January 13, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on Congressman George Miller's retirement announcement [01/13/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding Rep. George Miller's announcement to retire at the end of his 20th term in the House of Representatives:

January 10, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement of Labor Secretary Perez on December employment numbers [01/10/2014]

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the December 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"The U.S. economy closed out 2013 by adding 74,000 jobs, bringing the 2013 total to nearly 2.2 million new jobs. With 87,000 new private-sector jobs in December, that makes 8.2 million jobs created by the private sector over the last 46 straight months. The December unemployment rate fell to 6.7 percent.

January 7, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on extending unemployment benefits [01/07/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding the Senate's procedural vote invoking cloture on a three-month extension of Emergency Unemployment Compensation:

"Today, the U.S. Senate threw a lifeline that 1.3 million Americans desperately need, agreeing to move forward on legislation to extend emergency unemployment benefits that had expired on Dec. 28.

December 12, 2013

OPA News Release: African-American literature, authors central to Labor Department's Books that Shaped Work in America project [12/12/2013]

WASHINGTON — From Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," African-American literature and authors are represented in the titles of fiction, nonfiction, plays and poetry included on the initial roll of Books that Shaped Work in America.

December 6, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement of Labor Secretary Perez on November employment numbers [12/06/2013]

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the November 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"The American economy continues its broad and steady job growth heading into the New Year, adding 203,000 jobs in November. The unemployment rate dropped to 7.0 percent, and American manufacturing remained strong with the addition of 27,000 new jobs.

November 20, 2013

OPA News Release: From Ben Franklin to Betty Friedan, from "Of Mice and Men" to "The Devil Wears Prada," U.S. Department of Labor launches Books that Shaped Work in America [11/20/2013]

WASHINGTON — From Ben Franklin's "Poor Richard's Improved" to Sonia Sotomayor's "My Beloved World," nearly 100 titles of fiction, nonfiction, plays and poetry begin the initial roll of Books that Shaped Work in America—a Centennial project of the U.S. Department of Labor in partnership with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

November 8, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement of Labor Secretary Perez on October employment numbers [11/08/2013]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the October 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"The American economy is resilient. Today's jobs report demonstrates continued steady growth, with the addition of 212,000 total private sector jobs in October. The unemployment rate, which fell in September to a nearly-five year low of 7.2 percent, remains essentially unchanged at 7.3 percent, while American manufacturers added 19,000 jobs in the month of October.

November 7, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on the US Senate's passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act [11/07/2013]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by the U.S. Senate:

"The arc of the moral universe bent a little more toward justice today. Protecting the workplace rights of LGBT workers is a moral imperative that is long overdue. We still have a long road ahead of us, but today's historic vote moves us one step closer to a nation that truly embodies its founding principles of equality, opportunity and fairness for all."

October 23, 2013

OPA News Release: Update on economic data being released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics [10/23/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today issued the following statement about previously scheduled economic data:

"Because of the Oct. 1-16 lapse in appropriations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has revised its calendar for releases. The updated schedule includes:

October 22, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement of Labor Secretary Perez on September employment numbers [10/22/2013]

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the September 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

October 17, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement on September Employment Situation report and other Bureau of Labor Statistics releases
[10/17/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today issued the following statement about previously scheduled economic data:

"Because of the Oct. 1-16 lapse in appropriations, the previously scheduled economic data releases, compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, have been rescheduled:

October 3, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement on release of September employment numbers [10/03/2013]

WASHINGTON — The Department of Labor issued the following statement about the September 2013 Employment Situation report:

October 3, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement on release of September employment numbers [10/03/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today issued the following statement about previously scheduled economic data:

"Due to the lapse in appropriations, the following releases, compiled by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, will not be issued as scheduled:

September 6, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement of Labor Secretary Perez on August employment numbers [09/06/2013]

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the August 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"This morning's report tells a story of an economy slowly and steadily continuing to heal, with 169,000 new jobs added in August. We have now had 42 straight months of private-sector job growth, with nearly 7.5 million private-sector jobs created over that time. The unemployment rate (7.3 percent) continues to remain stable and has now been below 8 percent for twelve consecutive months.

August 22, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement by Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on fatal occupational injuries in 2012 [08/22/2013]

WASHINGTON — Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released today show a reduction in the number of fatal work injuries in 2012 compared with 2011. Last year, 4,383 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 4,693 fatal work injuries in 2011. Based on preliminary counts, the rate of fatal workplace injuries in 2012 was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, down from a rate of 3.5 per 100,000 in 2011. In response, Secretary of Labor Thomas E.

August 2, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement of Labor Secretary Tom Perez on July employment numbers [08/02/2013]

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Tom Perez issued the following statement about the July 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

July 31, 2013

OPA News Release: Perez: Senate workforce investment bill will create opportunity, strengthen middle class [07/31/2013]

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Tom Perez today issued the following statement regarding Senate committee markup of the Workforce Investment Act of 2013:

"To create opportunity for the American people and ensure a better bargain for the middle class, we need strong partnerships to build a world-class workforce.

July 5, 2013

Statement of acting Labor Secretary Seth D. Harrison on June employment numbers

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris issued the following statement about the June 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"This morning's report reveals an economy continuing to recover at a promising rate. With the addition of 202,000 private sector jobs in June, that makes 7.2 million private sector jobs over the last 40 consecutive months of growth.

July 1, 2013

Benefits.gov goes mobile

WASHINGTON – Benefits.gov has launched a mobile compatible version of its website, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today. Benefits.gov, the official benefits website of the U.S. government, has enhanced its site for visitors using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The changes make it easier for the public to access government benefit and assistance program information anytime, anywhere.

June 7, 2013

Statement of acting Labor Secretary Seth D. Harris on May employment numbers

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris issued the following statement about the May 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"This morning's report offers more encouraging evidence that the U.S. economy continues to rebound at a steady, moderate rate – a total of 178,000 new private sector jobs in May. That makes 39 months in a row of growth – in just over three years, the economy has now generated just shy of 7 million jobs.