Our DOL November 2021

Tyrone Waklatsi’s experience as a two-time Iraq war veteran gives him the unique perspective to be an effective advocate and ally to New York State veterans in his role as Veterans’ Program Coordinator. 

By Aaron Fallon

On Veterans Day, we thank and honor those who bravely fought to protect our country during times of war. It is because of their service, dedication, and fortitude that the United States of America remains a united and strong nation. At the New York State Department of Labor, we proudly offer Priority of Service to our heroes. For more information on NYS DOL services for veterans, please visit: dol.ny.gov/services-veterans.  

Just a few months after launching the historic Excluded Workers Fund, the DOL is winding down the program having provided relief payments to more than 130,000 New Yorkers. Nearly all of the $2 billion Fund has been distributed with more than 99% of approved applicants receiving the maximum funding amount of $15,600. 

DOL leaders collaborated with legislators and community partners statewide to promote the program and distribute funds in record time. About 350,000 applications were processed, each one going through several advanced fraud detection measures to ensure funds went to eligible applicants, not scammers. Given the tremendous response to the fund, combined with a notably efficient review and payment process, the DOL stopped accepting applications on October 8.

The Fund was created to support New Yorkers who could not get unemployment, pandemic, or other federal relief benefits. It is the first entirely state-run and state-funded program in the country to support workers who did not qualify for government-issued economic relief.

Every day we are hearing more inspiring stories from recipients. Here are a couple:

“The Fund changed my life so much. I was able to pay overdue rent, get back up to date on my payments, pay off electricity, internet, and was even able to buy school uniforms for my daughter.”

“I am ecstatic with the relief from the Fund. I was able to reunite with my son. I was able to move to a new home. It improved and changed my life!”

We are incredibly proud of those in our DOL family who contributed to this program, which has had a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of tens of thousands of New Yorkers.

The New York State Department of Labor prides itself on protecting New Yorkers in the workplace. Recently, our Division of Safety Health’s On-Site Consultation Program was recognized for going above and beyond to provide service to a New York State employer. Congratulations to our team on a job well done! Read all about it at https://www.osha.gov/successstories/ny-noise.

New York continues to build our registered apprenticeship programs better and more successfully than anyone else!

The type of training that apprenticeships provide is key as we address the shifting needs and the new world of work created by the pandemic.
Apprenticeship remains a time-honored workforce development model – one that allows businesses to develop a skilled workforce without losing valuable production time. The idea is simple: Folks earn while they learn. 

At the DOL, our mission has always been grounded in making sure that every New Yorker has an opportunity to find a career they love, and not just a job. Apprenticeships provide a pathway to a career with a family sustaining wage and benefits, and they 
are helping to fill the skills gaps in our workforce while moving New York forward!

The New York State Department of Labor is proud to be a part of celebrating our apprentices and National Apprenticeship Week! 

By Daniel Gorman

The seed for what would become Native American Heritage Month began with a man named Dr. Arthur C. Parker, in Rochester, New York. Parker, a Seneca Indian, was the first proponent of a day to celebrate the “First Americans”. The first American Indian Day was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916, but it wasn’t until 1990 when President George H. W. Bush approved a resolution designating November “National American Indian Heritage Month.” 

This November, we honor the rich cultures and traditions of Native People everywhere, from Alaska to Hawaii, and especially here in New York. The “First Americans” have provided innumerable cultural contributions to this country, and we hope you will take the time to learn more about the artists, doctors, war heroes and champions of Native American rights who sprung from the hundreds of tribes across the country.  And we hope you’ll support the peoples of our own state tribes: the Cayuga, Tuscarora, Tonawanda, Shinnecock, Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, and the Seneca. By visiting businesses owned by Native Americans or donating to a cause in support of Native Americans here in New York, you can give back to a community that has given so much to this state. 

While it may be easy to have a package arrive at your door with the click of a button, shopping locally has its advantages too. It supports your community, creates jobs, and reduces your carbon footprint. As businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to show your support. On November 27, celebrate Small Business Saturday by doing some of your holiday shopping at a locally owned businesses in your area.  Here are some of the ways you can support our small businesses! 

Each year, the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign collects new unwrapped toys and distributes them to children in need to bring them some Christmas joy. The goal of the campaign is to send a message of hope to economically disadvantaged children.

If you would like to spread a little holiday cheer to children in need, drop an unwrapped toy in one of the collection boxes located near each entrance in Building 12. Or you can donate online at toysfortots.org. The toy collection will begin on November 17, 2021 and run through Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Since 1947, more that 272 million children have received holiday cheer through the Marine Toys for Tots program. Last year alone, Toys for Tots distributed toys to 7.4 million children in over 800 communities nationwide. 

More information on the Toys for Tots campaign can be found on the intranet.