EOLWD Labor Department Commissioners To Hold Office Hours In Springfield; Meet With Western Massachusetts Constituents Next Wednesday

Thursday, February 26^th, 2009--- Keeping with Governor Patrick’s commitment to be the governor of the whole state, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will send labor officials from the various agencies under the Department of Labor to hold open office hours in Springfield on Wednesday March 4^th, 2009. In addition, officials will tour area businesses and institutions, and hold a “Labor Standards Forum” in the evening at Holyoke Community College for an open discussion with the community regarding key initiatives of the Department of Labor.

“Governor Patrick has shown a steadfast commitment to a viable and real presence in communities in every corner of the Commonwealth,” said Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Suzanne M. Bump. “My staff looks forward to this great opportunity to meet with workers and businesses in Western Massachusetts, and to make sure that our office is responding to their needs, and taking their ideas and concerns into consideration.”

Director of the Department of Labor, George Noel will be accompanied by Department of Industrial Accidents Commissioner Paul Buckley, Division of Occupational Safety Commissioner Laura Marlin, Division of Apprentice Training Director David Wallace, and Division of Labor Relations Director Michael Byrnes.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: WEDNESDAY MARCH 4^TH, 2009

9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m. EOLWD Welcome Event

Who: Director of Labor George Noel
          Commissioner of the Department of Industrial Accidents Paul Buckley
          Commissioner of the Division of Occupational Safety Laura Marlin
          Director, Division of Apprentice Training David Wallace
          Director, Division of Labor Relations, Michael Byrnes

What: Director of Labor George Noel kicks off the day and introduces his team of commissioners and officials, as well as introduces key initiatives and the day’s events. Press availability immediately concluding speaking portion.

Where: Western MA Office of Governor Deval Patrick
             State Office Building Lobby
             436 Dwight St., Suite 300
             Springfield, MA 01003

10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m Information Fair and Office Hours

Who: Staff of all Department of Labor Agencies.

What: Department of Labor staff holds information fair with tables in lobby to distribute information, answer constituent questions, and discuss agency initiatives.

Where: Western MA Office of Governor Deval Patrick
             State Office Building
             436 Dwight St., Suite 300
             Springfield, MA 01003

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tour of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Who: Department of Industrial Accidents Commissioner Paul Buckley

What: Commissioner Buckley meets with MCLA leadership and tours campus to discuss their receipt of a DIA Safety Grant.

Where: MA College of Liberal Arts
375 Church St.
North Adams, MA 01247

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tour of IBEW Local 7 and Sheetmetal Workers Local 63

Who: Director of Labor George Noel and Director of the Division of Apprentice Training David Wallace.

What: Director Noel and Director Wallace visit registered apprentice programs to discuss their work and tour their training facility.

Where: IBEW Local 7   (1:30 – 3:00 p.m.)
             185 Industrial Ave.
             Springfield , MA

Sheetmetal Workers 63 (3:15 – 4:30 p.m.)
32 Stevens St., Springfield, MA

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tour of Simmons Bedding Co.

Who: Commissioner of the Division of Occupational Safety Laura Marlin

What: Commissioner Marlin will meet with the management of Simmons Bedding Co. in Agawam to tour their facilities. Simmons Bedding is a SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) Participant, and a model for workplace safety and health in the region.

Where: Simmons Bedding Co.
320 Bowles Rd.
Agawam, MA 01001

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tour of ATC Associates Inc.

Who: Commissioner of the Division of Occupational Safety Laura Marlin

What: Commissioner Marlin will meet with ATC management to discuss their work and take a tour of the training facility. ATC is a licensed asbestos and lead consulting and training provider. Founded in 1982, ATC employs 1,800 employees.

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tour of Hampshire County House of Corrections

Who: Commissioner of the Department of Industrial Accidents Paul Buckley.

What: Commissioner Buckley meets with Hampshire County Sheriff Robert Garvey and the Hampshire County House of Correction, which received a Division of Industrial Accidents Safety Grant, and tours the site.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EOLWD’s Labor Standards Public Forum

Who: Director Noel and Department of Labor Commissioners.

What: EOLWD’s Labor Directors and Commissioners hold a public forum to discuss agency roles, responsibilities, and goals. They will also take questions and comments from attendees.

Where: Holyoke Community College
303 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040

Media interested in covering site tours during the day should contact Alex Goldstein at Alex.Goldstein@state.ma.us or at 617-626-7108 to discuss logistics. Please note that this schedule is tentative and subject to revision. A finalized version of the schedule will be sent by close of business the day before, or on the morning of the day’s events.