$3.5M to support cleanup and recovery in Maryland following the Key Bridge tragedy

We’ve awarded an initial $3.5 million in emergency dislocated worker grant funding to support cleanup and recovery activities after a container ship struck Maryland's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, causing the bridge to collapse.

Multi-department statement calls for fairness, equality, justice and compliance in AI use

We issued a joint statement with federal partners addressing enforcement efforts to protect the public from bias in automated systems and artificial intelligence. The statement calls for fairness, equality, justice and compliance as automated systems, including AI, become more common. We also emphasized that employers have a responsibility to develop and use automated systems in compliance with federal law.

Nearly $70M in funding available for workforce development

We announced new funding opportunities this week, making nearly $70 million available to help connect workers with good jobs, including:

• $49.2 million to provide career training services to workers in the Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta and Northern Border regions
• $19 million to support employment training services for older workers

Protecting auto workers’ freedom of association

Workers’ rights issues at two auto parts facilities in Mexico have been resolved under the Rapid Response Mechanism of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Among other remediation actions, free and fair union elections have now been held at:

• The Teklas Automotive Mexico plant in Aguascalientes
• The Draxton Mexico plant in Guanajuato

ODEP is on LinkedIn!

Our Office of Disability Employment Policy has launched a LinkedIn showcase page. Follow them for updates on disability employment policies, practices and tools.

Community colleges grants will expand access to training and skill development for key industries

We’ve awarded $65 million in grants to help 16 colleges in 14 states expand their training capacity. Grant-funded programs will help prepare students for lucrative jobs with career development opportunities based on the Good Jobs Principles developed by the departments of Labor and Commerce.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

🌲$1.8M in back wages

A Seattle producer of wreaths and seasonal greens for major retailers must pay $1.8 million to nearly 700 workers for overtime and H-2B violations.

Opioid crisis support

We provided $2.9 million to support employment and training services in Pennsylvania communities affected by the opioid crisis.

Money for mortuary workers

We recovered more than $462,000 for 66 Oklahoma mortuary workers whose employer denied them overtime.

Mining machinery hazards

In 2023, 16 miners died in incidents caused by a malfunction, improperly maintained or damaged machinery. Learn about best practices to keep miners safe.

Honoring those we’ve lost

Join us in-person at department headquarters in Washington, D.C., or online for a Workers Memorial Day ceremony on April 25 at 1 p.m. ET.

#PaidLeave

Women’s Bureau Deputy Director Gayle Goldin shares her story about advocating for paid leave in Rhode Island after having to take unpaid leave for a health issue and the birth of her son.

Health coverage for families

Here are five reasons why COBRA is a lifeline for workers and their families facing the challenges of job loss, reduced hours or certain life changes.

DATA SPOTLIGHT

303K jobs added in March, unemployment remains below 4%

Strong and steady job growth continued in March with 303,000 added jobs and the unemployment rate at 3.8%, continuing the longest streak with unemployment below 4% in over 50 years. “This is a strong jobs report for workers,” said Acting Secretary Su. “Since President Biden took office, more than 15 million jobs have been created, and we’re seeing those gains across industries — from construction which gained 39,000 jobs this month to local education which added 18,000 jobs in March — and recovered to pre-pandemic levels.”

• Read the March employment situation report
• Read a statement by Acting Secretary Su on the jobs report

OCCUPATIONAL HIGHLIGHT

🚀 🔭 Find Your Place in Space

Interested in space? Here are 10 occupations with above-average projected growth and good pay within the space sector – and beyond. And they don’t all require advanced degrees.

POST OF THE WEEK

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held in August to share ideas on keeping workers safe, but we have resources to keep you #SafeAndSoundAtWork year-round!
Visit our website to find them and learn more about 2024's event.👇https://lnkd.in/eT8shkT
-OSHA LinkedIn

IN THE NEWS

• KTNV: Las Vegas teacher hopes her story from substitute to full-time teacher encourages others
• The weekend on MSNBC: Jobs Report: 303,000 Jobs Added in March
• Spectrum News NY1: U.S. Economy Adds 303K+ Jobs in March, Beating Expectations
• CalMatters: Feds say LA poultry company used child labor for risky jobs then hid its product
• TIME: Tipping Is Out of Control. It’s Also a Serious Labor Issue