From charlie.burr at state.or.us Thu Oct 6 09:27:32 2016 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2016 16:27:32 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Apprenticeship study looks at ODOT/BOLI efforts to diversify the highway construction workforce Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072616E077B49@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.gif at 01D21FB2.C6FAF160] For Immediate Release October 6, 2016 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788, BOLI Shelley M. Snow, (503) 986-3438, ODOT Apprenticeship study looks at ODOT/BOLI efforts to diversify the highway construction workforce Despite gains, many apprentices face difficult and hostile work environments PORTLAND, OR-A new ODOT/BOLI-commissioned report finds that Oregon's construction workforce is growing more diverse, although significant barriers remain for women and people of color seeking careers in the construction trades. Oregon is one of only a handful of states that takes advantage of federal highway funding to draw more women and people of color into highway construction apprenticeships. Funds are used in part for supportive services, including helping with transportation costs, child care and job readiness supplies such as tools and specialty clothing for eligible apprentices. The report, conducted by Portland State University sociology professors Lindsey Wilkinson and Maura Kelly, represents part of an ongoing effort to track progress and identify barriers to apprenticeship success. In the report, the authors find that women and people of color were less likely than their white male counterparts to complete construction apprenticeships. However, apprentices who received ODOT/BOLI supportive services saw across-the-board increases in rates of completion. Women of color, for example, saw completion rates more than double when they received supportive services (56 percent when receiving services vs. 24 percent completion rate without). Although Oregon has the highest percentage of recently-enrolled female highway construction apprentices in the country, hostile and discriminatory workplaces continue to drive down apprenticeship completion rates for women and minorities. In the report, 60 percent of white women and 67 percent of women of color reported experiencing some form of direct discrimination on the highway construction jobsite. "Today's report underscores the need for proactive measures so that more women and people of color have access to good jobs and economic advancement," said Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. "Both our highway construction workforce and our transportation infrastructure itself are aging. Despite the gains we've made diversifying the construction workforce, more work is needed to ensure harassment-free workplaces where apprentices can thrive." Earlier this year, ODOT and BOLI launched a respectful workplaces initiative that emphasizes bystander intervention to address discrimination and increase apprenticeship retention rates. Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. (OTI) is developing the program as part of a two-year pilot program to boost completion rates and reduce harassment on highway construction job sites. "We will continue our work with BOLI and other partners to improve the opportunities for learning and developing professionals in the transportation trades," said ODOT Director Matt Garrett. "ODOT is committed to investing in the next generation of diverse, skilled workers to meet the demands of a 21st century transportation system." Jobs in the highway, street, and bridge construction industry - jobs that typically provide family-supporting wages with good benefits and little college debt - are projected to grow by more than 20 percent until 2022. In addition to tracking progress, the report includes recommendations to increase participation and completion rates among women and people of color: * Continue recruitment efforts * Promote respectful, harassment-free workplaces * Ensure equal opportunities during apprenticeship * Improve quality of on-the-job training * Continue financial supportive services and expand non-financial services, such as mentoring * Strengthen and expand pre-apprenticeship programs and retention services * Further expand awareness of ODOT/BOLI supportive services; and * Ongoing monitoring of highway construction workforce development program funds A copy of the report is available here. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 5043 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Oct 12 09:11:50 2016 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:11:50 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI finds substantial evidence in wage theft retaliation complaint Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072616E0785FB@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.gif at 01D223D6.7DC54720] For Immediate Release October 12, 2016 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 BOLI finds substantial evidence in wage theft retaliation complaint Commissioner's complaint alleged whistleblower abuse, threats of physical violence PORTLAND, OR-A Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) investigation of a construction contractor has found substantial evidence of whistleblower retaliation, the agency announced today. In February, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian filed a Commissioner's Complaint alleging that contractor Evans Williams and Tri-Star Flagging, LLC