Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

LABOR SECRETARY REICH HONORS EMPLOYERS FOR LEADERSHIP IN DEVELOPING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE, INCREASING NATION'S PRODUCTIVITYWed., Sept. 13, 1995

For more information call: 202/219-8743.

Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich tomorrow will honor nine federal contractors and public interest organizations for their leadership in creating use of affirmative action programs and equal employment practices to ensure a diverse and productive workforce.

Former Congressman Augustus Hawkins (D-California) is scheduled to speak at this award ceremony, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

Reich said, "Today's winners clearly demonstrate that affirmative action adds immeasurably to the profitability of our businesses, the well-being of our workers, and the productivity of our nation."

Xerox Corporation, of Stamford, Conn. received the Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award. Xerox was honored for its emphasis on identifying and developing employees for managerial ranks and for its demonstrated succession planning which has used the skills of minorities and women at all levels. Xerox employs nearly 47,000 workers nationwide.

The company was also recognized for its work and family life programs which have attracted and retained minorities and women in key positions. In addition, Xerox has supported community groups and educational systems, and has a strong vendor program that supports minority- and women-owned businesses.

This year's Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award winners are: CBS, Inc., New York; Seattle First National Bank, Seattle; The Law Company, Wichita, Kan;, Mobil Corporation, Fairfax, Va. and the Atlanta Regional Liaison Group, Atlanta, Ga.

Exemplary Public Interest Contributions (EPIC) Award winners are: Disabled American Veterans, Washington, D.C.; Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Washington, DC; and National Center for Disability Services, New York, N.Y.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of OFCCP, Shirley J. Wilcher said, "OFCCP will continue the agency's proud tradition of meeting its responsibilities with vigor and vision into the next century."

Wilcher said OFCCP is committed to strengthening partnerships with the business community, academia, labor, community action groups and others to open the doors of opportunity for the nation's workers.

Information about the creative programs designed and used by today's winners will be shared with others so that the programs can be duplicated and tailored to meet employer demands and employee needs.

The annual recognition program has been coordinated by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs since l983. OFCCP is responsible for enforcing Executive Order 11246 and other laws that prohibit discrimination by federal contractors and subcontractors based on race, ethnic background, religion, gender, disability and veteran status.

Today's EVE and EPIC Award winners are:

Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award

CBS, INC., New York, N.Y., is recognized for its extraordinary efforts in achieving broad-based minority and female representation and for its executive development programs and overall employment programs that support affirmative action and diversity. CBS was cited for its history of employing a large number of women and minorities for professional and technical jobs in the newsroom during the past two decades. CBS employs 64,000 nationwide.

MOBIL CORPORATION, Fairfax, Va., the nation's second largest oil company, employs 58,000 individuals worldwide. It is being recognized for its many programs that support affirmative action and equal employment opportunity, for its career and management development programs, and its work-and family-life programs.

SEATTLE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, Seattle, Wash., is being recognized both for a pilot program that addresses the needs of Native Americans in the state and a long-term employment and education program for high school students.

THE LAW COMPANY, Wichita, Kan., a construction company with 135 employees, is being recognized for its outreach efforts to joint-venture and subcontract with minority and disadvantaged vendors, and for providing free technical and legal assistance to nonprofit organizations.

ATLANTA REGIONAL LIAISON GROUP (ARLG), founded in 1989, has a membership of 40 companies. The group has strengthened relationships with OFCCP and contractors through a public education program which keeps members informed about various issues and concerns. Since its founding, ARLG has coordinated conferences on diversity in the workplace, glass ceiling issues, and training and support of senior citizens.

Exemplary Public Interest Contributions (EPIC) Award

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, Washington, D.C., promotes employment and training opportunities to help disabled veterans find gainful employment. The DAV's field office staff has 250 national service officers. Through its work, the DAV has assisted more than 220,000 disabled veterans. The DAV has more than l.2 million members and has offices in every state, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, Washington, D.C., is being recognized for its major role in promoting nondiscrimination through its efforts to gain legislation protecting the rights of women and minorities. The organization was cited for serving as a watch dog over programs and regulations that prohibit discrimination and for its paramount efforts in the establishment of today's civil rights laws and regulations.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISABILITY SERVICES, New York, N.Y., a nonprofit facility, is being recognized for its variety of training programs for individuals with disabilities. Between 85-90 percent of individuals who complete the center's training programs are offered permanent jobs within 90 days. In addition, individuals who take NCDS training programs have been successful in increasing average income from $55 to $224 per week. The NCDS, through its Industry-Labor Council, works with companies who together employ more than 650,000 workers nationwide. Through its placement initiative in New York City, 10,000 jobs were created for individuals with disabilities.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.