U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
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Office of Senator Russ Feingold | 202/224-5323

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Services for Wisconsinites: Casework - Labor

Cases my office works on relating to labor issues include unfair labor practices regulated under the Fair Labor Standards Act, plant closings as a result of foreign competition, federally prohibited discrimination in hiring or employment, and workers' compensation for federal employees.

Links

Department of Labor - www.dol.gov
National Labor Relations Board - www.nlrb.gov

Frequently asked questions

Can Senator Feingold help plant workers apply for additional federal retraining dollars if job losses are due to foreign competition?

My office can assist workers once they have applied for the money. Workers get application information and assistance through their Job Service office or from staff at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. I am often able to send a letter of support for a particular application to the United States Department of Labor.

What can I do if I have a problem involving a worker's compensation claim?

If you are not a federal employee, you should contact the State of Wisconsin, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) at (608)-266-1340. The DWD is responsible for monitoring, rulemaking and enforcement functions related to the operation of Wisconsin's Worker's Compensation system. Provision of funding for the program, as well as passage of laws governing its operation, fall under the Wisconsin State Legislature. Because this is a state program, it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Senate. You may wish to contact your state legislators for assistance with this program, as the state is the governing authority. Click here (www.legis.state.wi.us/waml) for information on how to contact your state legislators.

If you are a federal employee, see the information below.

I am a federal employee. How can I get information on the federal laws that govern workers' compensation benefits, such as entitlement to benefits, schedule awards, or appeal rights?

Workers' compensation benefits for federal employees are administered through the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP). For general information on regulations under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, you should visit the U.S. Department of Labor's website at www.dol.gov and click on Questions and Answers about the Federal Employees' Compensation Act Publication CA-550.
(www.dol.gov/dol/esa/public/regs/compliance/owcp/INDEXofResources.htm)

What can I do if I have a problem with my individual claim, such as an interruption of my benefits or a denial of a medical claim?

First, try to leave a message for your claims examiner by calling the OWCP office in Chicago, IL (312-596-7157). If the problem persists or you do not receive an answer, contact my office for assistance.

What can I do if I have a dispute with my employer involving wages, termination or unfair treatment in the workplace?

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division, enforces the terms of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). FLSA covers payment of minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor provisions and employer recordkeeping procedures. The Wage and Hour Division also enforces the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

For more information on federal labor laws, you may visit the DOL website at www.dol.gov. If you wish to file a complaint, you can contact the regional DOL office at: US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, 740 Regent Street, Suite 102, Madison, WI 53715. (608) 264-5221.

Federal law prohibits discriminatory practices in the workplace, including hiring, disciplinary and firing practices, which are based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or age. If you believe you have been treated unfairly because you belong to one of these protected classes, you may wish to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You should contact the EEOC immediately after the situation occurs, as there are deadlines for filing most discrimination complaints. For general information on federal laws prohibiting job discrimination and on how to file a complaint, you may visit the EEOC website at www.eeoc.gov/facts/qanda.html. To file a complaint, you should contact the regional EEOC office at: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 310 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800, Milwaukee, WI 53203-2292. (414) 297-1111.

How do I apply for a federal job??

USAJOBS offers worldwide job vacancy information, employment information fact sheets, job applications and forms and has on-line resume development and electronic transmission capabilities. The website address is www.usajobs.opm.gov America's Job Bank is a partnership between the US Department of Labor and the state operated public Employment Service. This computerized network links state Employment Service offices to provide job seekers with a large pool of active job opportunities and nationwide exposure for their resumes.