Honoring the dead, fighting for the living

Honoring the legacy of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire

On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City. In 18 minutes, it killed 146 workers – mostly young immigrant women – who were trapped inside. The event galvanized worker safety advocates and labor rights activists across the country. This week, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su spoke at the dedication of a new memorial to commemorate the blaze and the lives that were lost. "Today, the Triangle factory fire workers take their rightful place in labor history," she said. "In the wake of horror, our country has made important strides to protect workers’ rights. But we have much more to do. Let’s not wait for the next tragedy to do what needs to be done."

Acting Secretary Su meets with workers to discuss challenges and protections

In New York this week, Acting Secretary Su met with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, United Farm Workers and the Restaurant Opportunities Center. She heard from workers about the challenges they face on the job, and how department grants have helped support safety and health training. See posts from Acting Secretary Su's trip.

Economy strong as job growth continues

The U.S. economy added 336,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.8%, continuing the longest stretch below 4% unemployment since the 1960s. With 61,000 new jobs, employment in food services and drinking places has returned to its pre-pandemic level.

Advanced manufacturing workforce sprint will help build tomorrow's skilled workforce

We're collaborating with the White House on an Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Sprint, which aims to build a diverse, skilled pipeline of workers for good jobs, including union jobs, in advanced manufacturing. As part of this effort, we're working to expand Registered Apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing, including clean energy, semiconductors, supply chain, aerospace, automotive, biotechnology and other high-demand industries.

Judge to Starbucks: Turn over your documents

A federal court in Seattle has ruled that Starbucks must comply with a subpoena seeking documents for an Office of Labor-Management Standards investigation into the company's response to worker organizing campaigns.

NDEAM 2023: Advancing Access and Equity

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we honor the skills of workers with disabilities who contribute to our nation’s workplaces and economy. We also recommit ourselves to ensuring they have equal opportunity to prepare for and succeed in employment.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

New Mega Construction participants

We've designated 12 additional federally funded construction projects for participation in the Mega Construction Project Program.

Candy maker explosion citations

A Pennsylvania candy maker failed to evacuate employees after some reported smelling gas before a March 2023 explosion that killed seven workers, OSHA found.

Safety careers

During Fire Prevention Week, explore seven growing occupations that help protect our communities and habitats by preventing and fighting fires.

Misclassification suit

We're suing a Chicago security company to recover $473,212 in back wages and damages after investigators found the employer misclassified guards and violated wage laws.

Parity for health coverage

Fifteen years after the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was enacted, we've made progress – but work remains.

Helping domestic violence survivors

Domestic violence touches 17 million people in the U.S. each year, impacting their physical and mental health, safety, ability to work and economic security. Policy solutions can help.

Manufacturing careers

Over the coming decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects thousands of openings each year in occupations related to manufacturing.

Better job site culture

Join us online Oct. 19 for a scenario-based webinar on how to respond to and deter harassment and discrimination on construction sites.

HERITAGE HIGHLIGHT

Safety and equity

We can honor and support Hispanic workers' fight for fair and equitable treatment by improving workplace safety and health.

POST OF THE WEEK

Beware of the *wage thief* this Halloween! 👻🎃
Learn how to protect your workers' rights when wage theft lurks in plain sight. 👀 https://bit.ly/3ZFxO8W
#WorkersRights #WageTheft #HalloweenCostume
-@WHD_DOL

IN THE NEWS