U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer concluded a six-state tour across New England as part of the department’s America at Work listening initiative. The trip included stops in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont. The tour was timed ahead of Labor Day and the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
During her visit, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer met with workers from various sectors including seafood processing, shipbuilding, banking, firefighting, and agriculture. She emphasized the role of skilled labor and educational programs in supporting local economies and national security.
“President Trump has reclaimed Labor Day by building an economy that puts the American Worker First. Whether they are benefiting from fair trade deals, lower taxes, or the cheapest gas prices since the President’s first term, it was energizing to hear from workers across the Northeast who are thriving thanks to the return of America First leadership,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “This Labor Day, we celebrate these American Workers, who are the backbone of our nation, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring they are always put first.”
In Maine, she toured Ready Seafood with members of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association to discuss efforts aimed at strengthening domestic seafood competitiveness through executive actions addressing trade practices. At Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire, she spoke with apprentices working on U.S. Navy submarine modernization projects and highlighted support for job training in manufacturing.
Later in New Hampshire at a Portsmouth restaurant called The Goat, she discussed how proposed legislation could eliminate taxes on tips for service industry employees.
While in Boston, Massachusetts, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer participated in a roundtable with State Street Corp., focusing on recent executive orders affecting retirement security policy and efforts to make alternative assets more accessible for 401(k) investors by removing regulatory barriers. She referenced actions taken by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) regarding guidance changes related to investment options for retirement plans.
She also addressed measures aimed at lowering prescription drug costs through improved transparency among pharmacy benefit managers so employers can negotiate better prices for their employees’ medications.
The Secretary visited Axon Enterprise Inc.’s Boston office to observe public safety technology demonstrations and discuss workforce training initiatives relevant to policing innovation.
In Rhode Island’s Cranston Fire Department facility, she joined firefighters during a hazardous materials training session for apprenticeships—emphasizing new standards developed by the International Association of Fire Fighters intended to enhance responder training nationwide.
Her stop in Connecticut included a tour of General Dynamics’ active learning center focused on developing skills needed for submarine construction workforces supporting U.S. Navy contracts.
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer concluded her regional visit at Miller Farm in Vernon, Vermont—a multi-generation dairy operation—where she met with farm leaders about challenges facing rural agricultural communities.
The America at Work listening tour is set to continue as Secretary Chavez-DeRemer seeks further input from workers around the country about federal labor policies.
