US Secretary of Labor announces Biden-Harris administration’s coordinated effort to improve job quality nationwide

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh today announced an initiative aimed at improving job quality throughout the country. The “Good Jobs” initiative, led by the Department of Labor, will provide critical information to workers, employers and government entities as they seek to improve job quality, and create access to good union jobs – free from discrimination and harassment – for all workers and job seekers.

The Secretary unveiled the initiative in a keynote address to the U.S. Conference of Mayors today.

“Working people across the country want better opportunities, and demand more from their work. Many businesses understand these new expectations and are seeking the right tools to meet the moment,” said Secretary Walsh. “During this historic economic recovery, we can work together to provide opportunities in every community in our nation.” 

The Good Jobs initiative focuses on empowering working people by:

• Providing workers with easily accessible information about their rights, including the right to bargain collectively and form a union. 
• Engaging employer stakeholders as partners to improve job quality and workforce pathways to good jobs. 
• Supporting partnerships across federal agencies, and providing technical assistance on grants, contracts and other investments intended to improve job quality. 

While advancing job quality for all people also emphasizes BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, immigrants, veterans, people with disabilities and individuals in rural communities, the Good Jobs Initiative coordinates work done since the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration and, often for decades before, under one umbrella to promote good jobs. Consistent with applicable legal authority, the initiative will ensure that workers, employers and other agencies continue to have access to these resources in building job quality standards and equitable pathways to those jobs.

“The President has made the creation of good jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union a cornerstone of this administration,” added Secretary Walsh. “The Good Jobs initiative, in partnership with the White House, will help to deliver on that promise.”

Employers, workers and federal agencies interested in learning more about this effort can email GoodJobsInitiative@dol.gov.