WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its Final Rule for the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing (HIRE) American Military Veterans Act. The law, signed by President Trump in May, creates the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, which will recognize companies and organizations for their efforts to recruit and retain America’s military service veterans.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Program will launch as a demonstration in 2018 with about 300 participating employers. It will be fully implemented in 2019.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the October 2017 Employment Situation report:

“October’s jobs report shows a return to strong pre-hurricane employment growth, with 261,000 new jobs created in October and upward revisions of +51,000 jobs for September and +39,000 jobs for August.  Including revisions, this month’s report reflects 351,000 additional jobs.  Since January, the economy has added nearly 1.5 million jobs.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced plans to undertake new rulemaking with regard to overtime.

On July 26, 2017, the Department of Labor published a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Overtime Final Rule, which was published on May 23, 2016, asking for public input on what changes the Department should propose. That comment period has ended and the Department is reviewing those submissions.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today announced that the third annual National Apprenticeship Week will be held November 13-19, 2017. Apprenticeships provide demand-driven education, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn – helping to close the skills gap between the skills job creators seek and job seekers need.

WASHINGTON, DC – Following President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order Expanding Apprenticeships in America, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today announced members of the President's Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion. The Task Force—representing companies, trade and industry groups, educational institutions, and labor unions—brings to the table substantial workforce development experience in addressing the nation’s skills gap.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement on the President’s Executive Order regarding healthcare:

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on President Donald J. Trump’s speech today on tax reform:

“President Trump continues to make a strong case for pro-growth tax reform that will give a boost to America’s workforce and job creators.  Under President Trump’s framework, miners, makers, and movers—including truckers—will be able to keep more of their paychecks. With a simpler, fairer tax system, Americans will get the level playing field they need to succeed.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today on the Trump Administration’s immigration policy priorities:

“Visa fraud and abuse hurts American workers and, at the same time, hurts foreign workers here legally under federal programs.  The U.S. Department of Labor is focused on combating fraud and abuse of Federal visa programs and is taking every available legal action against those who abuse these programs.  Stopping visa fraud and abuse must also be a priority for Congress.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the President’s announcement on tax reform today:

“President Donald J. Trump’s tax reform framework is great news for Americans and American job creators. This plan will create a simpler and fairer tax system. American families will keep more of their hard-earned pay, and job creators will have more resources to invest in the American workforce.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement to commemorate Labor Day:

“Labor Day is the one day a year that we set aside to honor the men and women who work every day to make this nation great. At the Department of Labor, we have the great privilege of engaging with the greatest workforce in the world, the American workforce.

SIMI VALLEY, CA – Today, during remarks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced that U.S. President Ronald Reagan will be inducted into the U.S. Department of Labor Hall of Honor.

BEDMINSTER, NJ –Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta delivered remarks following his meeting with President Donald J. Trump on the optimistic outlook of the American workforce. They specifically discussed the Department of Labor’s progress implementing his Executive Order on Apprenticeships.

Excerpts from his remarks are below:

It’s a pleasure to be here to update President Trump on the optimistic outlook of the American workforce.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the July 2017 Employment Situation report:

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta encouraged state officials to partner together to reduce excessive licensing.

Excerpts from his remarks, as delivered, at the Western Governors' Association Workforce Development Workshop, are below:

…I would like to ask for your leadership to reduce excessive licensing.

***

Today, more than 1,100 careers are licensed in at least one state.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement on his meeting with Swiss government officials to discuss apprenticeships and workforce development models:

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

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today issued the following statement on the ongoing labor dispute involving Verizon workers.

“Access to a job in the summer and beyond can make all the difference to a young person – especially those who don’t have access to many resources and opportunities.”

- President Barack Obama

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today issued the following statement on the ongoing labor dispute involving Verizon workers.

“A few days ago, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez reached out to the parties in the ongoing labor dispute involving Verizon workers and invited them to meet with him in Washington in an effort to help the parties resolve a dispute that is affecting thousands of workers, their families, and the company.

Since the beginning of his Administration, President Obama has focused on creating an economy that works for every American. Under President Obama, our economy has added 14.4 million jobs over 73 straight months, the longest streak of job creation on record. The jobs available today, and the jobs of the future, are higher-skill jobs that require more education and advanced skills.