"A giant banner featuring a serious-looking Donald Trump now hangs down the front of the Department of Labor's Washington DC office. Covering the windows of nearly three floors, the poster reads: American Workers FIRST. Mr President, I invite you see your big beautiful face on a banner in front of the Department of Labor because you are really the transformational president of the American worker, the labor secretary, Lori Chavez-DeReme, said last month at a cabinet meeting with the president."
"Everyone thinks it's a joke because it is a joke. There are parts of the building that have not been fixed. We have closed bathrooms all over the place. The front door doesn't work, it's been broken for two months, but we have money for a stupid banner, said one worker, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution."
"Employees at the department and labor advocates say the Trump administration is undermining the agency's mission to foster and promote the welfare of job seekers, wage earners and retirees through drastic cuts, deregulations that include pay cuts for workers, and mistreatment of those employed at the agency. About 20% of staff at the US Department of Labor have resigned or retired ahead of threatened cuts at the agency."
A giant Trump banner now covers nearly three floors of the Department of Labor's Washington DC office, proclaiming 'American Workers FIRST.' Agency staff report building disrepair, closed bathrooms, a broken front door and fear of retribution for speaking out. The labor secretary publicly praised the president as transformational for American workers. Employees and labor advocates say leadership is pursuing drastic cuts and nearly 150 deregulatory actions that weaken pay and overtime protections, including proposals affecting 3.7 million domestic care workers. About 20% of staff have resigned or retired ahead of threatened cuts, and international labor grants and leases face cancellations.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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