All national news releases from the U.S. Department of Labor http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and its Wage and Hour Division today announced a final rule to improve the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program. The rule, to be published in the Feb. 21 edition of the Federal Register, includes changes to several aspects of the program to ensure that U.S. workers receive greater access to jobs and strengthens worker protections. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20120283.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20120283.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the release of "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success," a collection of career development exercises and activities designed to help sharpen the commu nication and other "soft" skills of young workers, including those with disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20120252.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20120252.htm Nancy J. Leppink, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, and California Secretary of Labor Marty Morgenstern have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the improper classification of employees as independent contractors. Leppink and California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su hosted a press teleconference Feb. 9 during which they discussed how the U.S. Department of Labor and the state of California will embark on new efforts, guided by this memorandum, to protect the rights of employees and level the playing field for responsible employers by reducing the practice conducted by some businesses of misclassifying employees. This partnership is the 12th of its kind for the U.S. Department of Labor. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120257.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120257.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Bethesda-based Dynasty Construction Inc. and owner John J. Barrett III for breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the company's 401(k) plan. According to the suit, more than $775,000 from the 401(k) plan was invested in a fraudulent scheme in 2006, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. This amount represented nearly all of the assets in the accounts of the 19 plan participants as of the end of 2005. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20120114.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20120114.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration is seeking public comment on data collection relating to miners’ rights in the workplace. The agency is performing a pilot study to determine how to survey miners’ understanding of their rights under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and the degree to which they believe they are free to exercise those rights at work. MSHA is the third agency in the department to initiate this type of survey, following the Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120264.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120264.htm In the week ending February 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 358,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 373,000. The 4-week moving average was 366,250, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised average of 377,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120227.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120227.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced a reorganization designed to centralize its oversight of certain cross-cutting, compliance-related actions. MSHA’s Office of Assessments, Accountability, Special Enforcement and Investigations will incorporate the management, support and coordination of both routine and special assessments, as well as agency headquarters accountability functions and special enforcement strategies. This list includes the citing of flagrant violations, investigations of retaliation claims and possible criminal violations, impact inspections, the pattern of violations program and the use of injunctive authority. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120233.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120233.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has announced a 14-day extension of the comment period for its proposed rule to revise regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which obligates most federal contractors and subcontractors to ensure equal employment opportunity for qualified workers with disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20120248.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20120248.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of "Why Green is Your Color: A Woman's Guide to a Sustainable Career," which is designed to help women find and keep higher paying jobs in the clean energy economy. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/WB20120201.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/WB20120201.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $3,058,366 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment services to about 1,450 individuals affected by the realignments and closures of military facilities throughout Texas. These facilities include Fort Bliss in El Paso, Fort Hood in Kileen, the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant and the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, and multiple bases in San Antonio. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20120185.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20120185.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the January 2012 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120231.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120231.htm In a speech before attendees of the West Virginia Coal Association's 39th Annual Mining Symposium in Charleston today, Assistant Secretary of Labor Joseph A. Main discussed the current state of mine safety and health - and ongoing efforts to improve it - by both the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration and the mining industry at large. Main highlighted a number of strategic initiatives that have been implemented which the agency believes have markedly improved miner safety and health, including monthly impact inspections, the pattern of violations program, and education and outreach within the industry. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120211.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120211.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Minister of Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge of the Republic of India today signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on future labor and employment issues.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20120220.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20120220.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement commemorating National African-American History Month: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120222.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120222.htm Following President Obama’s State of the Union address, in which he proposed a blueprint for an American economy built to last, the U.S. Departments of Labor and the Treasury today announced two executive actions designed to help enhance security for millions of Americans saving for retirement. The measures will expand transparency in the 401(k) plan marketplace and broaden the availability of retirement plan options so that Americans can maximize their ability to save responsibly and securely. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111653.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111653.htm In the week ending January 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 367,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 379,000. The 4-week moving average was 375,750, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 377,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120181.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120181.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division today announced that it will re-propose the portion of its regulation on child labor in agriculture interpreting the “parental exemption.” The decision to re-propose is in part a response to requests from the public and members of Congress that the agency allow an opportunity for more input on this aspect of the rule. Following the president’s historic executive order on regulation, issued in January 2011, this re-proposal reflects the department’s careful attention to public comments and its conclusion that it is appropriate to provide the public with further opportunities to participate in the regulatory process.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120203.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120203.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today met with Colombia Minister of Labor Rafael Pardo to discuss Colombia's recent achievements in protecting workers' rights and to address the challenges that remain. She highlighted the ongoing technical cooperation between the U.S. Department of Labor and Colombia's Labor Ministry, and announced the award of a $2 million grant to the International Labour Organization to develop a robust presence in Colombia. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20120192.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20120192.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has issued a final rule amending the Senior Community Service Employment Program regulations to allow entry into volunteer work as an additional performance indicator. The rule will be effective on March 1. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120186.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120186.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today launched the third phase of an outreach and enforcement program designed to strengthen efforts to prevent mining fatalities. “Rules to Live By III: Preventing Common Mining Deaths” will focus on 14 safety standards that were chosen because violations related to each have been cited as contributing to at least five mining accidents and at least five deaths during the 10-year period of Jan. 1, 2001, to Dec. 31, 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120184.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120184.htm Seeking novel ways to eliminate the gender gap in pay, the U.S. Department of Labor and its federal agency partners on the National Equal Pay Task Force today announced a contest for creating software applications that use the department’s data to promote equal pay for men and women. Women are still paid less on average than their male counterparts for doing comparable jobs, and the discrepancy is even greater for minority women. Over the course of a lifetime, this “pay gap” results in lost wages, reduced pensions and diminished Social Security benefits. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120146.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120146.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor is issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement new statutory amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act that would expand military family leave provisions and incorporate a special eligibility provision for airline flight crew employees. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120177.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120177.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today on union members in 2011: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120169.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120169.htm In the week ending January 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 377,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 356,000. The 4-week moving average was 377,500, a decrease of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 380,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120124.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120124.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 321 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and three metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 174 citations and 19 orders, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 112 citations and 16 orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120128.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120128.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $306,838 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to approximately 150 workers affected by the closure of Ocean Logistics LLC’s Dunmore, Pa., facility. Ocean Logistics LLC is a warehousing and distribution service for general merchandise as well as health and beauty items. The layoffs occurred in September and October 2011.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120069.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120069.htm In the week ending January 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 352,000, a decrease of 50,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 402,000. The 4-week moving average was 379,000, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 382,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120064.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120064.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s regional solicitor’s office in Boston has filed a complaint against DeMoulas Super Markets Inc., doing business as Market Basket, with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The complaint asks the commission to order the Tewksbury, Mass.-based chain to comply with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s safety standards designed to protect employees from fall and laceration hazards at the employer’s more than 60 stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20120038.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20120038.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers. They will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms and floods in April and May 2011 that affected southeastern Ohio.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120071.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120071.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of Dallas, Texas-based Southwest Airlines Co., to reinstate a former pilot who was fired after reporting numerous mechanical concerns. The agency also has ordered that the pilot be paid more than $1 million in back wages plus interest and compensatory damages. An investigation by OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program found reasonable cause to believe that the termination was an act of retaliation in violation of the whistleblower provision of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, known as AIR21. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111814.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111814.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today announced that government contractor JacintoPort International LLC has agreed to settle allegations of hiring discrimination on the basis of race involving 48 African-American and 21 Caucasian job applicants who were rejected for longshoreman positions at the company's cargo facility in Houston. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20120015.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20120015.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $165,000 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment and training services to about 175 workers affected by the closure of Joe’s Sports, Outdoor, Auto/Truck and More based in Wilsonville, Ore. The company, known as Joe’s, supplied sporting goods, outdoor equipment, automotive supplies and general merchandise until it closed its corporate offices, distribution center and retail stores in 2009. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120041.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120041.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant supplemental award, in the form of a National Emergency Grant, to provide an estimated 1,175 additional jobless workers in North Carolina with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage. The state qualified for funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120021.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120021.htm The U.S. Department of Labor is notifying former workers of 17 facilities associated with the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act about compensation and medical benefits potentially available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, which is administered by the department’s Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation. Survivors of qualified workers also may be entitled to benefits. