$4.2 million in YouthBuild grants awarded to greater Birmingham region
Rep. Terri Sewell announced that the greater Birmingham region will receive over $4.2 million in grant funding from the United States Department of Labor (DOL) for job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth. The funding is awarded through DOL’s YouthBuild program and will be used to develop apprenticeship and other career pathway models that help prepare at-risk youth for jobs in construction and other in-demand industries. The awards are part of a $90 million investment to grow America’s clean energy workforce with education and training for young adults. Sixty-eight grants were awarded to organizations in 28 states and Puerto Rico. Participants will engage in classroom learning that will prepare them for work-based learning opportunities, building and rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their communities. Additionally, the YouthBuild funding announcement included criteria that awarded bonus points to applicants that demonstrated their ability to provide training in green construction techniques, training the next generation of workers for resilience and clean energy careers of the future. The following organizations were named as recipients of DOL’s YouthBuild grant program: Bessemer Housing Authority – $1,500,000 Housing Authority of Birmingham District (HABD) – $1,500,000 Cornerstone Revitalization Foundation – $1,259,237 Sewell expressed excitement for the funding and its investment in youth. “I’m thrilled that the greater Birmingham region will be receiving over $4.2 million from the Department of Labor!” stated Rep. Sewell. “This announcement is truly a win-win for our community. By connecting at-risk youth with job training and education, this funding will provide our most vulnerable young adults with the resources they need to succeed, all while growing our green energy workforce. Once again, I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for making transformational investments in our community!” “We are delighted to be awarded the Department of Labor YouthBuild Grant to help provide the youth of Bessemer, Alabama with additional resources, furthering their education and preparing them to become productive citizens in our community,” commented Courtney Coleman, Executive Director of the Bessemer Housing Authority. “We believe these funds along with our community partners will work together to ‘Build Better Lives’ and ‘Deliver Hope,’ which is the mission here at the Bessemer Housing Authority.” HABD Board Chairman Dr. Anthony Hood stated, “This is a monumental win for our agency. This award allows us to equip our most promising youth with the tools needed to thrive in an ever-competitive workforce. The demand for skilled trades and apprenticeships has never been stronger, and this grant allows us to place our young people on a direct path to the careers of the future.” YouthBuild programs also train young people for employment in healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and logistics, culinary arts, and hospitality.
Alabama unemployment rate holds steady at 3.1%
Alabama’s jobless rate remained unchanged at 3.1% for the fourth straight month in January, the state Department of Labor said Monday. The rate represented 69,141 people without jobs compared to 90,390 in January 2021, when many businesses were trying to return to normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state rate was better than the comparable U.S. unemployment rate of 4% in January. Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said more than 33,000 jobs were created over the last year, and total weekly earnings had increased $30.60. “While holding steady may not seem like a positive thing to some, given the uncertainties that currently exist in our national economy, I’m proud to say that, so far, Alabama is maintaining positive employment trends,” he said in a statement. Shelby County in metro Birmingham had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.2%, and rural Wilcox County was worst at 11.2%. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Inflation causing Americans to doubt Joe Biden on economy, polls show
As inflation continues to raise concerns about the state of the economy, new polling shows voters are doubtful about whether President Joe Biden is taking the issue seriously enough. An ABC/IPSOS poll released Sunday found that 57% of Americans surveyed disapprove of Biden’s economic policies, especially as they pertain to rising inflation. The ABC/IPSOS poll suggests that discontent is largely driven by the inflation issue, with 69% of those surveyed saying they disapprove of how the president is dealing with it. Notably, 71% of Independent voters disapprove of Biden’s handling of inflation. Economic concerns have plagued the Biden administration and gummed up their efforts to get the “Build Back Better” spending plan across the finish line as critics of the plan argue federal debt spending will only make inflation worse. Meanwhile, a newly released poll from the Trafalgar group found that the majority of Americans do not believe Biden is taking the issue seriously enough. Biden has argued his spending plan would combat inflation, though critics dispute that claim. The Trafalgar poll asked, “How concerned do you think President Biden is about the impact that rising costs and inflation is having on Americans?” The poll reports that 56.7% said Biden is “not concerned,” while 43.2% said he is “concerned.” The Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics released new data last week on the consumer price index, a leading marker of inflation. The CPI reported a 6.8% increase in prices in the previous 12 months. “The all items index rose 6.8 percent for the 12 months ending October, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending June 1982,” BLS said. “The index for all items less food and energy rose 4.9 percent over the last 12 months, while the energy index rose 33.3 percent over the last year, and the food index increased 6.1 percent. These changes are the largest 12-month increases in at least 13 years in the respective series.” Gas prices have also risen significantly and brought their own political challenges for the president. “The monthly all items seasonally adjusted increase was the result of broad increases in most component indexes, similar to last month,” BLS said. “The indexes for gasoline, shelter, food, used cars and trucks, and new vehicles were among the larger contributors. The energy index rose 3.5 percent in November as the gasoline index increased 6.1 percent, and the other major energy component indexes also rose. The food index increased 0.7 percent as the index for food at home rose 0.8 percent.” By Casey Harper | The Center Square Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Experts predict less economic growth, elevated inflation for years to come
