The Department of Labor was created in 1913 "to protect the wage-earners of the United States". In 1965, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs was created to ensure that federal contractors and their subcontractors do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability or veteran status; in 1968, sex discrimination was also prohibited.
The Labor Department's report on the Glass Ceiling Initiative acknowledges this mandate, yet emphasizes how much the Department hopes to "encourage" companies to comply voluntarily and to recognize that current demographic realities make discrimination less pragmatic and economical. As Secretary Martin puts it, "If our end game is to compete successfully in today's global market, then we have to unleash the full potential of the American work force." The overriding concern of this Department of Labor seems to be helping American companies compete, not protecting wage-earners.
When DataLine raised the issue of whether the Department of Labor was losing sight of its charter, one Department spokesperson was offended by the question. Offensive or not, the question is valid and important. Helping American companies be more competitive is appropriately the concern of the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. For Labor to focus on these issues not only dilutes their work, it also raises the prospect of conflicts of interest.
A Labor spokesperson said, "the department will not hesitate to use our 500-pound hammer, and that includes ... debarring companies from federal contracts". The potency of this "500 pound hammer" is diminished if it is not used. Out of 250,000 federal contractors, approximately 50 have been barred from federal contracts for discrimination, according to the department.
Ed Note: In 1994, despite the transition to a Democratic administration, the Department of Labor is still propagating this theme of "let's help companies voluntarily comply" that was created and repeated by the previous Republican administrations. We think this is deplorable, and represents avoidance on the part of the Clinton Administration. The basic job of this branch of the executive arm of the government is to enforce the law.
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