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20120046.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20120046.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of $20.6 million in grant funds to assist adult former offenders who are returning to their communities after serving time in justice facilities. The U.S. Department of Labor expects to award 17 grants of approximately $1.21 million each to organizations that will provide these individuals with employment-focused services and support. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120040.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120040.htm In the week ending January 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 399,000, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 375,000. The 4-week moving average was 381,750, an increase of 7,750 from the previous week's revised average of 374,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120025.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20120025.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $738,179 grant to assist about 320 workers affected by layoffs from Evergreen Solar Inc. in Devens and Marlborough, Mass., and two staffing companies, Advantage Technical Resourcing and Kelly Services. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111821.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111821.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $857,225 National Emergency Grant increment to provide employment-related assistance to Massachusetts residents affected by layoffs and closings at 11 companies in Massachusetts and one company in Connecticut representing a variety of industries. This increment will continue services for approximately 330 workers served by an initial increment as well as provide services for an additional 100 workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111808.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111808.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $618,597 incremental award of a National Emergency Grant to provide job placement, skills training and other re-employment services for workers affected by layoffs at ATK Launch Systems in Corrine, Utah. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111822.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111822.htm Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathleen Martinez and U.S. Customs and Border Protection acting Commissioner David V. Aguilar today signed an alliance agreement to advance President Obama’s executive order to increase the hiring of people with disabilities by federal agencies. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20120011.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20120011.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the December 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120033.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120033.htm Preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration released today reveal that 37 miners died in work-related accidents at the nation's mines in 2011. There were 21 coal mining and 16 metal/nonmetal mining fatalities last year, compared with 48 and 23, respectively, in 2010, making 2011 the year with the second-lowest number of mining deaths since statistics were first recorded in 1910. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20120022.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20120022.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs has issued a final rule implementing the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act's exclusion for recreational vessel workers. The rule defines what constitutes a "recreational vessel" when applying the exclusion. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20120004.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20120004.htm In the week ending December 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 372,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 387,000. The 4-week moving average was 373,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 376,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111823.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111823.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the recess appointment of Sharon Block to the National Labor Relations Board. Block currently serves as the U.S. Department of Labor’s deputy assistant secretary of labor for congressional affairs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120023.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20120023.htm In the week ending December 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 381,000, an increase of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 366,000. The 4-week moving average was 375,000, a decrease of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average of 380,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111807.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111807.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Piping Technology and Products Inc. for 13 willful and 17 serious violations for exposing workers to the risk of amputations and other serious injuries from dangerous machinery, as well as other hazards, at the company’s Houston facility. Proposed penalties total $1,013,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111789.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111789.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued a statement on the agreement to extend the payroll tax cut and Unemployment Insurance benefits. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20111809.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20111809.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointments of five new members to the 2012 Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans — known as the ERISA Advisory Council. She also announced the appointment of the incoming chair and vice chair of the council. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111805.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111805.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of approximately $98.5 million through the Workforce Innovation Fund to support employment and training services. The fund invests in programs that support, evaluate and enhance workforce investment strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations. A solicitation for grant applications will be published in the Dec. 23 edition of the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111796.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111796.htm In the week ending December 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 364,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 368,000. The 4-week moving average was 380,250, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised average of 388,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111780.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111780.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 315 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and six metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 200 citations, 50 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 62 citations and two orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111799.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111799.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the minimum hourly wage rates that employers must pay H-2A workers in order to ensure that the wages of similarly employed U.S. workers are not adversely affected. These H-2A adverse effect wage rates are calculated for each occupation and location using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual wages rates from its regional Farm Labor Survey of nonfamily field and livestock workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111794.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111794.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $992,586 grant to assist about 180 workers affected by the closure of Solo Cup in North Andover, Mass.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111786.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111786.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific Railroad Co. to immediately reinstate an employee in Idaho who was terminated after reporting a work-related injury. OSHA also has ordered the company to pay the employee more than $300,000 in back wages, compensatory damages, attorney’s fees and punitive damages. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111650.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111650.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs has awarded a $13 million cooperative agreement to nongovernmental organization Desarrollo y Autogestión to combat exploitative child labor in Peru. To implement the project, Desarrollo y Autogestión will partner with World Learning, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, and DESCO, a development organization. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111770.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111770.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $1,424,500 National Emergency Grant increment to provide re-employment services to approximately 1,100 workers affected by layoffs that occurred in multiple industries throughout Louisiana. Today’s increment will continue assistance for the original workers served by the first two increments awarded under this grant as well as provide services to an additional 150 Lockheed Martin workers affected by layoffs resulting from the retirement of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s shuttle program. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111772.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111772.htm In the week ending December 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 366,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 385,000. The 4-week moving average was 387,750, a decrease of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average of 394,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111750.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111750.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today commemorated the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s 10th anniversary by celebrating the positive impact of its policies and program initiatives with major leaders in the community. Featured speakers included Sen. Tom Harkin (Iowa); Rep. Steny Hoyer (Maryland); Kareem Dale, special assistant to the president for disability policy; Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for ODEP and past assistant secretaries for the office. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111771.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111771.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a grant of $186,000 to assist about 40 workers affected by layoffs from CCI Systems Inc. in Iron Mountain, Mich. Layoffs at this facility, which provides design, engineering, and implementation services for communication network equipment, occurred from August 2010 through August 2011. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111751.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111751.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today made available a $3,390,230 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment services to approximately 2,500 workers of 79 companies, predominantly in the manufacturing sector, who have been affected by layoffs and plant closures in Wisconsin. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111740.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111740.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is continuing its efforts to protect workers from the dangers of formaldehyde exposure. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111735.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111735.htm The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing a new rule that would require federal contractors and subcontractors to set a hiring goal of having 7 percent of their workforces be people with disabilities, among other requirements. The department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs invites public comment on this proposal, which will be published in the Dec. 9 edition of the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111614.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111614.htm In the week ending December 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 381,000, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 404,000. The 4-week moving average was 393,250, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 396,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111720.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111720.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has imposed a fine of $10,825,368, the largest in agency history, following its investigation into the April 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch-South Mine, which was operated by Performance Coal Co., a subsidiary of Massey Energy Co. The investigation followed an explosion that killed 29 miners and injured two – the worst U.S. coal mining disaster in 40 years. A report concludes that Massey’s corporate culture was the root cause of the tragedy. MSHA has issued Massey and PCC 369 citations and orders, including for an unprecedented 21 flagrant violations, which carry the most serious civil penalties available under the law. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111734.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111734.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement in response to the agreement announced today among the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, the U.S. Department of Justice, Alpha Natural Resources Inc. and Alpha Appalachia Holdings Inc., formerly known as Massey Energy Co., in the wake of the April 2010 tragedy at the Upper Big Branch Mine: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111738.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111738.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has reached an agreement with Haasbach LLC in Mount Carroll, resolving 25 citations issued by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and child labor civil money penalties assessed by its Wage and Hour Division. The resolution follows the deaths of Wyatt Whitebread, 14, and Alex Pacas, 19, at the company’s Mt. Carroll grain bin facility in July 2010. A 20-year-old worker also was seriously injured in the incident. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111702.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111702.htm Nancy J. Leppink, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, and Ellen Golombek, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 5 regarding the improper classification of employees as independent contractors. Following the signing, Leppink and Golombek hosted a press teleconference during which they discussed how the U.S. Department of Labor and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment will embark on new efforts, guided by this memorandum, to protect the rights of employees and level the playing field for responsible employers by reducing the practice conducted by some businesses of misclassifying employees. This partnership is the 11th of its kind for the U.S. Department of Labor. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111721.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111721.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced two proposed rules under the Affordable Care Act to protect businesses and workers whose health benefits are provided through a multiple employer welfare arrangement. MEWAs frequently have been used by scam artists and criminals to defraud consumers, resulting in an inability to pay medical claims. When such MEWAs become insolvent, they may leave consumers with substantial unpaid medical bills. For employers or employee organizations that have paid premiums or made contributions to a MEWA, and thought they were doing the right thing for their workers and their families, the impact also can be significant. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111677.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111677.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the November 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111728.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111728.