A survey released Monday found that business experts expect prices and inflation to rise at elevated levels for years to come. The National Association for Business Economics released the results of a survey of 48 economic experts who downgraded their growth predictions and projected elevated inflation through the second half of 2023, if not later. “NABE Outlook survey panelists have ramped up their expectations for inflation significantly since September,” said NABE Vice President Julia Coronado, founder and president, MacroPolicy Perspectives LLC. “The core consumer price index, which excludes food and energy costs, is now expected to rise 6.0% from the fourth quarter of 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to the September forecast of a 5.1% increase over the same period.” Recent Department of Labor inflation data shows the fastest rise in decades. “Nearly three-fourths of respondents – 71% – anticipate that the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of inflation, the change in the core PCE price index, will not cool down to or below the Fed’s target of 2% year-over-year until the second half of 2023 or later,” Coronado added. Experts do expect wages to rise as well and predict the U.S. will reach full employment likely in 2022 or 2023. The Federal Reserve has signaled it is considering interest rate changes to address inflation but has taken no dramatic steps so far. In May, the surveyed NABE experts projected 6.7% economic growth for 2021. They have since downgraded their prediction to 4.9%. Republicans have laid the blame for inflation at the feet of President Joe Biden for increased federal spending. However, he has argued his Build Back Better spending plan would address the problem, a claim critics dispute. “Inflation has gone up every month of Joe Biden’s presidency,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. “This is a tax on every American.” By Casey Harper | The Center Square Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Alabama jobless rate drops to 3.4% as recovery continues
Alabama’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.4% in May, down sharply from a year earlier as the economy added jobs while it recovered from the pandemic, the state said Friday. The jobless rate fell from 3.6% in April, while wage and salary employment increased by 4,700, the Department of Labor said in an announcement. The rate was a substantial improvement from the 7.9% recorded in May 2020, when nearly 175,000 were jobless compared to about 79,000 last month. Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said nearly all sectors of the economy were recovering, and paychecks were getting fatter. “Once again, our average weekly wages are at new record high, representing an almost $67 per week over-the-year increase. Both the leisure and hospitality and manufacturing sectors are showing record high wages as well, with significant yearly increases,” he said. Shelby County in metro Birmingham had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.8%, followed by Blount County at 1.9%. Located in rural western Alabama, Wilcox County was highest in the state by far at 8.8%, followed by neighboring Lowndes County at 8.2%. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Jobless rate at 4.3%, lowest of pandemic
Alabama’s unemployment rate for January declined to 4.3%, the lowest level since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic a year ago, the state said Monday. While still well above the pre-pandemic level of 2.7% of January 2020, the rate was better than the revised December unemployment rate of 4.7%. It was also below the U.S. unemployment rate of 6.3% for the month, and Department of Labor said. Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said the drop to a new low level of joblessness for the pandemic was encouraging. “While we are still not where we were before this year of massive change, we are making progress,” he said in a statement. “More people were employed this month, and fewer were unemployed, which is always good news.” The January rate represented 97,726 people without work statewide compared to 106,318 in December. Roughly 2.16 million people were employed in the state, an increase of about 2,600 from December. Shelby County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.3%, followed by Blount County at 2.4% and Cullman and Limestone counties, which both had jobless rates of 2.5%. Wilcox County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 12.4%. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Bradley Byrne moves to overturn OSHA’s ‘unlawful power grab’