retaliated against employees cooperating with the agency's Wage and Hour Division during a separate investigation. Copies of the Tri-Star Flagging, LLC civil rights complaint are available here. "No worker should have to face termination or threats of physical violence for asserting their right to wages they've earned," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "We will protect whistleblowers and hold businesses accountable if they seek to intimidate workers stepping forward." The case will now move to the agency's Administrative Prosecution Unit, which will draft formal charges and set a date for hearing. Last year, the agency placed Evan Williams, his wife and multiple associated entities on the list of companies ineligible to work on public projects in the state, including Tri-Star Flagging, LLC, Portland Flagging, LLC dba AD Traffic Control Services, GNC Construction Services, Phoenix Construction Group, Inc., Portland Safety Equipment, LLC, and SBG Construction Services, LLC. In 2013, BOLI secured $104,000 in fringe benefit wages for 37 Tri-Star employees who worked as flaggers on the Sellwood Bridge project in Multnomah County. Oregon law empowers the labor commissioner to file a complaint on behalf of the people of Oregon when the commissioner has reason to believe an unlawful practice - such as retaliation against whistleblowing - has occurred. The civil rights complaint is the eighth filed by Commissioner Avakian. A Commissioner's Complaint in 2014 against Daimler Trucks North America resulted in a record $2.4 million civil rights settlement. Workers can file a civil rights complaint if they believe that they are being retaliated against by contacting the Civil Rights Division at crdemail at boli.state.or.us or by calling (971) 673-0764. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 5043 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Thu Oct 27 15:13:56 2016 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2016 22:13:56 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?NEWS_RELEASE:_BOLI=92s_32nd_Annual_Employment_Law_Confer?= =?Windows-1252?Q?ence_will_help_employers_navigate_workplace_rules?= Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072616E080DA0@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.gif at 01D23058.D6FE48D0] For Immediate Release October 27, 2016 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 BOLI?s 32nd Annual Employment Law Conference will help employers navigate workplace rules Compliance experts will join top employment law attorneys to focus on new protections and workplace requirements Portland, OR?The Bureau of Labor and Industries will hold its 32nd Annual Employment Law Conference on November 15th and 16th at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, the agency announced today. The state?s premier employer training event will feature 25 sessions on frequently requested topics such as workplace harassment, rightful discharge, recent U.S. Department of Labor overtime changes, Oregon?s sick time law and mental health accommodations in the workplace. ?The conference combines BOLI compliance experts with Oregon?s top employment law attorneys to provide the latest and most effective tools to keep employers in compliance,? said Jennifer Germundson, manager of the agency?s Technical Assistance Program. ?Each year we field more than 25,000 calls from employers looking to keep up-to-date on changing workplace requirements. This conference will feature what employers need to know about questions we hear the most.? The conference agenda and registration information can be found on BOLI?s website. Registration is nearing capacity, so organizers encourage potential attendees to make reservations soon. The full conference is available for $499 per attendee, with one-day conference passes also available for $369 per person. Interested employers can also email the agency at bolita at boli.state.or.us or call (971) 673-0824. ?Technical assistance supports employers so that they can focus on creating jobs and contributing to local economies around the state,? said Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. ?I?m excited about this year?s conference and the fact that the program has extended its reach to help more businesses succeed.? In the past five years, BOLI has nearly tripled the number of public and on-site compliance seminars, with more than 250 now held each year. In addition, the number of employers calling the employer hotline has increased by 65 percent. Attendance at the Employment Law Conference has seen a forty percent since 2013. This year?s conference will answer questions such as: ? How long am I required to keep employment records like applications, I-9 forms or payroll records? ? How do I handle a request for workplace accommodation? ? What are the most common employer mistakes that lead to employment claims and how can I avoid them? ? What does my business need to know about the new I-9 form and immigration law compliance? In addition to training sessions, the conference will host representatives from the Workers? Compensation Division, Secretary of State?s Small Business Ombudsman, Division of Child Support, Department of Revenue, Oregon Retirement Savings Plan, Oregon Employment Department?s Labor Market Research and the Oregon Insurance Division. For more information about BOLI?s efforts to support Oregon employers and protect Oregon?s workforce, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 5043 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: