Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson released the following statement regarding the state budget bill:
“I commend the entire North Carolina General Assembly, along with House and Senate leadership, for their tireless efforts during the short session to present a proposed budget that works to help our great state and all North Carolinians.
I am pleased that the budget rewards state employees by providing an additional 1% raise, for a total salary increase of 3.5%. Over the biennium, our hard-working state employees have received an overall increase of 6%. Additionally, the budget provides funding for labor market salary adjustments to address staffing issues in order to help recruit and retain qualified staff. Our state employees serve in critical functions across government, and this is the least we can do to show our appreciation. My hope is that the House, Senate and the Governor will continue to recognize our state employees by offering additional compensation benefits in the future.
The budget conference report also included policy changes to the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act that were requested by my office. One significant change is extending the statute of limitations for issuing citations resulting from OSH inspections. I appreciate the General Assembly’s receptiveness to our department’s priorities.
Taken together, these changes will build the morale of NCDOL employees and strengthen our ability to protect the health and safety of North Carolinians.”
Josh Dobson
Commissioner of Labor