The U.S. Department of Labor Monday unveiled a $116.5 billion budget request for fiscal 2011 during a two-hour online discussion. The budget focused on employment and training, innovation, jobs for youths and veterans, safety and health enforcement and protection of workers’ rights.

Fiscal 2011 begins Oct. 1 for federal departments.

Labor Department Secretary Hilda Solis began the Web chat by saying that a budget is much more than numbers.

“It tells a story. In fact, our budget is an expression of the department’s priorities, and further underscores our commitment to you, the public we serve,” she said.

There are nearly 135 million workers in more than 7.3 million workplaces across the country, according to DOL figures.
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