[Imc-newsroom] DOL to close women's offices

[peterm at shout.net]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
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>National Partnership Agency Watch Alert
>Friday, December 14, 2001
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>BUSH ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO CLOSE ALL REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE WOMEN'S
>BUREAU AT LABOR DEPARTMENT
>
>As part of our Agency Watch efforts, the National Partnership for Women &
>Families has learned that the Department of Labor's 2003 budget - currently
>being finalized - calls for the elimination of all the Regional Offices of
>the Women's Bureau. This follows on the heels of the elimination of the
>White House office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach, and the elimination
>of the Equal Pay Matters Initiative. Taken together, these actions
>constitute a real threat to the well being of working women throughout the
>country.
>
>The mission of the Women's Bureau remains - as it has through all Republican
>and Democratic administrations since 1920  - to promote the welfare of
>wage-earning women, improve their working conditions, increase their
>efficiency, and advance their opportunities for profitable employment.  The
>ten Regional Offices play an invaluable role in ensuring that this mission
>is carried out effectively at the local level.  These offices provide
>critical services, including educating women about their legal protections
>against workplace abuse, providing specialized information about training
>programs and workplace supports to help low-income and low-skilled women,
>and assisting women who need language or computer assistance. These offices
>also play a central role in meeting the Department's own goal of helping
>women become self-sufficient through increasing access to non-traditional
>occupations.
>
>These offices give the Department important information about the policies
>and issues that should be addressed locally to increase women's full
>participation in the workforce. It is clear that the elimination of these
>offices would end programs that are vital and necessary. Please act
>immediately to register your opposition to this pending decision. Before the
>budget is finalized, call Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao at (202) 693-6000
>and tell her you oppose the elimination of these offices.
>
>
>We are committed to improving the lives women and men by working towards
>balancing work & family, workplace fairness, and health care reform. Your
>continued support helps the National Partnership remain a leading force for
>change.  Tell your friends to GET INVOLVED!
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