Labor Department Releases Data on Union Membership Rates in 2013

By Edwin S. Hopson

On January 24, 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released 2013 data on union membership in both the private and public sectors.

The statistics are virtually unchanged from 2012.  In 2013, BLS reported that the union membership rate overall was 11.3%, just as it was in 2012.  The number of workers belonging to unions was 14.5 million.  BLS noted that in 1983, the first year that comparable data is available, there were 17.7 million workers belonging to unions and the membership rate was 20.1%.

New I-9 Forms Must Now Be Used, Starting Today, According to USCIS

By Glen M. Krebs

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is reminding all employers that beginning today, May 7, 2013, they must start using the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (Revision 03/08/13)N for all new hires and reverifications.

All employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each employee hired to work in the United States.

Note: the revision date for the new Form I-9 is printed on the lower left corner of the form. Also, employers need not and should not complete a new Form I-9 for existing employees if a properly completed Form I-9 is on file.

USCIS advises that a Spanish version of Form I-9 (revision 03/08/13)N is available on its website for use in Puerto Rico only.  Spanish-speaking employers and employees in the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and other U.S. territories may use the Spanish version for reference, but must complete and retain the English version of the I-9 form.

The revised forms are available at www.uscis.gov/I-9. And for more information, you may call 888-464-4218. Government representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  USCIS also maintains a website, I-9 Central, to support Form I-9 users.

To order forms, you can contact USCIS at 1-800-870-3676. For free downloadable forms and information on USCIS programs, immigration laws, regulations, and procedures, you can visit www.uscis.gov.

 

Senate Committee to Hold Executive Session on Thomas Perez’ Nomination to Labor Secretary

By Edwin S. Hopson

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions has announced it is going to conduct an executive session on May 8, 2013, starting at 10 a.m. on the nomination of Thomas Perez to be U.S. Secretary of Labor.  A number of Republican Senators have voiced possible opposition to Perez’ nomination.  Since the Democrats constitute the majority on the HELP committee, it is assumed that Perez’ nomination will ultimately be voted favorably out of committee.