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration will begin implementing pre-assessment conferencing procedures in January 2012 to help reduce any backlog of future violations before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. Under the procedures in most MSHA districts, a mine operator and miners’ representative may request a conference regarding a contested citation or order only after MSHA proposes a penalty assessment, and any settlements require approval by the commission. The new procedures are based on the results of a pilot program launched by MSHA Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Main in August 2010 that evaluated the effect of the pre-assessment conference on contested citations. The evaluation incorporated input from industry stakeholders, including mine operators and miners’ representatives. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111703.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111703.htm In commemoration of World AIDS Day, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis released the following statement highlighting the U.S. Department of Labor’s ongoing efforts in the global fight against HIV/AIDS: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111723.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111723.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is suing federal contractor Brunswick Corp. and Lund Boat Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary. In an administrative complaint filed today with the department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges, OFCCP asserts that the companies systematically discriminated against more than 200 women who applied for entry-level positions at Lund’s boat manufacturing plant in New York Mills, Minn. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111625.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111625.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has created a hotline for former employees of USProtect Corp., a defunct Silver Spring, Md., company that provided security services for federal buildings in California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and the Virgin Islands. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111705.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111705.htm In the week ending November 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 402,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 396,000. The 4-week moving average was 395,750, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average of 395,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111692.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111692.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that eight mines around the country have received letters putting them on notice that each has a potential pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The PPOV screening from which these letters resulted represents the second since MSHA established the current criteria and procedures in September 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111706.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111706.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has awarded a $10 million cooperative agreement to World Vision to combat exploitative child labor in Ethiopia that will focus on child labor in rural areas and the traditional weaving industry. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111685.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111685.htm An ongoing enforcement initiative conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has found widespread noncompliance with the minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act among full-service restaurants on Long Island. Under the initiative, the division has completed 46 investigations of pizza and pasta establishments and recovered $2,341,507 in back wages for 578 employees. In addition, the division has assessed $202,315 in civil money penalties against employers for willful and repeated FLSA violations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111661.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111661.htm The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has filed an administrative complaint against federal contractor Cargill Meat Solutions, alleging that the company systematically discriminated against 4,069 qualified female, white, black, Hispanic and Native American applicants who sought entry-level production jobs at its Springdale facility. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111648.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111648.htm In the week ending November 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 393,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 391,000. The 4-week moving average was 394,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 397,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111675.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111675.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 226 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and three metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 145 citations and 18 orders, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 51 citations and 12 orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111686.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111686.htm The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has approved a global settlement that allows the U.S. Department of Labor to recover $7,968,744 in back wages, fringe benefits and 401(k) plan assets for more than 2,000 security guards formerly employed by USProtect Corp., a defunct Silver Spring company that provided security services for federal buildings across the country. The decision resolves the Labor Department’s actions against the company related to violations of the McNamara O’Hara Service Contract Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111678.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111678.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is conducting a multi-year enforcement initiative focusing on the gas station industry in New Jersey, where it has found consistent and widespread noncompliance with the minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. During fiscal year 2011, the division conducted 74 investigations of gas station facilities throughout the state, recovering $1,014,895 in back wages for 295 workers who were denied fair compensation for their work. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111485.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111485.htm Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is encouraging retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and other major sales events during the holiday season.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111667.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111667.htm In the week ending November 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 388,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 393,000. The 4-week moving average was 396,750, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 400,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111647.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111647.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,261,417 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 365 workers affected by layoffs at 12 companies throughout Massachusetts, including four employee staffing businesses that provided workers for the other companies.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111662.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111662.htm The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled that United Space Alliance LLC must supply the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs with compensation information requested for a review of the company’s Cape Canaveral, Fla., facility. The ruling upholds a Feb. 28 decision by the department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111608.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111608.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration has created a new consumer assistance Web page that provides easy access to useful information, and allows users to submit questions and complaints about health and retirement plans electronically. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111627.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111627.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs today announced a partnership with the National Academy of Sciences to further enhance the Site Exposure Matrices website, a tool that aids the adjudication of claims under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20111626.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20111626.htm In the week ending November 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 390,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 400,000. The 4-week moving average was 400,000, a decrease of 5,250 from the previous week's revised average of 405,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111609.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111609.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the Nov. 8 Ohio labor referendum, in which a majority of voters rejected a state law limiting collective bargaining: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111641.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111641.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a new partnership with Microsoft Corp. to provide veterans and with vouchers for no-cost training and certifications that can lead to important industry-recognized credentials. The voucher program will serve veterans in five communities with the highest number of returning post-9/11 era veterans: Seattle, Wash.; San Diego, Calif., Houston, Texas; Northern Virginia; and Jacksonville, Fla. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20111640.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20111640.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics today released detailed data on nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work in 2010. The incidence rate for health care support workers increased 6 percent to 283 cases per 10,000 full-time workers, almost 2 1/2 times the rate for all private and public sector workers at 118 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. The rate among nursing aides, orderlies and attendants rose 7 percent, to 489 per 10,000 workers. Additionally, the rate of musculoskeletal disorder cases with days away from work for nursing aides, orderlies and attendants increased 10 percent to a rate of 249 cases per 10,000 workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111638.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111638.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging major retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and other major sales events during the holiday season.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111630.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111630.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that an Administrative Law Judge with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has upheld citations issued last May to Connolly-Pacific Co.'s Pebbly Beach Quarry, located on Catalina Island, Calif. The citations have now been appealed to the Commission. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111624.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111624.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,448,259 grant to provide re-employment and support services to about 850 workers laid off in July due to the closure of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. facility in Union City, Tenn. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111600.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111600.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the October 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111618.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111618.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs has successfully defended a recent amendment to the Black Lung Benefits Act contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit held in "B and G Construction Co. v. Campbell and Director, Office of Workers' Comp. Programs" that the amendment is constitutional and provides benefits to certain survivors of miners who were entitled to benefits at the time of their deaths. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20111599.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20111599.htm In the week ending October 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 397,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 406,000. The 4-week moving average was 404,500, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 406,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111580.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111580.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited All-Feed Processing and Packaging Inc., headquartered in Alpha, for 23 safety and health violations at its pet food production and packaging facility in Galva, including willful violations of OSHA's air contaminant, respiratory protection and hearing conservation standards. Some violations were cited under OSHA's "general duty" clause, including failing to provide appropriate fire and explosion protection in locations where concentrations of combustible dust existed. Proposed fines total $758,450. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111569.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111569.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will publish interim final rules in the Nov. 3 Federal Register that revise the regulations governing whistleblower complaints filed under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The act protects employees of publicly traded companies and their subsidiaries, and of certain other employers, from retaliation for reporting mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, violations of SEC rules or regulations, or violations of any provision of federal law relating to fraud against shareholders. OSHA is requesting public comment on the interim final rule. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111550.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111550.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the formal recognition of the Guam Department of Labor as the state apprenticeship agency authorized to oversee the territory's Registered Apprenticeship system.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111592.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111592.htm Two former corporate officers of an East Los Angeles community hospital have been ordered to repay $600,692 plus post-judgment interest to the ElaStar Community Hospital Retirement Savings Plan, according to the terms of a consent judgment and order filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California's Southern Division. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111557.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111557.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has announced a 30-day extension of the comment period for its proposed rule to revise regulations addressing child labor in agricultural and nonagricultural employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The rule proposed by the Wage and Hour Division would amend existing FLSA child labor regulations and incorporate into the regulations the enforcement policies the division follows when determining whether to assess a civil money penalty for child labor violations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111585.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111585.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,423,992 National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Texas wildfires that began in August. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111555.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111555.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $504,000 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 115 workers affected by layoffs at the Pittsburgh branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111563.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111563.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration has released a Securities and Exchange Commission staff no-action letter relating to EBSA's participant-level fee disclosure regulation and Rule 482 under the Securities Act of 1933. The letter states that information required by and that complies with the fee disclosure regulation that is provided by a plan administrator, or designee, to plan participants or beneficiaries will be treated as a communication that satisfies the requirements of Rule 482. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111573.