Obama hails veterans, asks companies to hire them
Lily Kuo
Fri Nov 11 2011 3:00 PM
ARLINGTON, Virginia (Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged business owners on
Friday to hire military personnel returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, as
he marked Veterans Day and declared that "the tide of war is
receding."
Weaving homage to the troops between references to his foreign policy triumphs,
including the May killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Obama highlighted
his administration's efforts to help veterans find work in a tough economy.
"At a time when America needs all hands on deck, they have the skills and
strength to help lead the way," Obama told a ceremony at the tomb of the
unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on a chilly but
bright fall morning.
"On this Veterans Day, I ask every American: recruit our veterans. If
you're a business owner, hire them. If you're a community leader -- a mayor, a
pastor or a preacher -- call on them to join your efforts," Obama said.
Before speaking, Obama took part in a wreath-laying ceremony and stood, head
bowed and hands clasped, to mark a moment of silence. He then stepped back as
Taps was played.
Obama faces the task of convincing voters that he has a plan to restore the U.S.
economy and curb unemployment as he campaigns for re-election next year.
Tax breaks to encourage U.S. firms to hire veterans are one of only two parts
of Democrat Obama's $447 billion jobs package to so far gain backing from
Republicans in Congress, who helped pass the measure in the U.S. Senate on
Thursday.
Veterans who served after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States
face much higher jobless rates than the rest of the workforce, notching 12.1
percent last month versus a national average of 9.0 percent, and their ranks
may grow.
The United States is reducing its troop strength in Afghanistan and will
withdraw its remaining 40,000 troops in Iraq by the end of this year.
"Because of their incredible efforts, we can stand here today and say with
confidence the tide of war is receding. In just a few weeks, the long war in
Iraq will finally come to an end. Our transition in Afghanistan is moving
forward. And my fellow Americans, our troops are coming home," Obama said.
View this article on the Chicago Tribune Website:
http://mobile.chicagotribune.com/p.p?a=rp&postId=1159181&m=b&sessionToken=&postUserId=54
Plan to boost employment for disabled workers
Associated Press
December 8, 2011, 2:19 p.m.
The Obama administration wants to use the power of government purchasing to help increase the number of disabled people in the workforce, proposing to require federal contractors to set a goal of having disabled workers make up at least 7% of their employees.
Labor officials called the plan one of the most significant efforts to protect the rights of disabled workers since passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act in 1990.
"This is really a historic moment in the civil rights movement in America," said Patricia Shiu, director of the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Federal contractors and subcontractors account for nearly a quarter of the nation's workforce. The proposal could have a ripple effect across the country and help bring down the 13% unemployment rate for disabled workers, which is about 11/2 times the rate of those without disabilities.
There are about 200,000 federal contractors taking in approximately $700 billion annually in contracts.
The government long has used the leverage of federal spending to promote affirmative action in the hiring of women and minorities. The new rule would, for the first time, give that same treatment to people with disabilities.
The proposed rule is not a quota. It would require companies to devote more resources to recruiting efforts to hire more disabled workers, improve training programs and update data collection.
Contractors would have to keep detailed records showing that they were complying. The rule would require them to list job openings to increase their pool of qualified applicants.
"For nearly 40 years, the rules have said that contractors simply need to make a 'good faith' effort to recruit and hire people with disabilities," Shiu said. "Clearly, that's not working."
The Labor Department will take comments on the rule for 60 days before considering final approval next year.
Disability advocates praised the rule.
"It has been proven again and again that investing in opportunities for people with disabilities are repaid tenfold," said Lara Schwartz, spokeswoman for the American Assn. of People With Disabilities. "When more people have the opportunity to earn a living, pay taxes, live independently, the entire nation benefits."
Businesses have had mixed reactions to the plan, which could prove easier for larger companies to put in place than smaller ones that face increased costs and paperwork.
View this article at the LA Times website:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-disabled-jobs-20111208,0,5256619.story
PRESS RELEASE
8-18-11
President Signs Order to Promote Diversity and Inclusion
in the Federal Workforce
EEOC Chair Berrien to Help Establish Government-Wide Initiative
WASHINGTON - President Obama today signed an executive order to promote equal employment opportunity, diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce, making federal workplaces models that tap talents from all segments of society.
The order directs U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director John Berry and Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Jeff Zients, in coordination with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien and the President's Management Council (PMC), to establish a government-wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce; develop a government-wide strategic plan and guidance for agency-specific plans within 90 days; identify best practices to improve agency efforts; and establish a system for reporting on agency progress.
The plans should identify strategies to remove barriers to equal opportunity in federal government recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, professional development and training. Within 120 days after the government-wide plan is released, each agency must to issue its own agency-specific Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan.
"President Obama's Executive Order reinforces the leadership that federal agencies can play in ensuring that every qualified worker has an equal opportunity to succeed and advance in the workplace," Chair Berrien said. "The Executive Order will help the nation fulfill the promise of equal employment opportunity, in every workplace, beginning with the federal government."
The full text of the President's executive order, "Establishing a Coordinated Government-Wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce," is available on-line at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/08/18/executive-order-establishing-coordinated-government-wide-initiative-prom
The EEOC enforces the nation's laws against employment discrimination. More information is available on the EEOC's website: www.eeoc.gov
Additional information on the federal sector EEO process can be found at www.eeoc.gov/federal/.
Read the complete article at the Law360 Website:
http://www.law360.com/articles/152089