Legislators Urge Chao to Reconsider Eliminating Women'sBureau Offices

Jan. 9, 2002
A group of 69 legislators sent a letter to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, urging her to reconsider eliminating the regional offices for the Women's Bureau.

A bipartisan group of 69 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Secretary Elaine Chao, urging the Department of Labor to reconsider its decision to eliminate regional offices for the Women''s Bureau.

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.) learned of the department''s decision through women''s advocacy organizations and decided to organize the letter to Chao.

"Regional offices have provided specialized information about community training programs and work supports to help low-income and low-skilled women find the help they need," the lawmakers wrote. "Through workshops, conferences, partnerships with local organizations, and other types of outreach, these offices address sexual harassment and other forms of workplace discrimination based on sex, domestic violence, child care, and other pressing concerns of women in the labor force today."

Since its creation in the 1920s, through both Democratic and Republican administrations, the Women''s Bureau has carried out its mission of promoting the welfare of working women, improving their working conditions, increasing their efficiency, and advancing their opportunities for profitable employment. The 10 Women''s Bureau Regional Offices play a crucial role in ensuring that this mission is carried out effectively at the local level, according to DeLauro.

"We are particularly concerned that the elimination of the Women''s Bureau Regional Offices, coming not long after the Department eliminated the Equal Pay Matters Initiative, is sending an unfortunate signal that the Administration is placing a low priority on the concerns of working women," the lawmakers concluded. "We urge you to vigorously support the Women''s Bureau Regional Offices and the critical work they do for America''s working women."

See related article "Bush Considers Closing Women''s Bureau Offices, Repeals Contractor Rules."

by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers and why do they matter?

March 13, 2025
From raw materials to final products, each supplier tier poses risks and liabilities that can impact your organization. Avetta's supply chain management software offers peace ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!