Safety, Labor Rights Focus of DOL’s First Workers’ Voice Summit

Leaders of the Biden Administration’s labor protection agencies doubled down on their support for rank-and-file workers at the US Labor Department’s first Workers’ Voice Summit in Washington.

The three-day event mixes workers—often wearing union or organization t-shirts—with government officials in business dress. “It is important for us to hear directly from workers,” Doug Parker, assistant secretary for OSHA, told the audience.

The gathering, organized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, emphasized inclusion of workers who are often underrepresented in policy considerations—such as women, immigrants, low-wage employees, and people of color.

“We want to make sure the Department of Labor ...