SAILG History

In the early 1980s, in anticipation of new regulations for Executive Order 11246, Ellen Shong-Bergman, then Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Department of Labor, encouraged open communications between industry and the OFCCP through “Industry Liaison Groups” (ILGs) in a memo dated January 29, 1982.

Representatives from government contractors began forming ILGs in the DOL (Department of Labor) regions around the country and asked for technical assistance from the OFCCP regarding compliance issues. The concept initially took hold in Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington), but through encouragement from the OFCCP Director’s office, ILGs began popping up all around the country.

Both sides wanted to develop more positive partnerships to achieve their mutual affirmative action and equal opportunity goals. ILGs have formed voluntarily to create a unique partnership of public and private sector cooperation to deal proactively with important issues and reaching mutual goals.