–Senate Minority Leader: Blasts DOL For Decision On Layoff Notices
–DOL Decision Will Keep Many Employees ‘In the Dark’
–Says Obama Trying To ‘Insulate Himself’ From Layoff Reaction
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Tuesday
blasted the Department of Labor for announcing Monday that government
contractors do not have to give 60 days notice to employees that they
will be laid off due to the automatic spending cuts scheduled to begin
in January next year.
In remarks on the Senate floor, McConnell said the Labor
Department’s decision is a political one and blamed President Obama for
trying to “insulate himself from the political fallout” that might arise
from the layoff notices.
McConnell said the Labor Department’s decision will keep thousands
of employees “in the dark” about their employment futures.
The Monday letter from Assistant Labor Secretary Jan Oates excuses
firms from sending out layoff notices that are required by the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
In her letter, Oates says that it remains unclear if the
across-the-board spending cuts, called sequestration, will actually
occur in January.
McConnell and other Republicans have tried to place blame for the
scheduled across-the-board spending cuts on Obama and Democrats. They
accuse the Democrats of refusing to negotiate in good faith in
Congress’ Super Committee last fall.
Democrats counter that a budget agreement could have been reached
then — and still can be reached now — if Republicans abandon their
rigid opposition to any additional revenues.
** MNI Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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