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111573.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $7,511,960 National Emergency Grant increment to the California Employment Development Department to continue cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms that struck California between Dec. 17, 2010, and Jan. 4, 2011. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111533.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111533.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the winners of two contests, launched in July, for third-party developers to showcase innovative uses of the department's data. SymSoft Solutions in Sacramento, Calif., with its "Where are the jobs?" application, won the Occupational Employment Statistics challenge to help connect unemployed workers with promising careers. Rachel Moore in Alexandria, Va., won the "informAction app" challenge to empower consumer choices about the hotel, motel, restaurant and retail industries with her "Eat Shop Sleep" mobile application. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111568.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111568.htm In the week ending October 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 402,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 404,000. The 4-week moving average was 405,500, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average of 403,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111544.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111544.htm U.S. Department of Labor Chief Administrative Law Judge Stephen L. Purcell has upheld civil money penalties of $100,000 assessed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division against Progressive Protein LLC of Omaha, Neb., after a 17-year-old worker was killed in May 2009 at the company's Omaha meat rendering plant. The minor was operating a forklift and working at the plant in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act's child labor provisions. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111559.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111559.htm Hilton Reservations Worldwide LLC, doing business as Hilton Reservations and Customer Care in Carrollton, has agreed to pay $715,507 in minimum and overtime back wages to 2,645 current and former customer service employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111369.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111369.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 374 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 18 coal mines and two metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 292 citations, 28 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 52 citations and one order. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111564.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111564.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards will publish a final rule revising Form LM-30, the Labor Organization Officer and Employee Report, in the Federal Register on Oct. 26. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/olms/olms20111443.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/olms/olms20111443.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that it has reached a settlement with GCR Tire Centers regarding the termination of an off-road tire technician who had complained about unsafe work practices at the Notasulga Quarry in Lee County, Ala. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111460.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111460.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today issued a final regulation that will enhance retirement security by improving workers' access to quality fiduciary investment advice. The regulation implements a prohibited transaction exemption under an amendment to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code that is part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111537.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111537.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics today announced that nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers declined in 2010 to a rate of 3.5 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, down from a total case rate of 3.6 in 2009. Nearly 3.1 million injuries and illnesses were reported among private sector industry employers in 2010, down from 3.3 million reported in 2009. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111547.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111547.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today announced that federal contractor Caviness Beef Packers Ltd., doing business as Palo Duro Meat Processing Inc. in Amarillo and Caviness Packing Co. in Hereford, has agreed to a settlement resolving findings that the company discriminated against job applicants on the bases of race and gender by rejecting them for positions at the company's two meat processing facilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111521.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111521.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council, will hold a public meeting on Nov. 8 and 9 at Labor Department headquarters, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111536.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111536.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced an innovative partnership that leverages the combined audience and expertise of officials from the U.S. Department of Labor, Facebook, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, DirectEmployers Association and the National Association of Colleges and Employers to provide crucial employment resources to job seekers through the use of social networks. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111538.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111538.htm In the week ending October 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 403,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 409,000. The 4-week moving average was 403,000, a decrease of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average of 409,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111506.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111506.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a default judgment against the fiduciary of the Northland Inn 401(k) plan, Parkland Hotel Investors LP, requiring the appointment of an independent fiduciary to terminate the plan and distribute its assets. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111511.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111511.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has launched its annual "Winter Alert" campaign to call attention to the dangers caused by cold weather. Statistics show that coal-mine explosions occur most often during the colder months, October through March. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111526.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111526.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited DeMoulas Supermarkets Inc., doing business as Market Basket, for 30 alleged willful, repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards at its stores in Rindge and Concord, N.H. The Tewksbury, Mass., grocery chain, which has stores in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, faces a total of $589,200 in proposed fines, chiefly for recurring fall and laceration hazards and also for improperly responding to a worker's serious injury. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111480.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111480.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded more than $7.6 million in grants to five states to design and implement innovative strategies that will improve re-employment services for unemployed workers. States receiving these funds responded to a "call to innovate" around a new national vision and framework that aim to create an integrated workforce customer registration process, use real-time data for enhanced decision-making, highlight skills transferability and leverage social media tools. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111517.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111517.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,283,567 National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in northwest Missouri following floods that occurred from June 1 to Aug. 1. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111462.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111462.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $815,740 National Emergency Grant increment to continue re-employment services for about 800 workers affected by the closure of the John Morrell and Co. pork processing plant in April 2010 and resulting layoffs at four companies whose businesses were impacted by that closure: Jacobson Bekins Logistics, Mossberg Sanitarian, High-Tech Electric, and United Vending and Food Service. All five companies are located in Sioux City, Iowa. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111488.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111488.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $676,388 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment services to workers who were affected by layoffs at three Electrolux facilities in Jefferson and Webster City, Iowa, as well as three of the company's suppliers in Ames and Webster City, Iowa. More than 700 workers will be assisted by the funds, an increase from the original 450 served under the initial award. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111481.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111481.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has placed Kevin R. Yonts' Mine No. 2 in Letcher County, Ky., operated by Vision Coal, on potential pattern of violations status based on data gathered during agency audits. MSHA found that 19 out of 39 audited mines either failed to report injuries or underreported the lost time associated with reported injuries, and four of the 19 met the criteria for a PPOV. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111495.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111495.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has awarded $1.5 million to Development Alternatives International Inc. of Bethesda, Md., to extend the existing Vietnam Industrial Relations Promotion Project by an additional two years. The first phase of the project was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111490.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111490.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has announced a $13 million competitive solicitation for cooperative agreements to combat exploitative child labor in Peru, including supporting efforts to address poverty and promote social inclusion. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111489.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111489.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding congressional passage of Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111493.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111493.htm In the week ending October 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 404,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 405,000. The 4-week moving average was 408,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised average of 415,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111471.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111471.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a complaint in federal court seeking to restore $436,322.07 to two benefit plans of Columbus-based Clark Graphics. Based on the findings of an investigation by the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration, the lawsuit alleges that the plans' administrator, Pension Retirement Planning, along with its president, Marcia Dowdell, failed to account for money deposited to the plans in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111440.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111440.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the September 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111474.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111474.htm In the week ending October 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 401,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 395,000. The 4-week moving average was 414,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 418,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111442.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111442.htm The most up-to-date employment data and economic news releases from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics and its Employment and Training Administration now can be viewed using a new mobile application. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111458.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111458.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a complaint in federal court against Elmhurst-based A.B.D. Tank and Pump Co. and Keith Davis, its president and sole owner, to restore more than $1.9 million to the company's retirement plan. The complaint alleges that Davis depleted the assets of the plan through a series of withdrawals and transfers to himself and the company from Dec. 4, 2006, through Nov. 3, 2010, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111391.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111391.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement calling on Congress to create export-driven jobs by ratifying free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, and to pass a robust Trade Adjustment Assistance program: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111451.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111451.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $159,266,650 in grants to 36 public-private partnerships serving 20 states and the District of Columbia through the first round of funding under the H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant Competition. The grants will provide education, training and job placement assistance related to high-growth fields in which employers are currently using the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program to hire foreign workers, such as advanced manufacturing, energy, health care and information technology. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111453.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111453.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement to mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111452.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111452.htm In a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor against Cascom Inc. and president Julia J. Gress alleging wage violations, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose has ruled that the Fairfield, Ohio, company violated federal labor laws by misclassifying its employees as independent contractors and, consequently, not compensating them for overtime work, as required under the Fair Labor Standards Act.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111425.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111425.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, joined by Sen. Tom Harkin, today released three new reports on child labor and forced labor, and announced $32.5 million in grants to combat child labor around the world. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111446.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111446.htm Mine rescue teams may be tapped to battle mine fires, contain underground floods and rescue their colleagues trapped beneath layers of rock following an explosion. They undergo rigorous training to develop skills they hope they will never need to use. Those skills will be put to the test Oct. 3-6 during the 2011 National Mine Rescue, First-Aid, Bench and Preshift Competition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111429.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111429.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced four two-year cooperative agreements totaling $2,165,998 to consortia led by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois in Chicago, the National Organization on Disability in New York City, TransCen Inc. in Rockville, Md., and the World Institute on Disability in Oakland, Calif. These awards represent the second round of funding provided through the "Add Us In" initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. The first round of awards was made in September 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111435.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111435.