What is the focus of the dWhat is the focus of the department?epartment?

A Cabinet department of the United States A Cabinet department of the United States Government responsible Government responsible for the administration and for the administration and enforcement of over 180 federal statutes. enforcement of over 180 federal statutes.

Takes control of Takes control of occupational safety, protection of occupational safety, protection of workers’ wages and hour standards, workers’ wages and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, equal employment employment services, equal employment opportunities, job training, pension rights etc. opportunities, job training, pension rights etc.

Takes its responsibility seriously to help America’s worTakes its responsibility seriously to help America’s workers to cope with the current economic challenges. It prkers to cope with the current economic challenges. It prepares the American workforce for new and better jobs.epares the American workforce for new and better jobs.

What is the history of What is the history of the department?the department?

Before the Department of Labor gained separate cabinet status in 1913, Before the Department of Labor gained separate cabinet status in 1913, labor had been represented by various federal agencies. labor had been represented by various federal agencies. • First, First, the U.S Congress established the first agency called the the U.S Congress established the first agency called the

Bureau of LaborBureau of Labor in 1884. in 1884. Four years later, the Bureau of Labor became an independent Four years later, the Bureau of Labor became an independent

Department of Labor, but it lacked the executive rank; thus, it Department of Labor, but it lacked the executive rank; thus, it returned to a bureau again within the Department of returned to a bureau again within the Department of Commerce and Labor.Commerce and Labor.

On March 4, 1913, President William Howard Taft signed the On March 4, 1913, President William Howard Taft signed the bill establishing the Department of Labor as a cabinet-level bill establishing the Department of Labor as a cabinet-level Department.Department.

MajorMajor AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

EliminationElimination of war profiteering. of war profiteering. Recognition of the right of workers to bargain collRecognition of the right of workers to bargain coll

ectively. ectively. Establishment of machinery to adjust complaints Establishment of machinery to adjust complaints

from the workers.from the workers. Sanctioning of the 8-hour day with overtime pay fSanctioning of the 8-hour day with overtime pay f

or any time worked beyond 8 hours.or any time worked beyond 8 hours. Established the Women in Industry Service which Established the Women in Industry Service which

later became the later became the Women's BureauWomen's Bureau..

Hilda SolisHilda Solis President Barack Obama's President Barack Obama's

nominee for Secretary of nominee for Secretary of the Department of Labor. the Department of Labor.

Has degrees from California Has degrees from California State Polytechnic State Polytechnic University, Pomona andUniversity, Pomona andthe University of Southern the University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia

Was elected to the Was elected to the California State Assembly in California State Assembly in 1992 and to the California 1992 and to the California State Senate in 1994 and in State Senate in 1994 and in 1998.1998.

Earned the John F. Kennedy Earned the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in Profile in Courage Award in 2000 for her work in 2000 for her work in environmental justiceenvironmental justice

Served in the United States Served in the United States House of Representatives House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009.from 2001 to 2009.

Was known for her Was known for her commitment to labor commitment to labor causes and continuing causes and continuing environmental work in the environmental work in the House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

25th 25th United States Secretary of LaboUnited States Secretary of Laborr

Preceded by Preceded by Elaine ChaoElaine Chao

Assumed office Assumed office February 24, February 24, 20092009

Goals or plans Goals or plans for the for the

departmentdepartment Creating more “green jobs”Creating more “green jobs” Making safer working Making safer working

conditionsconditions Work to prevent Work to prevent

discrimination in the discrimination in the workplaceworkplace

Raising minimum wagesRaising minimum wages Correct problems with Correct problems with

immigrant workers immigrant workers Stop employment for cheap Stop employment for cheap

laborlabor Promote the Employee Free Promote the Employee Free

Choice ActChoice Act

General InformationGeneral Information Budget: $50.4 million (2008)Budget: $50.4 million (2008) 16,869 Full time employees16,869 Full time employees

Links:Links: http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Hilda_Solis.http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Hilda_Solis.

htmhtm http://www.dol.gov/http://www.dol.gov/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_

Department_of_LaborDepartment_of_Labor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWuQzhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWuQz

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