Ortt Slams Dept of Labor Roadblocks, Commissioner

Today, State Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I,Ref-North Tonawanda) slammed the bureaucratic roadblocks that exist within the unresponsive New York State Department of Labor (DOL). After an ongoing dispute between the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties' Workforce Development Board (GLOW WDB) and DOL, Ortt requested to speak with the DOL Commissioner in an attempt to mediate the dispute and reach a viable solution. Unfortunately, after nearly two months of outreach efforts, the Department of Labor has yet to return any of Sen. Ortt or his staff’s phone calls and emails. 

“I’m disappointed that the New York State Department of Labor can’t manage a phone call over the course of two months. It is disrespectful to my constituents and telling of an office that is far too heavy-handed and far too unresponsive. I can only imagine the frustration felt by thousands of small businesses who have to deal with DOL’s incompetence and heavy-handedness on a daily basis. With a Governor known for his ‘hands-on’ approach to governing, I encourage him to reach out to his Department of Labor and inquire why Senators, small businesses, and New York State residents are being ignored.”

The dispute between GLOW WDB and the Department of Labor stems from allegations against DOL’s Financial Oversight and Technical Assistance (FOTA) unit. The alleged overreach has been the root of constant conflict and led to region-wide service inefficiencies.

###