By Godson Umejiego, Bureau Chief, The Americas
In Las Vegas, Acting Secretary of Labour Julie Su celebrated The Venetian Resort’s historic first contract with the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, making the Strip 100 per cent union.
She also met with the Western States Carpenters to hear about how they’re employing our Good Jobs Principles and breaking down barriers for women and people of colour in the trades. At the William S. Boyd School of Law, she joined a discussion with students and faculty on careers in public interest law that protect workers’ rights.
Acting Secretary Su poses for a photo with 11 professionally dressed people standing by signs that read “Investing in America” and outline the good jobs principles.
Enacting Good Jobs Principles in North Carolina
This week, Charlotte became the latest city to sign onto the Good Jobs Alliance. Acting Secretary Su joined local leaders for a ceremony solidifying their commitments to advancing good union jobs, especially for people who have been traditionally left out. While in North Carolina, she also visited a county detention center that is using department funding to ensure residents have the necessary skills for good jobs before their release. Her last stop was the Oconaluftee Jobs Corps Civilian Conservation Center, where she heard from students and led a swearing-in ceremony for the newest members of the American Climate Corps.
Expanding high-quality job opportunities for workers in Georgia
More partners have joined the Atlanta Good Jobs Alliance Coalition to expand opportunities for women, people of color and other underserved communities. Acting Secretary Su this week announced new administration investments to strengthen the workforce. Afterward, she joined a roundtable discussion with the Latino American Association on connecting Latino and Hispanic workers with high quality jobs in clean energy. She also visited Clark Atlanta University for a conversation on leveraging federal investments to create good jobs for all workers in the South, especially Black workers.
Shaping the future of labour
At the United Farm Workers 2024 Convention, Acting Secretary Su talked about how unions are leading the fight for good jobs, fair wages and safe conditions, saying: “This administration stands with you in everything that you are doing, as you write a story of more justice and more dignity in the fields, and more security for every worker across the country.”
Grants awarded
Grants awarded to support US workers
We awarded more than $300 million in grants this week, including:
US$203 million to connect older job seekers to training and career services
US$12.7 million for workplace safety and health training and education
US$71 million to improve job quality, prepare workers and expand access to good jobs in critical sectors
US$7.4 million to continue recovery efforts following severe winter storms in California
US$6.5 million to help ensure proper housing for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents
Collage. A woman in a wheelchair speaks to unseen colleagues. A blind woman types on a keyboard as a colleague looks on. A man uses American Sign Language while communicating on a laptop. An illustration shows a connected network and the word “AI.”
AI & inclusive hiring
A new tool will support the inclusive use of AI in hiring technology and increase benefits to disabled job seekers. The AI & Inclusive Hiring Framework aims to help employers reduce the risks of creating unintentional forms of discrimination and barriers to accessibility as they implement AI hiring technology. The framework was released by the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology, which is funded by our Office of Disability Employment Policy.
