READOUT: Secretary Walsh discusses strengthening economy; ensuring ‘Good Jobs’ through investments in job quality at panel discussion today

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh joined business leaders for panel discussion today on how private-sector employers can recruit, retain and strengthen their workforce through investments in job quality.

The “Good Jobs Initiative: The Business Case for Good Jobs” discussion focused on how businesses that create and sustain good jobs can better compete for talent by providing criticalbenefits ranging from caregiving support and flexibility to higher wages and job training.

“Across the board, many workers are looking for opportunities to learn new skills and start new careers, and we are seeing the greatest movement in industries with the lowest wages and workers who are disproportionately women, people of color and immigrants. We need to look at how more of those jobs can become careers, and make sure everyone has a pathway to the middle class,” said Secretary Walsh. “We want to identify solutions we can share, that move workers and businesses forward together. That’s what the Good Jobs Initiative is all about. It’s a collaborative effort to improve job quality – and job equity – across our economy.”

The panel was moderated by Carolyn Pincus, vice president of Strategy and Development at the American Sustainable Business Network. Members of the panel included BA Auto Care General Manager Sandi Weaver, Eileen Fisher Inc. General Counsel Elizabeth Richman, UPS Inc. President, Central Plains District, Darren Jones and Sustainergy Cooperative CEO Flequer Vera.

The panel discussion builds on the department’s Good Jobs Initiative, a coordinated effort by the Biden-Harris administration to improve job quality nationwide.