of the support and assurance they receive from the collaborative and its staff. CH/SFSC also provides technical assistance and training to community, local and national nonprofit organizations.

• View the Slideshow

Preventing Back-over Injuries

A series of informal stakeholder meetings to address and prevent vehicle back-over injuries and deaths were held this week by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The purpose of the meetings is to gather information from employers, workers, safety professionals and equipment manufacturers to evaluate back-over hazards across various industries. The meetings also aim to determine the effectiveness of new technology, training, best practices or other methods to protect workers from harm. About two dozen representatives from industry and worker groups participated in or observed the first meeting on Jan. 8. Earlier this year, OSHA published a request for information in the Federal Register on how workers get injured from back-over incidents and what solutions exist to prevent injury and death. In 2011, 79 workers were killed when vehicles or mobile equipment were backing up and crushed them against an object or rolled over them, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Read the News Release
• Learn About Back-over Hazards
• Participate in Meetings in Texas

Auto Jobs in Louisiana

More than 100 state and local officials, private-sector leaders and others gathered on Jan. 3 to celebrate the creation of 1,500 new jobs made possible by the announcement that Elio Motors has agreed to purchase a former General Motors plant near Shreveport, La. "Returning the property to productive use will yield significant economic benefits to the region and can serve as a model approach for other similarly situated communities across the country," the department's Jay Williams said. Williams, executive director of the department's Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, spoke at the event. The Shreveport plant was among the assets assigned to the RACER Trust, a private entity that was established by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to clean up and position for redevelopment properties and other facilities owned by the former General Motors Corp. before its 2009 bankruptcy.

Job Corps' Utah 'Cool School'

The Clearfield Job Corps Center in Clearfield, Utah, was selected as the "Cool School of The Week" by local television channel Fox-13. The TV station's morning show featured the school in eight segments and highlighted the school's cooking, welding, electrical and automotive programs. The center offers training in 17 trades for young people 16 to 24 years of age. Melissa Freigang, the center's director of admissions for business and community, said the center is similar to an applied technology college that helps students receive, maintain and keep a great job or career. The station's features reporter Big Budah profiled the Clearfield center on Dec. 12, 2012. The center has been recognized in past years by Big Budah, who has showcased the center as a premiere career technical training facility.

• View the Video

Weekly UI Claims

The department reported the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial Unemployment Insurance claims was 371,000 for the week ending Jan. 5, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week. The four-week moving average was 365,750, up 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 359,000.