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced $1 million in grant funds to eight organizations that provide education and training within the mining industry. The Brookwood-Sago grants program was established through a provision in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006. This funding will be used to develop and implement training and related materials for mine emergency preparedness, as well as for the prevention of accidents in underground mines. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111428.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111428.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $12,845,000 National Emergency Grant to assist Puerto Rico with recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111412.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111412.htm In the week ending September 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 391,000, a decrease of 37,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 428,000. The 4-week moving average was 417,000, a decrease of 5,250 from the previous week's revised average of 422,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111399.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111399.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced a total of $3,787,000 in continued funding for organizations managing consortia that develop models, provide technical assistance and share best practices to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111400.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111400.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited PJ Trailers Manufacturing Co. Inc. and Delco Trailers Co. Inc., a similar company owned by PJ Trailers, for seven willful, 26 serious, nine repeat and four other-than-serious violations. OSHA inspectors found workers exposed to unguarded machinery, fall hazards and accumulations of potentially hazardous dust, among other violations. Proposed penalties total $949,800. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111251.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111251.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 356 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 16 coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 272 citations, 37 orders and two safeguards, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 45 citations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111416.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111416.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $21,166,560 for seven states under the Disability Employment Initiative to improve education, training, and employment opportunities and outcomes for youth and adults who are unemployed, underemployed and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. The initiative is jointly funded and administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration and its Office of Disability Employment Policy. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111421.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111421.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that S and M Coal Co. has completed installation of a communications and tracking system at Buck Mountain Slope near Lykens, Pa., ending its two-year refusal to comply with requirements mandated in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111380.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111380.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $10 million National Emergency Grant to assist Pennsylvania with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irene. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111401.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111401.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter today announced nearly $500 million in grants to community colleges around the country for targeted training and workforce development to help economically dislocated workers who are changing careers. The grants support partnerships between community colleges and employers to develop programs that provide pathways to good jobs, including building instructional programs that meet specific industry needs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111409.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111409.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $89,673 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts following the severe winter storms and resulting flooding, mudslides, landslides and debris flows that struck Oregon in January. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111387.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111387.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has issued a statement regarding today's passage by the U.S. Senate of Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111405.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111405.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a 60-day postponement of the effective date for the final rule concerning the wage methodology for the temporary nonagricultural employment H-2B program. The delay will permit the various courts involved in ongoing litigation surrounding the implementation of the rule to determine the appropriate venue for the resolution of all claims and allow the department to avoid the possibility of administering the H-2B program under potentially conflicting court orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111404.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111404.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a revised hazard alert to hair salon owners and workers about potential formaldehyde exposure from working with certain hair smoothing and straightening products. The revised alert was prompted by the results of agency investigations, a warning letter issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and factually incorrect information recently sent to salons by a company that manufactures hair products. OSHA's updated alert can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/hazard_alert.html. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111393.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111393.htm The Obama administration today announced the winners of the $37 million Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge, a multi-agency competition launched in May to support the advancement of 20 high-growth regional industry clusters. Investments from three federal agencies and technical assistance from 13 additional agencies will promote development in areas such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, aerospace and clean technology in rural and urban regions spanning 21 states. Projects are being driven by local communities that identified the economic strengths of their areas, with funding awarded to the best proposals. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111398.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111398.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Brooklyn supermarket for alleged willful and serious violations of workplace safety standards after an inspection found that night shift employees were locked in and not allowed to leave the building without the employer's permission. Mermaid Meat Co., doing business as Fine Fare Supermarkets at 2901 Mermaid Ave., faces a total of $62,300 in proposed fines. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111315.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111315.htm In the week ending September 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 423,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 432,000. The 4-week moving average was 421,000, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average of 420,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111374.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111374.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7,795,700 National Emergency Grant to assist New Jersey with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irene. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111384.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111384.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today announced that Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. has entered into two consent decrees to settle allegations of sex discrimination. The Dakota Dunes, S.D.–based company will pay a total of $2.25 million in back wages, interest and benefits to more than 1,650 qualified female job applicants who were rejected for employment at facilities in Joslin, Ill.; West Point, Neb.; and Waterloo and Denison, Iowa. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110799.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110799.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in North Carolina after major damage was inflicted by Hurricane Irene in August.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111345.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111345.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $16,186,108 National Emergency Grant to assist New York with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irene.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111368.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111368.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today hosted a ceremony at U.S. Department of Labor headquarters in Washington to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Internal Revenue Service that will improve departmental efforts to end the business practice of misclassifying employees in order to avoid providing employment protections. In addition, labor commissioners and other agency leaders representing seven states signed memorandums of understanding with the department's Wage and Hour Division and, in some cases, its Employee Benefits Security Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Office of the Solicitor. The signatory states are Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Utah and Washington. Secretary Solis also announced agreements for the Wage and Hour Division to enter into memorandums of understanding with the state labor agencies of Hawaii, Illinois and Montana, as well as with New York's attorney general. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111373.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111373.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration will re-propose its rule on the definition of a fiduciary. Consistent with the president's January executive order on regulation, the re-proposal is designed to inform judgments, ensure an open exchange of views and protect consumers while avoiding unjustified costs and burdens. When finalized, this important consumer protection initiative will safeguard workers who are saving for retirement as well as the businesses that provide retirement plans to America's working men and women. The decision to re-propose is in part a response to requests from the public, including members of Congress, that the agency allow an opportunity for more input on the rule. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111382.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111382.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1.68 million National Emergency Grant to assist Vermont with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111362.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111362.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has announced a $10 million competitive solicitation for cooperative agreements to combat exploitative child labor in Ethiopia, with a focus on the weaving industry and rural areas of the country. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111341.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111341.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding National POW/MIA Recognition Day: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111381.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111381.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found Bond Laboratories Inc. and former CEO Scott Landow in violation of the whistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for improperly firing an employee. The company and Landow have been ordered to re-hire the employee and pay approximately $500,000 in back wages, interest and compensatory damages. The findings follow an investigation by OSHA's San Francisco Regional Office, which was initiated after receiving a complaint from the employee. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111352.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111352.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found Bond Laboratories Inc. and former CEO Scott Landow in violation of the whistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for improperly firing an employee. The company and Landow have been ordered to re-hire the employee and pay approximately $500,000 in back wages, interest and compensatory damages. The findings follow an investigation by OSHA's San Francisco Regional Office, which was initiated after receiving a complaint from the employee. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111352.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111352.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today awarded $10.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to 37 new and 32 returning recipients, including nonprofit and community/faith-based groups, business and trade associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, and colleges and universities.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111342.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111342.htm In the week ending September 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 428,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 417,000. The 4-week moving average was 419,500, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 415,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111330.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111330.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America Corp. in violation of the whistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for improperly firing an employee. The bank has been ordered to reinstate and pay the employee approximately $930,000, which includes back wages, interest, compensatory damages and attorney fees. The findings follow an investigation by OSHA's San Francisco Regional Office, which was initiated after receiving a complaint from the Los Angeles-area employee. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111351.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111351.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $41,247,756 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico qualified for its full share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist recent entrants to the workforce, part-time workers and individuals who become unemployed because of compelling family reasons.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111356.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111356.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced awards totaling $191.5 million to 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for unemployment insurance program integrity and technology infrastructure systems. The grants are intended to accelerate actions to reduce UI improper payment rates; provide an opportunity for modernizing UI tax and benefits systems; and enable the design of technology-based tools to prevent, detect and recover improper UI payments. Colorado, North Dakota, Wyoming and Arizona will receive a combined $72 million award for technology infrastructure systems. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111361.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111361.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bostik Inc. for 50 alleged violations of workplace safety standards following a March 13 explosion at the company's Middleton plant in which four workers were injured. The adhesives manufacturer faces a total of $917,000 in proposed fines. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111340.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111340.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of Mary Ellen Signorille to the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council. Signorille was appointed as a representative of the general public and will serve the unexpired portion of the term of Portia Wu, who recently resigned from the council to accept a senior position within the Obama administration. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111349.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111349.