In the final weeks of the Obama administration, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a rule clarifying an employer’s continuing obligation to make and maintain an accurate log of workplace injuries and illnesses for five years after they occur. While OSHA inspectors have long used this information to enhance health and safety protections in America’s jobsites, the law explicitly says that employers can only be cited for record-keeping violations within a six-month time period. Yet the new “Volks” rule, extends the threat of penalty up to five years, which many consider an attempt to make an end-run around a 2012 D.C. Circuit Court decision that previously ended the five-year practice. Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Bryrne is working to overturn the new rule, which he calls an “unlawful power grab by the Obama administration.” Chairman of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Bryne introduced a resolution of disapproval, H. J. Res 83, under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the rule and reject a failed approach to workplace safety on Tuesday. “Every worker deserves safe and healthy working conditions, and bad actors who put hardworking men and women in harm’s way must be held accountable,” said Byrne. “That’s why Republicans have consistently called on OSHA to improve its enforcement efforts and collaborate with employers to address gaps in safety.” Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress may pass a resolution of disapproval to prevent, with the full force of law, a federal agency from implementing a rule or issuing a rule that is substantially the same without congressional authorization. Chairman Byrne’s resolution would block OSHA’s “Volks” rule from taking effect and prevent future administrations from promulgating a similar rule. Bryne continued, “Unfortunately, the Obama administration consistently doubled down on failed, punitive policies that do more to tie small businesses in red tape than protect workers. With this rule, OSHA rewrote federal law while doing nothing to improve worker health and safety. Congress must reject this unlawful power grab and encourage the agency to adopt the responsible, proactive safety approach that America’s workers deserve.” Prior to Byrne’s resolution, two federal appeals courts have rejected the policies reflected in the rule after a Louisiana construction company was cited for paperwork errors occurring nearly five years prior. “We do not believe Congress expressly established a statute of limitations only to implicitly encourage the Secretary to ignore it,” the D.C. Circuit Court noted.
Andrew Puzder withdrawal stark example of rough start for Trump WH
President Donald Trump plans to announce a new labor secretary nominee a day after his original pick, Andrew Puzder, abruptly withdrew from consideration. Trump scheduled a news conference Thursday afternoon to announce his new candidate for the labor job. “The man I’ll be announcing for labor is a star, great person,” Trump said as he opened a meeting with some of his staunchest supporters in the House. Puzder’s withdrawal was a stark example of the disorganized nature of the new administration not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. Contentious confirmation fights, a botched rollout of Trump’s refugee order and the ouster this week of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn have nearly paralyzed the administration. Republicans grumbled about the stream of “distractions,” including the torrent of criticism about Puzder’s personal life and his record as CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. What ultimately drained Puzder of enough Republican support for confirmation was his acknowledgment — well after Trump had become president — of employing a housekeeper not authorized to work in the U.S. Puzder said he had fired the employee about five years ago. But he did not pay the related taxes until after Trump nominated him as labor secretary on Dec. 9. Puzder said he paid the taxes as soon as he found out he owed them, but there was no explanation of why he didn’t know or pay for five years. Spokesman George Thompson said Wednesday that Puzder did not tell the White House about the housekeeper issue until after he had been nominated. It’s not clear that Trump’s aides asked the immigration question before the nomination even though such issues have sunk past presidential nominations and Trump has taken a hard line on people in the U.S. illegally. People who were interviewed during the transition period said they were not asked by Trump’s team to provide vetting information, raising questions about the level of scrutiny. Ultimately, Republicans made it clear that Puzder lacked the votes in a chamber narrowly split between Republicans and Democrats. There was scant, if any, praise for his vetting. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lamar Alexander, who would have chaired Puzder’s confirmation hearing Thursday, issued statements praising Puzder’s qualifications but saying they “respect” his decision. Puzder fell to a relentless series of attacks from Democrats, labor and other groups who opposed him on ideological and personal grounds. They contended that his corporate background and opposition to such proposals as a big hike in the minimum wage made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing worker protections. They rolled out stories from workers who said they were treated badly at Puzder’s company. And they were ready to make his women and his workers part of the hearing on Thursday. Puzder was quoted in Entrepreneur magazine in 2015 as saying, “I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis.” He said the racy commercials for Carl’s Jr., one of his companies, were “very American.” Democrats also said Puzder had disparaged workers at his restaurants. He was quoted by Business Insider as saying he wanted to try robots at his restaurants, because “They’re always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there’s never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex or race discrimination case.” A coalition led by the pro-labor National Employment Law Project and Jobs With Justice groups said Puzder’s withdrawal represents the “first victory of the resistance against President Trump.” “Workers and families across the country spoke up loud and clear that they want a true champion for all workers in the Labor Department,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the panel that was to handle the hearing. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Andrew Puzder withdraws nomination for labor secretary
