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Work Projects Administration (WPA)
This legislation originally called Progress Administration and renamed in 1939, was the largest New Deal agency; it employed millions to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads and the operation of literacy projects. It was funded by Congress with the passage of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935 (48 Stat. 1055). -
The National Labor Relations Act of 1935
Governs how employers may treat workers in the private sector who create labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and take part in strikes and other forms of activity in support of their demands. Established the National Labor Relations Board, which investigates and decides on charges of unfair labor practices. The Board also looks into matters such as better training for employees and the development of standard procedures in different occupational areas. 29 U.S.C. § 151-169 -
The Comprehensive Employment and Training Act
This law was enacted in 1973 and provided work to the long-term unemployed in public agencies or private, not for profit organizations as well as provided summer work to low income high school students. The intent of this law was to teach workers marketable skills that would allow them to move to an unsubsidized job. The Job Training Partnership Act later repealed this law. -
The Job Training Partnership Act of 1982
The successor of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act established federal programs to prepare youth and unskilled adults for entry in to the labor force and to provide job training to economically disadvantaged individuals. It was repealed by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. -
Presidential Declaration of Labor History Month
President Clinton’s Proclamation 6688 declared the month of May 1994 as Labor History Month to highlight the importance of studying the history of labor to understand the foundations of work life in America: the 8 hour day, the forty hour week, security in unemployment and old age, protection for the sick and injured, equal employment opportunity, protection for children and health and safety. -
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998: Replacing the Job Training Partnership Act and certain other federal job training laws, this law created a new national workforce investment system in part by trying to entice businesses to participate in the local delivery of workforce development services. PL105-220 -
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 amended the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to promote manufacturing, service, and high technology businesses and workers being more competitive and productive at home and abroad. This law compensated for lost benefits by permanently cutting corporate tax rates for domestic manufacturers, producers, farmers, and small corporations as well as provided pro-growth tax incentives, among other tax provisions. PL108-357 -
Youthbuild Transfer Act
The Youthbuild Transfer Act amended the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for a Youthbuild Program to give disadvantaged youth opportunities for employment, education, leadership development, and training. Additionally, this law promoted the rehabilitation or construction of housing for homeless individuals and low-income families. PL109-281 -
2008 Best of Congress Award
Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother Media, Inc. launched the inaugural Best of Congress Award to spotlight congressional leadership in working family issues. 24 Senators and Representatives were recognized for taking leadership on legislation supporting working families, promoting family-friendly policies, and providing workplace flexibility to their own employees via model office policies. -
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Among other things, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriated funding to the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. IIt also creates the Disconnected Youth Employer Tax Credit to allow companies to save up to $2,400 per employee for hiring “disconnected youth,” while at the same time tapping into a new talent pool and providing young adults with onramps to the labor force. PL111-5 -
Serve America Act
Among other things, the Serve America Act appropriated money to fund grant programs on workforce readiness and training. The law created an education corps to reach out to low income communities to increase student engagement and achievements for a higher graduation success rate. The law also established summer and mentoring programs for students to volunteer in their communities and earn funds for college tuition. PL111-13 -
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
Among other things, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 increased funds to community college and career training programs, reformed student loans to make tuition money more readily available, and increased caps on existing grant money available for other training and education programs. PL111-152 -
House Democratic Caucus Congressional Task Force on Competitiveness: Business Leaders Forum
House Democratic Caucus Congressional Task Force on Competitiveness hosted a business leaders forum to devise ways to create good-paying jobs in industries of the future. The Congressional Task Force on Competitiveness hosted the forum to learn about issues that affect American competitiveness in order to create policies that encourage more jobs in America. Topics included education, trade, tax, infrastructure and how America can lead the world in innovation and economic prosperity. -
2010 Best of Congress Award
The Best of Congress Awards were created and given out by Corporate Voices for Working Families in partnership with Working Mother Media, Inc. to highlight excellence in improving the lives of working families through legislation and advocacy as well as members who have model employment practices in their own small offices. 30 recipients from both sides of the aisle were recognized as being Best of Congress for Work-Life. -
White House Summit on Community Colleges
The National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility kicked off with an event in Dallas. Building on the momentum of the White House Forum on Workplace Flexibility, the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor are leading conversations across the country to discuss workplace flexibility with key stakeholders from the business community, academics, unions, government, and advocates.