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division will host a free online conference for federal, state and local contracting officials to provide information on federal rules concerning prevailing wages and other labor law requirements. The conference will be webcast live from 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. EDT on both Tuesday, Oct. 4, and Wednesday, Oct. 5. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111171.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111171.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited two Florida manufacturers and two Florida-based distributors of hair products containing formaldehyde for 16 health violations involving alleged failures to protect their employees from possible formaldehyde exposure and to communicate with the products' users, such as salons and stylists, about the hazards of formaldehyde exposure. Proposed penalties for the companies total $49,200. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111314.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111314.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council, will convene a meeting by teleconference on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. EDT. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111317.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111317.htm In the week ending September 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 414,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 412,000. The 4-week moving average was 414,750, an increase of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average of 411,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111306.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111306.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has allocated $8,441,000 in health and safety training grants for fiscal year 2011. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111316.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111316.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has released $9,278,599 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Vermont. Vermont qualified for its remaining share of funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist part-time workers and people who are upgrading their skills. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111298.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111298.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the August 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111312.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111312.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today filed a complaint with the department's Office of Administrative Law Judges against federal contractor Leprino Foods Co. for discriminating against qualified African-American, Asian and Hispanic applicants for on-call laborer positions at the company's Lemoore West facility. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111291.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111291.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $277,617 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue providing training and re-employment services to about 200 workers affected by layoffs resulting from the closure of the Dell Inc.'s call center in Twin Falls, Idaho. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111307.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111307.htm In the week ending August 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 409,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 421,000. The 4-week moving average was 410,250, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average of 408,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111279.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111279.htm The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing revisions to child labor regulations that will strengthen the safety requirements for young workers employed in agriculture and related fields. The agricultural hazardous occupations orders under the Fair Labor Standards Act that bar young workers from certain tasks have not been updated since they were promulgated in 1970. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111250.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111250.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the United Employee Benefit Fund in Northbrook and its trustees, David Fensler and Anthony Monaco, following an investigation by the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration that found the defendants violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act with respect to loans issued from the fund.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111252.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111252.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued notices of a potential pattern of violations to Randolph Mine operated by Inman Energy and Justice No. 1 Mine operated by Independence Coal Co. Inc., both underground coal mines in Boone County, W.Va., that were formerly owned by Massey Energy.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111292.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111292.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111293.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111293.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today signed joint declarations and letters of arrangement with Ambassador Aníbal de Castro of the Dominican Republic, Ambassador Muni Figueres Boggs of Costa Rica and Ambassador Francisco Altschul of El Salvador to protect the labor rights of migrant workers from those countries who are employed in the United States. The ambassadors of Mexico, Nicaragua and Guatemala, who previously signed agreements with the Labor Department, also participated in the ceremony. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111278.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111278.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration will publish on Aug. 31 a proposed rule requiring that continuous mining machines used in underground coal mines be equipped with proximity detection systems. Proximity detection refers to a technology that can be installed on mining machinery to detect the presence of personnel or other machinery within a certain distance. These systems can be programmed to send warning signals and stop machine movement when the programmed areas are breached. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111285.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111285.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today released the following statement to commemorate Women's Equality Day: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111283.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111283.htm Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released today show little change in the number of workplace fatalities in 2010 compared with 2009. Last year, 4,547 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 4,551 fatal work injuries in 2009. In response, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111280.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111280.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued notices of a potential pattern of violations to two mines that received similar notices last November. Solid Fuel Inc.'s No. 1 Mine in Claiborne County, Tenn., formerly known as Wilcoal's Tri-State Mining, and Rhino Eastern LLC's Eagle 1 Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va., both implemented corrective action programs and successfully achieved their target improvements during the last PPOV evaluation. However, they have failed to maintain those health and safety improvements and again have met the PPOV criteria, a first in the history of the enforcement of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111000.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111000.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered Union Pacific Railroad Co., headquartered in Omaha, to pay a total of $400,000 in punitive damages, $90,315 in compensatory damages, $34,900 in attorney fees and more than $90,000 in back wages to three employees. Separate investigations by the Kansas City, Mo., and San Francisco, Calif., offices of the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined that the company violated the whistleblower protection provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating two employees and suspending one in retaliation for reporting workplace safety concerns and a work-related injury. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111259.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111259.htm In the week ending August 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 417,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 412,000. The 4-week moving average was 407,500, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 403,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111248.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111248.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 375 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and five metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 232 citations and 24 orders, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 108 citations and 11 orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111265.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111265.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced enhancements to its online enforcement database designed to improve public access to and understanding of the department's enforcement actions. The updated website includes a number of new features, including map displays of inspection and violation data from the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its Mine Safety and Health Administration, as well as the ability to view individual inspection records and the enforcement history of a particular company or mine. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111256.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111256.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,825,595 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 250 workers laid off by XL Four Star Beef Inc., following the June closure of the company's beef processing and packing plant in Nampa, Idaho. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111226.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111226.htm Two La Nopalera restaurants in Jacksonville and their owners have been ordered to pay 30 employees $934,425 in back wages and liquidated damages under the terms of consent judgments. The agreements resolve a U.S. Department of Labor lawsuit based on an investigation by its Wage and Hour Division that alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage, overtime pay and record-keeping provisions. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110991.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110991.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $918,010 National Emergency Grant to provide an array of services to about 325 workers being affected by layoffs at Polaris Industries in Osceola, Wis., and Robin Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. in Hudson, Wis., to assist them in gaining new employment. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111214.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111214.htm In the week ending August 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 408,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 399,000. The 4-week moving average was 402,500, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 406,00. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111222.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111222.htm Today, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury proposed new rules under the Affordable Care Act that will enable consumers to easily understand their health coverage and determine the best health insurance options for themselves and their families. Likewise, these proposed rules will assist employers in finding the best coverage for their business and their employees. Under the proposed rules announced today, health insurers and group health plans will provide consumers with clear, consistent and comparable information about their health plan benefits and coverage. The new forms, scheduled to be available in 2012, will be a critical resource for more than 180 million health insurance consumers with private health insurance coverage. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111232.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111232.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that an administrative law judge with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has entered a judgment of penalties totaling $905,825 against R and D Mine Coal Co. Inc. regarding citations issued to the operator more than four years ago. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111215.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111215.htm As part of continuing educational efforts by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration about the dangers of extreme heat, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the release of a free application for mobile devices that will enable workers and supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites in order to prevent heat-related illnesses. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111204.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111204.htm In the week ending August 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 395,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 402,000. The 4-week moving average was 405,000, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 408,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111190.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111190.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is considering the development of a new data tool to collect information on salaries, wages and other benefits paid to employees of federal contractors and subcontractors. The tool would improve OFCCP's ability to gather data that could be analyzed for indicators of discrimination, such as disparities faced by female and minority workers. To provide an opportunity for the public to submit feedback, the department published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the Aug. 10 edition of the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111208.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111208.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $16,233,360 National Emergency Grant that will create 1,144 temporary jobs to assist in cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of spring storms and flooding that occurred in Ohio. Communities across 15 counties located in the Appalachian region were affected by the storms, which occurred between April 4 and May 15. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111199.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20111199.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the decision to request an arbitral panel in a dispute over labor rights enforcement by Guatemala: I applaud U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk's decision today to request the establishment of an arbitral panel under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement in a dispute regarding the government of Guatemala's failure to effectively enforce its labor laws. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111206.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/ILAB20111206.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council, will meet Aug. 30–Sept. 1 at Labor Department headquarters, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, in Room C-5515-1A. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111191.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111191.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $670,000 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to approximately 145 former workers of FTCA Inc. who were affected by layoffs at the company's plant in Somerset, Pa. FTCA closed the travel trailer and recreational camper manufacturing facility in January. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111192.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111192.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced 23 grants totaling $5,436,148 to provide homeless veterans with job training aimed at helping them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded by the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service through the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20111184.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20111184.