Andrew Puzder says he is withdrawing as President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary. The fast food executive says in a statement provided to The Associated Press that he was “honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America’s workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity.” Puzder says “while I won’t be serving in the administration, I fully support the President and his highly qualified team.” Puzder’s confirmation hearing was scheduled for Thursday. But some Republicans had raised concerns about his failure to pay taxes for five years on a former housekeeper who wasn’t authorized to work in the U.S. Puzder is CEO of CKE Restaurants Inc. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Labor nominee Andrew Puzder expected to withdraw
According to sources close to the White House, Donald Trumps‘ Department of Labor nominee Andrew Puzder is preparing to withdraw his nomination. Puzder’s alleged decision comes in the wake of senior Senate Republicans asking the White House to rescind Puzder’s nomination after they determined there was not enough support to get him through the process. Puzder needs at least 50 votes to be confirmed with the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Mike Pence. The CEO of the company that owns the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. fast food chains, Puzder’s nomination was dismantled by reports that he employed an undocumented immigrant and didn’t pay taxes on her compensation, that he apprenticed to a mob lawyer, and that his former wife alleged that he abused her, though she later recanted the claim. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer echoed the criticisms against the nominee with a public statement Wednesday afternoon. “No matter how you cut it, there is no worse pick for labor secretary than Andrew Puzder, and I’m encouraged my Republican colleagues are starting to agree,” the New York Democrat said. “He does not belong anywhere near the Labor Department, let alone at the head of it. Puzder’s disdain for the American worker, the very people he would be responsible for protecting, is second to none.” “President Trump should immediately withdraw this nomination and nominate a champion of worker’s rights.” Alabama Today could not reach a Puzder spokesman for comment.
Labor secretary nominee Andrew Puzder’s company outsourced jobs
The fast-food empire run by President Donald Trump‘s pick for Labor secretary outsourced its technology department to the Philippines, a move that runs counter to Trump’s mantra to keep jobs in the United States A filing with the Department of Labor and Trump’s criticism of outsourcing could be raised at Andrew Puzder‘s confirmation hearing, with Democrats questioning how well he can advocate for workers. Puzder’s company, CKE Restaurants Inc., notified the government in August of 2010 that it was outsourcing its restaurant information technology division to the Philippines. Doing so, the agency found, “contributed importantly” to the layoffs of both CKE employees and those of an outside staffing firm at an Anaheim, California facility. The agency’s finding made workers eligible for federally funded benefits meant to dampen the impact of globalization on employees. “By outsourcing the function to a firm that employs hundreds of Help Desk specialists, CKE was able to improve the quality of service levels to their restaurants,” the company said in a statement Wednesday to The Associated Press. There’s nothing illegal, or even uncommon, about CKE’s decision to move its help desk overseas and lay off about 20 workers. But the filing — and a spokesman’s acknowledgement that CKE continues to use the IT operation in the Philippines — provides a window into a key contradiction raised by Trump’s nomination of Puzder to head the Cabinet agency charged with enforcing worker rights. “President Trump has said that he will put American workers first, but it increasingly appears this was just empty campaign rhetoric_and we saw this so clearly in who he nominated to lead the Department of Labor,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the senior Democrat on the committee that will consider Puzder’s nomination. “This filing showing jobs being outsourced overseas is yet another troubling example of workers being squeezed by companies under Andrew Puzder’s leadership.” During his first week in the White House, Trump warned that he would impose a “substantial border tax” on companies that move their manufacturing out of the United States. He also promised tax advantages to companies that produce products domestically. “All you have to do is stay,” he said during a meeting in the White House’s Roosevelt Room. Trump’s companies have regularly outsourced supply purchases and sometimes used guest workers. Trump’s anti-outsourcing message, begun during the presidential campaign, is based on the idea that the practice has hurt middle and lower-income working Americans who feel left behind in the nation’s economic recovery and form much of the new president’s political base. In its statement, CKE defended its decision to move its IT division overseas. “The existing CKE restaurant support staff was insufficient to adequately cover the disproportionately high volume of help desk calls that occur during the early morning hours and to provide full, 24-hours per day, 7-days per week coverage. So, CKE shifted its small help desk services team to a firm that provides both offshore and onshore support.” The Department of Labor’s determination that outsourcing cost the CKE Restaurant employees their jobs was one of more than 2,400 such certifications made in 2010. Outsourcing IT jobs is not unusual, especially in the restaurant industry, because of the cost, said Frank Casale of the Outsourcing Institute and co-founder of the Institute for Robotic Process Automation. “It’s going to be cheaper. From the standpoint of efficiency, it’s going to be better.” The Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee