VERNON, VT – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer this week wrapped up a six-state swing through New England – visiting Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont – as part of her nationwide America at Work listening tour. Ahead of Labor Day and the department’s official launch of America’s 250th birthday celebration, the Secretary met with lobstermen, shipbuilders, service members, bankers, firefighters, and dairy farmers to highlight the contributions of skilled workers and the importance of educational pipelines in strengthening local communities and bolstering America’s economic 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.”Maine and New HampshireIn Maine, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer joined the Maine Lobstermen’s Association on a tour of Ready Seafood, a live lobster packing and distribution facility. She highlighted how President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness is addressing unfair trade practices and leveling the playing field for American workers. She also stressed how President Trump’s free and fair-trade deals are reviving America’s seafood industry by allowing fishermen to compete against cheap, unregulated imports. She then toured the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where she met with workers and service members modernizing the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet. At the naval yard, she spoke with apprentices and recent graduates benefiting from President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance while reinforcing the department’s commitment to supporting on-the-job training opportunities in critical sectors like additive manufacturing. The Secretary concluded the day in New Hampshire at The Goat, a local Portsmouth restaurant, where she talked to staff about their efforts to give back to the community. President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will support these employees by eliminating taxes on tips, which helps them keep more of their hard-earned money.MassachusettsIn Boston, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer joined a roundtable discussion with State Street Corp. representatives to discuss how President Trump’s recent executive orders are shaping the Labor Department’s priorities. She highlighted the Trump Administration’s efforts to expand retirement security through the Executive Order on Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors, which clears red tape and encourages responsible fiduciaries, not Washington bureaucrats, to make the best retirement decisions for hardworking Americans. She pointed to recent action taken by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration to rescind guidance under the Biden administration that discouraged fiduciaries from considering alternative assets in 401(k) retirement plan investment menus.The Secretary also emphasized the Executive Order on Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis, pointing to EBSA’s request for public input on ways to make it easier for small employers to join high-quality, low-cost options known as Pooled Employer Plans. This request for information is a key step toward identifying ways to help smaller employers lower costs and improve retirement outcomes for their employees.She further discussed the Executive Order on Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First, noting the department’s role in improving pharmacy benefit manager transparency so employers can negotiate lower prescription drug costs for their workers.Later, the Secretary visited Axon Enterprise Inc.’s Boston location, where she observed a TASER live-fire demonstration and learned more about the company’s efforts to integrate advanced technology into policing and public safety. She also discussed Axon’s workforce training initiatives that equip employees with the skills needed to advance innovation in public safety technology.Rhode Island In Cranston, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer visited the Cranston Fire Department to have lunch with firefighters and participate in a Hazardous Materials Training Class for firefighter apprentices. She emphasized the importance of Registered Apprenticeships in preparing the next generation of first responders and highlighted the International Association of Fire Fighters’ new apprenticeship standards, which strengthen training for first responders and advance President Trump’s goal of reaching one million active apprentices nationwide.ConnecticutIn New London, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer toured General Dynamics’ active learning center to highlight the company’s role in building a skilled workforce to support the construction of submarines for the U.S. Navy. She emphasized the importance of strong training pipelines to ensure American workers have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, while reinforcing the department’s commitment to bolstering workforce development programs.Vermont In Vernon, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer visited Miller Farm, a fifth-generation organic dairy farm. She toured the calf hutches, milking facilities, and processing operations while meeting with farm leadership to discuss challenges facing dairy farmers. The Secretary highlighted how family farms like Miller Farm are vital to sustaining rural communities and strengthening America’s agricultural workforce.The America at Work listening tour will continue in the weeks ahead as Secretary Chavez-DeRemer travels the country to hear directly from workers, gather their feedback, and ensure their voices shape the pro-growth, pro-worker policies being crafted in Washington.