| Workplace fatalities decrease, wages protected, veteransâ employers honored. |
U.S. Department of Labor | | November 7, 2024 |
| OSHA encouraged by decline in worker deaths Fewer workers are dying from hazards where the departmentâs Occupational Safety and Health Administration has focused its enforcement resources. Preliminary OSHA data shows a decrease in fatalities the agency is mandated to investigate, including significant reductions in fatal injuries from trench collapses and falls, two of the leading causes of death among construction industry workers. In FY 2024, federal OSHA investigated 826 worker deaths, an 11 percent reduction from 928 in the previous year. Excluding Covid-related deaths, this is the lowest number of worker fatalities OSHA has been mandated to investigate since FY 2017. |
| Su applauds success of Boeing Machinistsâ vote: Collective bargaining works Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued a statement of congratulations after the International Association of Machinists voted to accept a contract proposed by the Boeing Company that includes wage increases, improved retirement benefits and more. âIt is one of many historic wins for working people that are reshaping and strengthening American industries,â she said. |
| Protecting workers' hard-earned pensions A new U.S. Department of Labor report shows the American Rescue Plan has protected the financially distressed pension plans of more than 1.2 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families so far, ensuring they receive the retirement benefits they earned. As of October 2024, more than $69 billion has been approved for 98 multiemployer pension plans, including the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and Participating Food Industry Employers Tri-State Pension Plan. Acting Secretary Su joined President Biden in Philadelphia last week to announce special financial assistance to the UFCW plan, which has more than 29,000 participants. Read how the distressed pension assistance program is protecting benefits for more than 1.2 million people. View the UFCW event with President Biden and Acting Secretary Su |
| Harvest has been dangerous and deadly for Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska grain workers A Missouri bin operatorâs lack of proper rescue equipment contributed to the grain engulfment death of a worker in Hamilton. Three MFA Inc. employees were removing clumps of corn dust in May when one worker became engulfed, and a co-worker trapped during a rescue attempt until first responders saved him. In October, Missouri was added to a National Emphasis Program that includes industry employers in Kansas and Nebraska where avoidable grain bin incidents have led to three deaths, 13 amputations and 36 hospitalizations between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2023. |
| Investigation recovers $877,834 owed to 36 workers of three New York federal contractors New York City officials, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and our Wage and Hour Division collaborated to hold Discover Electric Inc., EMG Industrial Chimney Inc. and QNCC Electrical Contracting Corp. accountable for failing to pay full wages and benefits required by federal regulations for projects funded fully or partially with federal funds. All three employers agreed to future compliance. |
| A unique apprenticeship supports good jobs and a clean energy future At the Community College of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, Acting Secretary Su met students in the nationâs first Electric Vehicle Automotive Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program. Funded in part with a Department of Labor grant, the program is one of many Biden-Harris administration investments supporting a clean energy transition and building pathways to good jobs for workers in communities historically left behind. |
| 838 employers recognized for putting veteransâ skills and talents to work Acting Secretary Su and Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training James D. Rodriguez announced that 838 employers received HIRE Vets Medallions in 2024 during an online ceremony last week. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans program recognizes employers who support, hire and retain veterans in workplaces throughout the nation. Since the programâs inception, employers have hired nearly 370,000 veterans, including more than 71,000 veterans hired by 2024âs medallion honorees in the past two years. Read about the more than 800 employers were honored for their commitment to employing the nation's service members. View the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Awards ceremony |
| Lawsuit seeks to protect Pennsylvania workerâs right to raise safety concerns The departmentâs Office of the Solicitor has sued a York manufacturer, alleging the company wrongly fired an employee who refused to use a ladder unsafely and asked to use a forklift to move shelved stock. An OSHA whistleblower investigation found Red Lion Controls Inc.âs decision to terminate the worker violated their federal protections to voice concerns about unsafe workplace practices. The lawsuit alleges Red Lion Controls illegally retaliated against the worker and seeks the employeeâs reinstatement and back wages and damages. |
| Continued low unemployment October was a difficult month for many people across the country, including those impacted by hurricanes in the Southeast. Despite the severe weather and major strike activity, the unemployment rate last month remained low at 4.1 percent, with job gains in health care (+52K) and government (+40K). |
| Silica is a hazard in many industries. Once released into the air as dust, respirable #silica can lead to potentially fatal illnesses such as silicosis and lung cancer. Learn how to protect workers from silica exposure with our fact sheet. ⤵ï¸Â
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