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the July 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111193.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111193.htm Today at the National Disability Forum in Washington, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced the availability of approximately $1.6 million in funding for the Add Us In initiative, which will fund up to three cooperative agreements with allotments ranging from $500,000 to $550,000 each. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111141.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111141.htm In the week ending July 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 400,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 401,000. The 4-week moving average was 407,750, a decrease of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 414,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111161.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111161.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the availability of $1 million in safety and health training grants to help identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines. The Brookwood-Sago grants program was established through a provision in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, and fiscal year 2011 funding will target the development and implementation of training and training materials for mine emergency preparedness as well as mine emergency prevention in underground mines. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111178.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111178.htm Alcoa Mill Products Inc. will pay $484,656.19 in back wages to 37 Hispanics and African-Americans as well as $35,516.88 to two women who all were rejected for job positions at the company's plant in Lancaster, Pa. The settlement resolves a finding by the U.S. Department of Labor that the company discriminated against Hispanic, African-American and female applicants for material handler positions. Alcoa Mill Products is part of Alcoa Inc., the world's leading producer of aluminum. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111168.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20111168.htm In a continuing effort to improve the Whistleblower Protection Program, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it is implementing additional measures to strengthen the program and is releasing an internal report detailing a recent top-to-bottom review of the program. OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of 21 statutes protecting employees who report violations of various workplace safety, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health care reform, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime and securities laws. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111136.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111136.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3 million National Emergency Grant to create 230 temporary jobs to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the aftermath of severe flooding along the Mississippi River in May and June. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111152.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111152.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3.75 million National Emergency Grant to provide training and support services to approximately 375 workers affected by the closure of Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital in Rome, Ga. The facility, a state-run mental health hospital for developmentally disabled and mentally ill patients, will be closing on Sept. 30. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111127.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111127.htm On July 31, the U.S. Department of Labor marked the 10th anniversary of administering the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to eligible workers and their survivors who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. The department has administered Part B of the EEOICPA since the program's inception in 2001, and was charged with the implementation of Part E, created by an amendment to the EEOICPA, on Oct. 28, 2004. To date, the department has paid more than $7.2 billion in compensation and medical benefits to over 71,400 eligible individuals. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20111160.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20111160.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has extended the public comment period for a proposed rule to revise the interpretation of "advice" as it pertains to the employer and labor relations consultant persuader reporting requirements of Section 203 of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. All public comments now must be received on or before Sept. 21. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/olms/olms20111157.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/olms/olms20111157.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of Richard Chavez: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111155.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111155.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 194 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 12 coal mines and two metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 154 citations, 12 orders and three safeguards, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 21 citations and four orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111137.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111137.htm In the week ending July 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 398,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 422,000. The 4-week moving average was 413,750, a decrease of 8,500 from the previous week's revised average of 422,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111119.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111119.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today released a midyear summary of mining deaths in the country. As of June 30, eight miners were killed in coal mining operations, and six in the metal and nonmetal sector. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111128.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111128.htm Kinder Morgan Inc. and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP have agreed to pay $830,422 in back wages to 4,659 current and former employees, resolving a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor that alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. According to a consent judgment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, the companies also are permanently enjoined from future violations of the FLSA.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111039.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20111039.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today on Employee Benefits in the United States, a component of the annual National Compensation Survey: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111133.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111133.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting nominations to fill five three-year vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council. The deadline to submit nominations is Sept. 16. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111108.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111108.htm A federal judge with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has issued a preliminary injunction ordering Darryl Koperna, doing business as S and M Coal Co., to stop mining at the Buck Mountain Slope Mine in Lykens, Pa., due to Koperna's violation of a closure order previously issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111070.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111070.htm In the week ending July 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 418,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 408,000. The 4-week moving average was 421,250, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average of 424,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111078.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111078.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $379,500 National Emergency Grant to provide training and employment services to about 200 workers affected by the closure of the Premier Bankcard call center in Spearfish, S.D. The company announced in May that it would be closing the center and permanently laying off its workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111073.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111073.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $248,878 National Emergency Grant to provide training and re-employment services for about 60 workers affected by layoffs at Thompson/Center Arms in Rochester, N.H., which began in January and will continue through the end of the year.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111087.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111087.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today released a new online publication, "Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers." Available on the website of the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau at http://www.dol.gov/wb/, the guide explains the unique experiences and needs of women veterans, and provides organizational self-assessment tools to aid service providers, such as social workers and community service organizations, that assist this population. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/wb20111058.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/wb20111058.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a permanent injunction in U.S. district court against CAM Mining LLC of Pike County, Ky., prohibiting advance communication of any federal mine inspection. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111088.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111088.htm On behalf of its Mine Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor has filed complaints in U.S. district courts against two companies in North Carolina and Texas to collect unpaid civil fines resulting from federal mine safety violations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111048.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111048.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $2.5 million competitive solicitation for a cooperative agreement to evaluate and monitor child labor projects funded by the agency. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111076.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111076.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $15 million competitive solicitation for a cooperative agreement to combat exploitative child labor internationally by implementing the Global Action Program. This initiative aims to advance and scale up ILAB's global efforts to reduce the prevalence of child labor and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations, including child domestic workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111075.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111075.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $15 million competitive solicitation for a cooperative agreement to support efforts to combat exploitative child labor in areas of sugarcane production in the Philippines. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111074.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20111074.htm Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy, today testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to discuss the U.S. Department of Labor's public and private partnership initiatives designed to connect people with disabilities and employment opportunities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111061.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111061.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced two contests with a total of $70,000 in prize money for software applications that showcase innovative uses of the department's data. The goal of the first contest is to connect unemployed workers with promising careers, and the goal of the second is to empower consumer choices about the hotel, motel, restaurant and retail industries. Information about both is posted at http://www.challenge.gov. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111068.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111068.htm In the week ending July 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 405,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 427,000. The 4-week moving average was 423,250, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average of 427,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111066.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111066.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration has issued a final regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to extend and align the applicability dates for its retirement plan fee disclosure rules. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111063.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20111063.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that the focus of this year's Preventive Roof/Rib Outreach Program is on improved mine rib control. In 2010, there were three rib fall fatalities and two roof falls that killed three miners. In addition, two miners have died so far this year as a result of underground rib failures. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111042.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111042.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has launched a first-of-its-kind federal website to make it easier for software developers to incorporate Labor Department data into online and mobile applications. The site features published application program interfaces, known as APIs, and software development kits, known as SDKs, which allow developers to remotely access data collected by the department. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111060.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111060.htm Members of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Office of Public Engagement and Office of Presidential Personnel will participate in a virtual town hall meeting hosted by Disability.gov, the federal government's website for disability-related information, on Thursday, July 14, from 1-2 p.m. EDT. The event will be streamed live on the site's home page. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111053.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20111053.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding record temperatures across the country: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111054.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111054.htm A Hyde Park contractor with a long history of violating workplace safety standards faces a total of $354,000 in new proposed fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, chiefly for exposing its employees to cave-in hazards at work sites in Cambridge and Framingham. Since 2000, P. Gioioso and Sons Inc., which is primarily engaged in the construction of underground water and sewer mains, had been cited seven times for repeat violations of OSHA's trenching and excavation safety standards prior to the citations resulting from these most recent inspections. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110985.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110985.htm The Obama administration today launched from New Orleans, La., Strong Cities, Strong Communities, to be known as SC2, a customized pilot initiative to strengthen capacity and spark economic growth in local communities, while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently. To accomplish these objectives, federal agencies will provide experienced staff to work directly with six cities: Chester, Pa.; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; Fresno, Calif.; Memphis, Tenn.; and New Orleans. Teams will work with local governments, the private sector and other institutions to leverage federal dollars and support the work being done at the local level to encourage economic growth community development. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111052.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111052.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the June 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111043.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111043.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that it has successfully obtained a court order prohibiting CAM Mining LLC of Pike County, Ky., from providing advance communication of an MSHA inspection. