Promoting Labor Diplomacy

The Department of Labor , represented by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs' Office of International Relations , has a long-term institutional relationship with the Department of State to carry out the U.S. Government's labor diplomacy function. Over the years, the Department of Labor has worked closely with the State Department to ensure the inclusion of labor and employment issues in U.S. foreign relations. Employment issues and labor organizations play a prominent role in the domestic politics, policies, and economies in many countries and it is important that the government stay informed on developments in this area.

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Joint Award for Excellence in Labor Diplomacy

The Joint Award for Excellence in Labor Diplomacy, first awarded in 1999, is made for advancing U.S. international labor policy objectives and for outstanding contributions in reporting, analysis, advocacy and policy recommendations on labor developments and issues. A panel composed equally of DOL and DOS representatives select the winner and runner-up, and their choices are confirmed by the panel co-chairs, currently the Associate Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs and the State Department's Special Representative for International Labor Affairs. The award certificate, signed by the Secretaries of Labor and State, is officially presented to the winner at Department of State's annual awards ceremony.

Past Award Recipients

2012
Peter T. Shea, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Cairo, Egypt
Nicole G. Johnson, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam

2011
Roy A. Perrin, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Beijing, China
Elizabeth M. Hoffman, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Bogota, Colombia

2010
Kurt W. Aufderheide, Political/Labor Officer, U.S. Consulate General, Guangzhou, China
John C. Aller, Regional Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Bridgetown, Barbados

2009
Lucy M. Chang, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Anne L. Chick, International Relations Officer, U.S. Mission, Geneva, Switzerland

2008
Andrew N. Lentz, Labor Reporting Officer, U.S. Embassy, Muscat, Oman
Bruce J. Levine, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Beijing, China

2007
Zachary Harkenrider, Labor Reporting Officer, U.S. Embassy, Niamey, Niger
Michael Heath, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand

2006
Jennifer Spande, Labor Reporting Officer, U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Randolph Fleitman, Regional Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya

2005
Troy Fitrell, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Joseph Novak, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines

2004
Erik Hall, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Jean Bonilla, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, London, United Kingdom

2003
John Chamberlin, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Beijing, China
Tobias Glucksman, Labor Reporting Officer, U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2002
Mark Mittelhauser, Labor Officer, U.S. Consulate General, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Robert Hagen, Labor Officer, U.S. Mission, Geneva, Switzerland

2001
Will Owen, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Bruce Levine, Labor Reporting Officer, U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2000
Terry Daru, Regional Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Bridgetown, Barbados
Mary Curtin, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Tunis, Tunisia

1999
William Heidt, Labor Reporting Officer, U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
John Ritchie, Labor Officer, U.S. Embassy, Mexico City, Mexico

Contact

Patrick Del Vecchio
(202) 693-4791
DelVecchio.Patrick@dol.gov