Construction Materials

US Department of Labor awards nearly $84M in grants to expand Registered Apprenticeships WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of nearly $84 million in grants to 50 states and territories to increase the capacity of Registered Apprenticeship programs, representing an important step toward meeting the Administration’s goal of expanding the program to 1 million active apprentices.Since the beginning of the Trump Administration, over 134,000 new apprentices have registered across the nation. Today’s awards represent the base formula funding and competitive funding to states to increase their ability to serve, improve, and expand Registered Apprenticeship programs. This represents the third round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula funding the department has awarded. This investment will further accelerate Registered Apprenticeship programs, incentivize the creation and ongoing success of programs, reduce barriers to entry for new employer...

US Department of Labor awards more than $37M in continued grants to help homeless, at-risk veterans reenter workforce WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $37 million in grants to organizations that help veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness find meaningful employment and assist them in overcoming barriers to transition back successfully into the workforce.Administered by the department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program awarded more than $37 million to 98 organizations now in their second or third years in the program. These organizations provide participating veterans with occupational skills, connect them with Registered Apprenticeships or other on-the-job training, and deliver job search and placement services.VETS awards HVRP grants competitively to nonprofit and for-profit organizations, Native American Tribal governments, state and local workforce dev...

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer marks 100 days championing American workers WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer today celebrated 100 days since she was sworn in as the 30th Labor Secretary, marking a key milestone in her efforts to advance President Trump’s America First agenda by quickly delivering on her mission to empower U.S. workers and employers.Since taking office, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has hit the ground running to support the President’s bold, pro-growth policies that have spurred job creation, cut red tape, and ushered in a new Golden Age of economic opportunity for the American workforce.“From day one, I promised to put American workers first and deliver on President Trump’s commitment to revitalize our workforce,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “Since then, we’ve jumpstarted a new Golden Age for American workers by creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, cutting burdensome regulations, saving taxpayer dollars, and investing in the skills and training that ...

US Department of Labor, Trade Representative seek review of alleged denial of rights at steel pipe manufacturer in Mexico WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement requested that the government of Mexico review an alleged denial of workers’ rights at Tubos de Acero de Mexico S.A., a manufacturer of seamless steel pipe located in Veracruz, Mexico.The U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Trade Representative co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee. The request follows a May 14, 2025, petition filed by SINAIN, a Mexican union.Filed under the USMCA’s Rapid Response Mechanism, the petition alleges that the company is systematically denying SINAIN members their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining through acts of anti-union discrimination and interference with union activity.After the Interagency Labor Committee found sufficient and credible evidence supporting the petition’s allega...

Department of Labor recovers $101K in wages, damages for 31 employees of Houston plumbing contractor owed overtime HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $101,690 in back wages and damages owed to 31 employees of a Houston plumbing contractor who paid them a salary but failed to pay an overtime premium for hours over 40 in a workweek.Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined Amailey Plumbing LLC categorized service technicians and apprentice helpers as salaried employees and did not pay them the correct overtime rate as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The division calculated that the contractor owed $50,845 in back overtime wages and an equal amount in damages.“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to making sure every worker receives their rightfully earned wages,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Chad Frasier in Houston. “The outcome in this case should remind other employers to evaluate their pa...

US Department of Labor to offer prevailing wage webinars in June for current, prospective federal contractors on prevailing wage requirements WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Wage and Hour Division will offer webinars on prevailing wage requirements in 2025 for contractors, contracting agencies, unions, workers, and other stakeholders involved in federally funded construction and service contracts. Part of its ongoing effort to increase awareness and improve compliance, the division will host two-day online seminars with sessions on the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, Service Contract Act, and other topics. Participants can choose between the sessions offered on either of the two days. Webinars are scheduled for June 25-26 and Sept. 24-25. Learn more about related federal wage regulations and check for updates on the seminars.These events help educate federal contractors seeking opportunities to employ skilled...

ICYMI: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer highlights skilled workforce training on America at Work tour EDISON, NJ – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer continued her America at Work listening tour this week with visits to Long Island, New York, and Edison, New Jersey, where she met with apprentices and observed hands-on training in welding, framing, and acoustical work.“Our nation’s skilled workforce is thriving under President Trump’s leadership, with thousands of new jobs created on Long Island and in New Jersey since he took office,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “This week, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of investments in top-notch training programs that drive local economic growth. When we invest in skills and opportunity, we empower men and women to build better lives for themselves and their families. I appreciate Congressmen Garbarino, LaLota, and Kean hosting me on my America at Work tour and will continue working with them to Make America Skilled Again.”“Long Isla...