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DOL News Brief September 17, 2009
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What's Hot MSHA Grants The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has awarded $500,000 in grant funds to six organizations that provide education and training within the mining industry. The Brookwood-Sago grants program was established through a provision in the Mine Improvement & New Emergency Response Act of 2006. Fiscal year 2009's funding will target the development and implementation of training and materials for mine emergency preparedness and haulage safety. New Health Plans for GM Retirees Proposed The Department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration announced a proposed exemption that, if granted, would allow the General Motors Co. to transfer company securities (including common stock, preferred stock and a $2.5 billion promissory note) to a health plan established for GM’s retirees. The plan will cover approximately 700,000 retirees and dependents when it becomes effective on Dec. 31, 2009. |
Spotlight on States: Michigan DOL Has Paychecks for Cherry Blossom LLC Workers Good news for former employees of Cherry Blossom LLC in Williamsburg, Mich., a cherry processing plant that closed its doors in June without paying employees for their work in the last weeks of the company’s operations; DOL has your money! Cherry Blossom LLC violated section 15(a)(1), the “hot goods” provision, of the FLSA when cherries processed by these unpaid workers were shipped to an Indianapolis-based company for sale and distribution. Due to the investigation, the buyer agreed to pay $38,700 in back wages owed to workers at the plant. Any individual employed at Cherry Blossom LLC when the company ceased operations should call 313-226-7448 to verify employment and to ensure their checks are mailed to the appropriate addresses. |
Around DOL: Hispanic Heritage Month
LMRDA 50th Anniversary
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Recovery Highlights: $11 Million for W.Va. UI Modernization West Virginia qualified for more than $11 million in Unemployment Insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds. The state qualified for a portion of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits. “West Virginia recognizes the importance of providing an economic safety-net to workers who have entered the workforce recently and lost their jobs through no fault of their own,” said Secretary Solis. |
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Opportunities are Open: HR in D.C. Want a career that makes a difference in the lives of working families? The U.S. Department of Labor may be the place for you. Our Washington, D.C., Human Resources team seeks professionals with a passion for personnel recruitment and management. Explore the three HR opportunities listed below or view all the exciting and rewarding DOL positions at http://www.dol.gov/dol/jobs.htm.
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Plight of Migrant Children in USA
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What are the PPI and CPI? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses the Producer Price Index (PPI) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to measure facets of inflation. The PPI measures average change in selling prices received by producers for their goods, or output. CPI measures the average change in prices of a representative group of goods and services (the market basket) purchased by the typical urban household. By examining the PPI and CPI and their underlying indices, BLS is able to gauge the overall increase in prices for both companies and consumers as well as the source of the increase. |
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VETS 9/11 Remembrance Secretary Solis joined Reps. Dina Titus and Shelley Berkley in Las Vegas to mark the anniversary of 9/11 by visiting the U.S. VETS Program, a U.S. DOL-funded facility. The event was part of President Obama’s call to all Americans to volunteer. The Secretary and Congresswomen served lunch to homeless veterans, and personally thanked them for their service to our nation. |
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Morales Stars in DOL PSA
Morales recently recorded a series of public service announcements in both English and Spanish, with strong messages about worker safety and wage-hour protections. The spots will run on TV and radio stations across the country beginning in the Fall. |
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Upcoming Deadlines & Events ARRA Grant Application Deadlines
OFCCP — ADA and Section 503 Seminar OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminars OFCCP AAP Development & Preparing for Desk Audit OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminars (ARRA) OFCCP Compliance Assistance Seminars for Construction Contractors
OLMS Compliance Assistance Seminars OSBP Employer Compliance Assistance Forum WHD Prevailing Wage Conferences |
Yesterday, Secretary Solis moderated a discussion as panelists reacted to a trailer for the upcoming documentary, The Harvest, which follows the lives of child migrant workers through the 2009 harvest. Delores Huerta (UFW), Sylvia Aldana (former child migrant worker), David Strauss (AFOP), documentary filmmaker Robin Romano, and DOL Wage & Hour investigator Mark Lara provided personal stories and professional insight into efforts to protect children in agriculture. Prior to the panel, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard spoke about the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment, or CARE act, which she recently introduced. This event was one of several the DOL is hosting in observance of 
Most people recognize Esai Morales as an actor, with roles in La Bamba, Mi Familia, NYPD Blue,Jericho, and dozens of other major TV and movie productions. But this son of a union activist (his mother was an organizer with the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union) is a labor activist in his own right, as well. And he is putting his talent to work for the U.S. Department of Labor.Previous Issues | Follow us on Twitter | Subscribe | Send Feedback | Unsubscribe
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