Alexis Herman Quotations

Education is important because, first of all, people need to know that discrimination still exists. It is still real in the workplace, and we should not take that for granted.

If we can't begin to agree on fundamentals, such as the elimination of the most abusive forms of child labor, then we really are not ready to march forward into the future.

Really, the potential for, first of all, any college graduate today is enormously good. These are good times for anyone with a college degree today, particularly African Americans. With a college degree today, you really breach the unemployment rate.

Unlike any other time in our history, we have to know that staying in school and getting an education is the most important thing you can do.

The public sector certainly includes the Department of Labor. Those are jobs that are available. They are open and they are good paying jobs. The government as a whole has been actually retrenching under President Clinton's leadership.

We have had actually a decline in government service overall, but the growth is in high-tech areas, specialty areas in the Labor Department and other departments.

It is very important that our young people have constructive early work experiences. But it is equally important that their jobs are safe and complement their education, rather than complete it.

Well, I tell young people to be successful today that, first of all, that what you learn today directly impacts what you earn tomorrow. This is a knowledge-based economy.

My overall message for labor members is... that we understand that the benefits of trade are clear, but the disruption and the dislocation are painfully concentrated and we can't ignore them.

This can not be about a race to the bottom.

But the real growth I must say in terms of the public sector for the Labor Department is really at state and local levels. That's where the real opportunities are today.

The fact of the matter is, this is a very dynamic economy we have, and in this dynamic economy, you have a lot of job gains, but you also have job loss.

To me, it is a process, a process that starts with raising awareness, engaging international partners on this issue, and being committed to a different course of action.

The fact of the matter is, the increasing impact of technology is fueling productivity,

I am gratified personally and for my family that the independent counsel has terminated his investigation,

I always say we don't have a worker shortage in this country, we have a skill shortage, ... This is an economy that needs skilled workers and what we're trying to do is manage the change that is taking place and help provide those skills so that more positions can be filled.

I think it's a major victory for both parties, ... That's what collective bargaining is all about.

I think that clearly this report indicates that we really don't have inflationary pressures on the economy,

I think this report brings in good news for the American economy and the American worker, ... We continue to add jobs, in part due to the healthy showing in the construction industry.

I think the response from the market is basically an indication that everyone believes that we're going to continue to this solid path of growth that we've been on, that the economy continues to perform, ... Productivity is very much in line with wage gains, so I don't think we see any signs of inflation on the horizon.

Overall I think it's fair to say we're seeing some impact of interest rate adjustments affecting the overall economy, ... It's clear we have certain skill shortages in certain sectors of the economy, but overall we have a majority of sectors that continue to hire. We have a skills shortage, not a labor shortage.

I think this is a very strong report,

We have to preach the savings gospel message, ... It's an important message for all Americans today.

We don't see that leading to any inflationary pressures on the economy.

We believe the savings will be a good return on the investment (by employers),

The president and I are obviously pleased that both parties have agreed to come back to the table, ... The key now is for both parties to find a new way to look at the issues and find a solution.

We want to at least create the framing of a consensus position on the part of the commission members,

Inclusion and fairness in the workplace . . . is not simply the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do.

When you look at the fact that real wage gains are very much in line with productivity, I do not believe that we have inflationary pressures on the economy, ... As long as we can continue to see that picture in the future, then I think we should not be extraordinarily concerned about inflationary pressures.

There is no substitute really for learning about the world of work and being in the world of work. You can do that through internships. You can do it through summer job experiences or even from volunteer jobs in your local community. Strive early to get some kind of practical work experience.

This was the crucial step. Now we will have a debate on which states and the size of those states.

Today, my faith in the collective bargaining process has been reaffirmed,

This situation is a clear example of how the OFCCP must - and is entitled - to have reasonable access to the premises and records of companies which benefit from doing business with the federal government, ... Denying us that access cannot and will not be tolerated.

Both are averaging about 2 percent, ... That's the kind of balance we're looking for in the economy.

Bringing aboard more people did not slow us down, it sped us up, made us stronger,

I've asked leaders of the Teamsters Union and the United Parcel Service to meet with me today at the Labor Department and they have both agreed. I intend to talk with each party individually to find out what it will take to move these talks forward and to urge greater flexibility and a willingness to compromise to get back to the bargaining table,

Of greatest concern to me is the relationship of the manufacturing sector to the Asian market and the need to bring stability to that area,

This is fundamentally a day about paychecks and reality checks, ... Where's my 26 cents?

This is the first agreement that obligates a federal contractor to conduct self-examinations, make across-the-board salary adjustments at every facility and then report its results to the department,

They themselves said when they broke off talks yesterday ... that they were willing to continue the discussions. That said to me, 'There's still room here,'

It's a very strong, very solid report, ... Virtually every sector in the economy was growing.

It's going gangbusters, ... Overall, this is a very balanced report. I think it's much too premature to talk about inflationary pressures on the job market.

The biggest concern is the impact of the Asian situation on the manufacturing sector of the economy, ... We continue to be concerned about job declines in that area, but . . . the underpinnings of the economy are still very strong in other sectors.

The average wage gain has been approximately 3.8 percent. That has been very consistent for this year. That's been a modest growth in that area, ... In The Game .

Their presence here today is a clear signal of their commitment to redouble their efforts to try to reach a settlement, ... I urge them to stay at the table until they reach a settlement.

I'm encouraged in that I believe that both sides expressed a willingness to be more flexible in looking at their own differences,

I intend to talk with each party individually to find out what it will take to move these talks forward and to urge greater flexibility and a willingness to compromise to get back to the bargaining table,

in detail ... what it would take to get them back to the bargaining table. I made it clear that everyone involved must show greater flexibility and a willingness to compromise.

In their own filing today the Justice Department said that neither they nor the FBI concluded that I had done anything wrong and that is because I have not. These allegations have been false from the very beginning.

I have yet to go to a grocery store and buy a loaf of bread, and have the clerk tell me since you're a woman, you only have to pay 75 cents and not a dollar,

I really don't think we can make too much out of one month's report. I don't think it's enough for us to predict where the economy is headed right now.

I support the actions (Fed Chairman Alan) Greenspan is taking. I believe that they will take this report into consideration.

I certainly don't want to simply open up the floodgates and raise our own levels in terms of high-tech visas,

I am pleased that both sides have agreed to go back to the bargaining table, and I urge them to stay at the table until they reach a settlement, ... The key now is for both parties to find a new way to look at the issues and find the solution.

I don't want to have to train a new guy.

These figures show that our prosperity is propelling more and more Americans into the mainstream,