Author Archive for: pkhambadza

Fulfilling a Promise to Our Nation’s Miners Editor’s note: This post was originally published as an op-ed in The Patriot-News. Read the original on PennLive.com. Kevin and his daughter Kevin Weikle, a 34-year-old coal miner in West Virginia, began working in the mines at 18. Last year, his career came to an end. That’s because the father of four was

Expanding Access to Supportive Services for Care to Build the Workforce We Need This April, the White House is commemorating Care Workers Recognition Month and the one-year anniversary of President Biden signing the Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers. Today, as part our ongoing work on care, the U.S. Department of Labor, in consultation with

Honoring the Legacy and Future of Black Birth Workers   As we reflect on the history of maternal healthcare in the United States, the enduring legacy of Black birth workers is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and empowerment across generations. During Black Maternal Health Week, it is imperative to recognize the invaluable contributions of Black birth workers in addressing the

Unlocking the Power of Prevention in the Fight Against Cancer Did you know that cancer is the second-leading cause of death in America? It’s a sobering statistic, but there is a ray of hope; studies have shown that over 30 percent of cancers diagnosed today could be prevented through methods like screening and early detection. As part of Cancer Control

Empowering Women in the Trades The Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in American agenda is impacting communities across the country, from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas, San Francisco to Charlotte, Eugene to Lansing. In Milwaukee, Acting Secretary Julie Su announced $1.5 million in grants to the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/Big STEP, which works to create a diverse and highly skilled workforce. The funds

Fighting for Fairness: Domestic Workers and the Fair Labor Standards Act Left: Ella Watson, FSA cleaning woman (1942). Bottom right: Margaret Hinchey and Laundry Workers Union members (1914). Upper right: SEIU workers (2021). In 1938, the groundbreaking passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) enshrined foundational protections for America’s workers. Yet when the law was passed, it excluded several

Making ‘Worker Voice’ Work, at Home and Across the Globe! Members of a workers’ organization protesting in Myanmar. Photo credit: AHS (a pseudonym to protect the photographer) Last month, my colleagues from the Bureau of International Labor Affairs and I visited the Forum Silaturahmi Pelaut Indonesia, a 2,300-member community-based organization supporting Indonesian migrant fishers in Taiwan. We sat with members

COBRA: Providing Stability in Uncertain Times COBRA (or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) has been a lifeline for workers and their families facing the challenges of job loss, reduced working hours and certain other life changes by offering a way to maintain their health coverage during uncertain times.  As we observe COBRA’s 38th anniversary, here are five

Find Your Place in Space Space exploration impacts industries across the globe, including healthcare, agriculture, telecommunications and climate management. Astronauts may be the best-known space workers, but they hold few of the jobs. The logistics of space missions require a large team of workers with a variety of skills and training backgrounds. If you’re interested in space, you could channel

Transgender Day of Visibility 2024 – The Union Effect Transgender Day of Visibility 2024 shines a light on the resilience, achievements and presence of transgender persons worldwide. This year, we want to celebrate the pivotal role unions play in advocating for and protecting the rights and wellbeing of transgender workers across the country. Nearly half of transgender workers have experienced