Press Release

Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on new Federal Workforce Legislation

The AFL-CIO applauds Congress for the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which was signed into law by President Obama this week. The legislation is the final product of more than eleven years of determined effort by Congressional members and staff.   This crucial legislation stands to increase the voice of workers in the federal workforce development system and sets the public policy foundation for greater career counseling in the workplace. It also recognizes the value of joint labor-management registered apprenticeship programs by including their representatives among the members of workforce development boards and mandating that these programs be listed as eligible providers of training. The new law acknowledges the enduring contribution of unions and joint labor-management training partnerships in building the skills of the American workforce.

The AFL-CIO, its state labor federations, central labor councils, and community-based organizations will work to see that WIOA is implemented in a manner that builds a sustainable economy with broadly shared prosperity.

Contact: Josh Goldstein (202) 637-5018