NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an agreement with Rite Aid Corp. to implement a program to better protect employees, including front-end customer service staff, against hazards related to bloodborne pathogens at all its approximately 370 stores in New Jersey and New York.

PORT ARTHUR, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against a Florida security contractor that terminated a worker after they raised concerns in a work group chat on a secure messaging app about safe firearm storage and coronavirus-related workplace hazards, including a lack of physical distancing and other potential exposure risks.

AUSTIN, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against an Austin luxury car dealer for terminating an employee who warned managers and other co-workers about potential coronavirus hazards in the workplace.

FARGO, ND – A North Dakota seed production company has committed to changing its safety procedures and training following a worker’s severe and life-altering injury in 2020.

WASHINGTON, DC – Because of the observance of the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release its monthly Employment Situation Report on Thursday, July 2, at 8:30 a.m. EDT. The BLS release coincides with the Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims release, which occurs each Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in states affected by Hurricane Barry.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the resignation of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Public Affairs Jeffrey Grappone, effective January 3, 2019.

"Jeff Grappone came to the Department of Labor in 2017 as an Assistant Secretary and helped to build and enhance the communication of the Department's work on behalf of America's workforce," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "Assistant Secretary Grappone is highly talented and will ably lead communications at the Senate Republican Conference."

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta welcomed Katsunobu Kato, Japan’s Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, to the U.S. Department of Labor today to discuss bilateral cooperation and sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) that promotes further collaboration between the United States and Japan on labor and employment issues. Secretary Acosta and Minister Kato also discussed Japan’s labor priorities in advance of Japan assuming the G20 presidency.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor invites news organizations that wish to participate in press lock-ups to renew or request credentials. The new credentials will be valid beginning in August 2018.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta for a mine safety tour of ICG Beckley, LLC’s Pocahontas Beckley Mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Officials from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), which is an agency within the Department of Labor, also participated in the mine safety tour.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the September 2017 Employment Situation report:

“Even as parts of our nation recover from multiple devastating hurricanes, September’s jobs report reflects the resilience of the American economy.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month throughout October. The Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) previously announced the month-long theme is “Inclusion Drives Innovation.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta will attend the G7 Labor and Employment Ministerial meeting taking place in Turin, Italy, today and tomorrow, Sept. 29 and 30.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor, in cooperation with the state of Georgia and local partners, is setting aside funding, making grants to assess workforce needs, and providing additional regulatory flexibilities in response to Hurricane Irma. U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta has directed the Department to assist the residents and businesses in affected areas, and the Department will continue to work cooperatively with Georgia to assess needs as they develop.

Labor Department activities to assist Georgia include:

WASHINGTON, DC – As with Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, the U.S. Department of Labor, in cooperation with the territories and local partners, is setting aside funding, making grants to assess workforce needs, and providing additional regulatory flexibilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in response to Hurricane Maria. U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta has directed the Department to assist the residents and businesses in affected areas, and the Department will continue to work cooperatively with the territories to assess needs as they develop.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has initially committed up to $40 million in Disaster Dislocated Worker Grant funding to Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist in disaster response efforts after Hurricane Irma. These grants were first announced on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. The amount of total funding announced today may increase as the needs and impacts on state and local partners are assessed following the hurricane.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor, in cooperation with state and local partners, is setting aside funding and will be making grants to assess workforce needs in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Florida, and other states in response to Hurricane Irma. The Department will continue to work cooperatively with states and territories to assess needs as they develop and respond accordingly. U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta has directed the Department to assist the residents and businesses in affected areas.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the August 2017 Employment Situation report:

“This month’s jobs report reflects the continued economic strength and optimism spreading across the United States. Since January, 1.2 million jobs have been added to the economy.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta joined U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, and other cabinet officials, in Texas to survey the affected areas, consult with state and local officials, and offer support and gratitude to first responders.