has scheduled a Feb. 7 hearing on Puzder’s nomination, a hearing that has been postponed at least twice. Committee Democrats have offered up current and former employees of his companies to tell unflattering stories about their treatment while working for Puzder’s companies. Democrats and their allies say Puzder’s corporate mindset and his public statements call into question his fitness to defend government rules designed to protect American workers. And they’ve assailed Puzder’s opposition to a big raise in the minimum wage, among other positions. “The proof that the Trump administration won’t look out for working families is right there: Trump and his cabinet built their careers by hurting U.S. workers,” said Jessica Mackler, president of super PAC American Bridge, which backed Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign. At a 2013 American Enterprise Conference, Puzder said Hardee’s Restaurant operators in the Southeast and Midwest were jealous of the immigrant-heavy workforce in California. “In other parts of the country you often get people that are saying, ‘I can’t believe I have to work this job,’” he said. But in California, he added, “with the immigration population you always have the, ‘Thank God I have this job’ kind of attitude.” Puzder also has talked about replacing American workers who demand higher wages with robots, which he said are always polite, never late, and don’t sue their employers for discrimination, according to an interview with Business Insider. A statement from Puzder released by the Trump campaign in December struck a different note, promising that he’d be “the best champion American workers have had.” Trump and Puzder have said the nominee’s role as a jobs creator prepares him be a powerful advocate for American workers. Puzder tweeted on Jan. 16, “I am looking forward to my hearing.” Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Donald Trump picks fast food executive Andrew Puzder for Labor
President-elect Donald Trump plans to add another wealthy business person and elite donor to his Cabinet, saying he would nominate fast-food executive Andrew Puzder as labor secretary. Puzder heads CKE Restaurants Holdings, the parent company of Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s and other chains. In 2010, he published a book called “Job Creation: How it Really Works and Why Government Doesn’t Understand It.” “Andy will fight to make American workers safer and more prosperous by enforcing fair occupational safety standards and ensuring workers receive the benefits they deserve, and he will save small businesses from the crushing burdens of unnecessary regulations that are stunting job growth and suppressing wages,” President-elect Trump said in a statement. Puzder, in the same statement, said he was honored “to help President-elect Trump restore America’s global economic leadership.” The Californian was one of Trump’s earliest campaign financiers, serving as a co-chairman of his California finance team and organizing fundraisers well before most major donors got on board with the eventual Republican nominee. Together with his wife, Puzder contributed $150,000 in late May to Trump’s campaign and Republican Party partners, fundraising records show. As one of Trump’s most outspoken defenders, Puzder frequently appeared on cable news and Twitter to talk up the benefits of having a business leader in the White House. A week after Trump’s election, Puzder said he agreed with Trump’s aim to ease business regulations. “We’ve reached the point where overregulation is doing meaningful damage to our businesses,” he said last month at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference in Las Vegas, citing high labor costs, increased health care costs and “political and social” policies as hindrances. Union leaders decried Puzder as a secretary who would look out for millionaires – but not workers. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a statement that Puzder’s “business record is defined by fighting against working people.” Incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said there’s reason to be skeptical about Puzder. “Turning the Labor Department over to someone who opposes an increase in the minimum wage, opposes the overtime rule that would raise middle class wages, and whose businesses have repeatedly violated labor laws might be the surest sign yet that the next cabinet will be looking out for the billionaires and special interests, instead of America’s working class,” Schumer said in a statement. Trump’s selection won praise from the National Retail Federation, however. “Andrew Puzder is someone with the real-world experience to understand workforce issues and how jobs are created,” said David French, NRF’s senior vice president for government relations. Trump’s recent appointments have reflected his desire to turn to business leaders – who also were campaign donors. Trump tapped former WWE chief executive and top campaign contributor Linda McMahon to lead the Small Business Administration. He also selected his campaign’s national finance chairman Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs executive and hedge fund investor, as Treasury secretary. Puzder visited with Trump several times since the election, including a meeting Wednesday afternoon at Trump Tower. He has long been a reliable GOP donor. He was a major financier for 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney and has remained close to him. At Romney’s annual donor summit in June, Puzder was one of just a few attendees who aggressively promoted Trump to the dozens who were more squeamish about their party’s new star. He told The Associated Press at the Republican National Convention in late July that he enjoyed the challenge of raising money for Trump, saying he often sought common ground with reluctant GOP donors by talking up Trump’s children. “If he’s such an evil villain,” Puzder said he would tell would-be donors, “how do you explain the kids?” Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
