WASHINGTON – In 2015, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act to advance the effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect. The new law directs agencies to adjust their penalties for inflation each year using a much more straightforward method than previously available, and requires agencies to publish “catch up” rules this summer to make up for lost time since the last adjustments.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a challenge to the department’s Home Care Final Rule:

“The U.S. Department of Labor’s Home Care Final Rule is vital to the nearly two million workers who provide home care services to our loved ones who wish to remain in their homes and communities.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the May 2016 Employment Situation report released today:

“In May, the economy added 38,000 jobs. Despite job growth below expectations, the nation continues to recover from the Great Recession, with 75 consecutive months of uninterrupted private-sector job growth to the tune of 14.5 million jobs. The national unemployment rate in May inched downward to 4.7 percent.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding a lawsuit filed to stop the department from ensuring that retirement savers receive investment advice that is in their best interests.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez issued the following statement today regarding the ongoing labor dispute at Verizon:

"Today, I am pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement in principle on a four-year contract, resolving the open issues in the ongoing labor dispute between Verizon’s workers, unions, and management. The parties are now working to reduce the agreement to writing, after which the proposal will be submitted to CWA and IBEW union members for ratification.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today issued the following statement on provisions of H.R. 5286 that would roll back civil rights protections.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the April 2016 Employment Situation report released today:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement on Workers’ Memorial Day:

“Every day, millions of Americans leave their homes and report to jobs that provide for their families, strengthen our communities and grow our economy. Too many of them – on average, 13 workers a day – don’t make it back at the end of their shift. On Workers’ Memorial Day, we honor our fallen workers, and we renew our commitment to unwavering vigilance on workplace safety.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the March 2016 Employment Situation report released today:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement on today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is an important victory for public employees, for their right to have a voice at work, for their right to stand together and speak up for the things that matter to them, their families and their communities.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today released the president’s 2017 budget for the Department of Labor, which supports the president’s plan to train workers for the jobs of the future and bolster the economic and retirement security of working families.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement on the department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today on union membership in 2015:

“With today’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report, we are reminded again that the labor movement continues to be one of the most powerful forces for strengthening the middle class and providing economic stability, for members and non-members alike.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the December 2015 Employment Situation report released today:

“2015 ended with still more robust job creation: 292,000 jobs, making December the second best month of the year and bringing total 2015 job growth to 2.7 million. The longest streak of private-sector job growth on record continues, now at 70 straight months with 14.1 million new jobs over that time. The unemployment rate was unchanged from November, remaining at 5.0 percent.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the November 2015 Employment Situation report released today:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the October 2015 Employment Situation report released today:

"The nation continues to bounce back from our worst economic crisis in generations. October was the most robust month of job growth in 2015, with total nonfarm employment increasing by 271,000.

WASHINGTON — Apprenticeship is a proven path for workers into the middle class and an effective strategy for businesses to train for the skills they need. For decades, the skilled trades have led the way in developing and refining apprenticeships in America.

Who: U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez Federal Reserve Chair Janet L. YellenU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erica L. Groshen

WASHINGTON — The non-profit, non-partisan Partnership for Public Service, at an awards ceremony tonight, will present the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, known as "Sammies," to public servants in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Edward C. Hugler, deputy assistant secretary for operations at the U.S. Department of Labor, will be honored with the Management Excellence Medal.

WASHINGTON — Today, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts denied an application to stay a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upholding the U.S. Department of Labor's Home Care Final Rule. The court's Aug. 21, 2015, decision will take effect on Oct. 13 as a result. In response, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the September 2015 Employment Situation report released today: