(Wethersfield, CT) – Workers and businesses across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will benefit from the addition of the Connecticut Department of Labor to a reciprocity agreement between six neighboring states. This powerful collaborative shares data and intelligence to fortify worker protections, support businesses and strengthen labor law enforcement.
The multistate alliance now includes the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the Connecticut Department of Labor, the State of Delaware Department of Labor, the State of Maryland Department of Labor, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New York State Department of Labor.
“Through the strategic sharing of data, intelligence and resources, we are better equipped to combat violations, level the playing field for businesses and ensure workers are treated with the dignity they deserve,” said New Jersey Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “By forming a united front, we are expanding our reach beyond state lines to strengthen our capacity to enforce labor laws and enhance the economic landscape.”
“This alliance will help the Connecticut Department of Labor better protect our workforce and hold employers accountable for labor law violations,” said Connecticut Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo. “The collaboration brings strength to our collective work; with this expanded reach, we prevent bad actors from closing down operations in one state only to re-open them in another. We thank our partner states for all of their work to establish the alliance and for inviting Connecticut to participate.”
“Protecting workers and ensuring businesses play by the rules doesn’t stop at state lines,” said Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania is deeply committed to enforcing labor laws, combating wage theft, and standing up for workers who deserve fair pay and safe workplaces. This expanded multistate alliance strengthens our ability to hold bad actors accountable, support responsible employers, and protect workers across the region.”
The first tristate reciprocity alliance was formed in 2019 by the labor departments of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to enhance labor regulations and worker protections across the state lines.
"This six-state partnership exemplifies our shared vision for a just and equitable workplace environment," said Delaware Department of Labor Secretary LaKresha Moultrie. "This interstate agreement ensures more workers in our region receive the protection, dignity, and respect they deserve."
The Multistate Agreement facilitates the seamless sharing of information and resources among the six states to address critical issues such as wage theft, employee misclassification, and other violations that threaten economic stability.
"Ensuring workers are protected is a priority for Maryland," said Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu. "Strengthening ties to our sister states for data sharing, referrals, and joint investigations will help us make sure labor standards are honored across our borders. Maryland is excited to move forward with this expanded collaboration."
“Safeguarding and empowering our workforce is at the core of our mission at the New York State Department of Labor and we are proud to join this partnership to strengthen coordination with our neighbors,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “All workers deserve to be protected, and this alliance will help to ensure safe workplaces across all of our regions. I thank our partners on this fruitful collaboration that continues to break down barriers so we can better serve those who live and work in our states.”
The agreement’s expansion underscores the importance of regional cooperation in labor regulation and sets a new standard for interstate agreements. The participating states are committed to ongoing dialogue and cooperation to ensure the coalition can adapt to new challenges in the labor market to further the success of the partnership.
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For Immediate Release: January 14, 2026