Dept. of Labor Announces New Ombuds for Energy Employees

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the appointment of Malcolm Nelson to serve as the Ombudsman for Part E of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Nelson's appointment fills the vacancy left by the departure of the first ombudsman, Donald Shalhoub. The EEOICPA ombuds was created by the Defense Authorization Act of 2005 to provide information to employees on the benefits available and is required to issue an annual report to Congress concerning complaints, grievances and requests for assistance received that year. Nelson, a career government attorney, most recently served as general counsel for the Benefits Review Board. (DOL News Release.)