Labor FY 2010 Budget Will Protect Workers. What a Concept

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/05/15/labor-fy-2010-budget-will-protect-workers-what-a-concept/

by Mike Hall, May 15, 2009

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis told two congressional committees this week that the Department of Labor’s fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget will

restore capacity in our worker protection programs, which have languished for years.

Appearing in separate hearings before the Senate and House Appropriations committees’ Labor, Health and Human Services and Education subcommittees, Solis said the department’s budget—including a 10 percent increase for worker protection programs—will fund three priorities:

* Renewed capacity of programs that protect workers’ safety and health, pay and benefits;
* New and innovative ways to promote economic recovery and the competitiveness of our nation’s workers; and
* Carrying out programs in a way that is accountable and transparent to the public and our stakeholders.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said the budget will allow

significant improvements in labor protections and workplace safety and health.

At the House hearing, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said during the past eight years, the department relied far too heavily on voluntary employer compliance programs for workplace safety and other worker protections.

Your budget makes it clear that your department is in competent hands.

Solis said the proposed funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will

restore OSHA’s capacity to enforce statutory protections, provide technical support, promulgate safety and health standards, and strengthen safety and health statistics.

The increased funding for worker protection programs, Solis said, will allow the department to hire an additional

* 130 safety and health inspectors (a 10 percent increase from FY 2009);
* 25 whistle-blower investigators (a 33 percent increase);
* 13 full-time employees to strengthen OSHA’s capacity to quickly respond to the sudden emergence of safety and health hazards, such as a pandemic influenza;
* 20 full-time employees to restore OSHA’s rule-making capabilities, allowing the agency to simultaneously address multiple complex longstanding and emerging regulatory issues.


FULL story at link.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

1. K & R! Whoda thunk it?

A Labor dept that protects and benefits....WORKERS!!

The increased funding for worker protection programs, Solis said, will allow the department to hire an additional

* 130 safety and health inspectors (a 10 percent increase from FY 2009);
* 25 whistle-blower investigators (a 33 percent increase);
* 13 full-time employees to strengthen OSHA’s capacity to quickly respond to the sudden emergence of safety and health hazards, such as a pandemic influenza;
* 20 full-time employees to restore OSHA’s rule-making capabilities, allowing the agency to simultaneously address multiple complex longstanding and emerging regulatory issues.

[billyoc]

2. Sometimes I forget that the Secretary of Labor isn't Mitch McConnell's WIFE anymore.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

3. I'll take "collaborating, obstructionist republican couples" for $1000, Alex.