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111030.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20111030.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has obtained an agreement for Maryland's Prince George's County Public Schools system to pay $4,222,146 in back wages due 1,044 workers to resolve violations of the H-1B temporary foreign worker program. Investigators from the department found that PGCPS illegally reduced the wages of the H-1B workers by requiring them to pay fees that the school system was required to pay. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110996.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110996.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is seeking nominations for membership to the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health by Sept. 6. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111023.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111023.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the introduction of federal legislation to reform the unemployment insurance system: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111028.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111028.htm In the week ending July 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 418,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 432,000. The 4-week moving average was 424,750, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 427,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111014.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20111014.htm Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance Inc. has agreed to pay $1,520,705 in overtime back wages to 3,459 employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that disclosed significant and systemic violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act's overtime and record-keeping provisions. Violations occurred at 11 customer service call centers located in Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110976.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110976.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that Jay Williams will serve as the new director of recovery for auto communities and workers. Beginning on Aug. 8, Williams will lead the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers as it assists auto communities in identifying federal resources that may be used as part of their recovery efforts. Where resources are lacking, the office will recommend changes or new methods that can be used toward the revitalization of these communities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111025.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111025.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the importance of Trade Adjustment Assistance. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111019.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20111019.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $45,080,077 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 5,880 workers affected by layoffs from a number of private and public sector employers located in 20 central and southern California counties. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111007.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111007.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $13,964,651 National Emergency Grant supplemental award for the creation of temporary jobs to assist with ongoing clean up and recovery efforts after the tornado that devastated Joplin, Mo., as well as recovery efforts following flooding in the state's southern counties. The funds are being awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111006.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111006.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7,959,373 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and training services to about 4,455 workers affected by the closure of New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. of Fremont, Calif., and 39 of its supplier companies. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110990.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110990.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,435,544 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and training services to workers affected by layoffs in Tulare County, Calif. Funding will help workers prepare for careers in growing areas of the regional economy including agribusiness, renewable energy, supply chain logistics, health care and advanced manufacturing. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110981.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110981.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3 million National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts after severe storms and tornadoes struck the central and western areas of Massachusetts on June 1. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110989.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110989.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $17 million to two organizations that are providing meaningful job training and other employment preparation to at-risk individuals ages 18-24.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111013.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111013.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible workers who will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms and flooding in Illinois that began on April 19.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110959.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110959.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,201,250 National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers who will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms and flooding in Vermont that began on April 23.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110971.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110971.htm In the week ending June 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 428,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 429,000. The 4-week moving average was 426,750, an increase of 500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 426,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110994.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110994.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $97,729,219 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Washington. The state qualified for its remaining share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist workers who become unemployed because of compelling family reasons as well as workers who are upgrading their skills. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110997.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110997.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $83,941,360 in grants through the National Farmworker Jobs Program to combat the chronic unemployment and underemployment experienced by migrant and seasonal farmworkers who depend primarily on agricultural labor jobs. A total of $78,253,180 will go to 52 organizations nationwide to provide training, employment and support services for farmworkers and their families. An additional $5,688,600 will go to 16 organizations to provide temporary or permanent housing assistance. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110998.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110998.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the retirement of Rep. Lynn Woolsey of California: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110995.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110995.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs today released a final rule that revises and modernizes the procedures used in administering claims under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. The rule, published in the June 28 Federal Register, modernizes those procedures to increase fairness and efficiency, updates the regulations to account for recent statutory changes and incorporates advances in technology that preserve administrative resources. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110975.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110975.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has released a new directive to outline the process by which federal supply and service contractors can apply for Functional Affirmative Action Program agreements, which can be viewed at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/directives/dir296.htm. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110973.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110973.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 428 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 15 coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 339 citations, 12 orders and two safeguards, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 62 citations and 13 orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110984.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110984.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $337,897 grant to assist about 60 workers affected by the closure of Associated Grocers of Maine Inc. in Gardiner, Maine. The grocery distributor announced in April that it would be shutting down its distribution, logistics and transportation operations, and consequently laying off all of its employees. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110953.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110953.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $557,433 grant to provide training and supportive services to about 175 workers affected by layoffs at Tyco Electronics facilities in Eden Prairie and Shakopee, Minn. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110942.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110942.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $117,453 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide re-employment services to more than 100 workers affected by layoffs within the manufacturing sector in eastern Iowa. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110951.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110951.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,995,170 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide training and re-employment services to about 550 workers throughout the state of Delaware affected by layoffs at Delaware City-based Valero Energy Corp. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110943.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110943.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $5.5 million funding for four grantees under the Young Parents Demonstration Program. The grants are being awarded to community and faith-based organizations in Los Angeles, Calif.; Asheville, N.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Worcester, Mass., to provide intensive mentoring services for low-income parents and expectant parents ages 16–24, as a supplement to educational and occupational skills training available through existing workforce development programs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110979.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110979.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has released new training tools to help miners better understand their rights and responsibilities under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. Section 105(c) of the act prohibits discrimination against miners, applicants for employment and representatives of miners for exercising statutory rights, especially those rights that concern safety or health activities such as identifying hazards, requesting MSHA inspections or refusal to engage in unsafe work. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110958.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110958.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,412,754 National Emergency Grant increment to continue training and re-employment services to about 600 workers affected by layoffs at nine companies in the metro south/west region of Massachusetts representing the information, manufacturing, retail and transportation industries. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110933.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110933.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,279,199 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 720 workers affected by layoffs throughout the commonwealth of Massachusetts as a result of the closure of AJWright stores, including individuals formerly employed at the company's corporate headquarters, distribution center and retail stores. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110930.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110930.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced $39.7 million in grants to help individuals with significant barriers to employment — specifically, low-income non-custodial parents and ex-offenders — obtain the skills they need in the workplace through Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration programs. The programs will offer more than 3,500 people temporary, paid work experiences to improve their employability, earnings and opportunities for advancement, as well as promote their self-sufficiency and long-term success in the workforce. At least $15 million of the funding is dedicated to assisting ex-offenders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110963.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110963.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $657,841 National Emergency Grant to assist about 200 workers affected by layoffs on April 1 at Katahdin Paper Co. in East Millinocket, Maine. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110932.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110932.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $707,550 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide retraining and re-employment services to about 450 workers affected by layoffs at Chrysler LLC in Newark, Del., General Motors Corp. in Wilmington, Del., and five suppliers to the two companies. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110934.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110934.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration will hold a June 29 public briefing on its investigation into the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va. The briefing, to begin at 10 a.m. EDT, will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the start of the agency's underground investigation at the Upper Big Branch Mine and will be held at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W.Va. A Q-and-A session for the public will take place at the conclusion of the briefing and end by 12:45 p.m., to be followed by a press availability. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110954.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110954.htm In the week ending June 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 429,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 420,000. The 4-week moving average was 426,250, unchanged from the previous week's revised average of 426,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110922.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110922.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has announced a 14-day extension of the comment period for its proposed rule to revise regulations implementing Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Notice of the extension has been published in the June 22 Federal Register and can be viewed at http://s.dol.gov/GE. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110947.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110947.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded six organizations a total of $38 million in Green Jobs Innovation Fund grants to serve workers in 19 states and the District of Columbia. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110949.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110949.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council, will meet July 19–21 at Labor Department headquarters, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20210, in Room C-5515-1A.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110955.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110955.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7,666,392 National Emergency Grant to assist about 6,530 U.S. Department of Defense civilian workers, contractors and military spouses impacted by the realignments and closures of military facilities in the District of Columbia and Maryland. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110871.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110871.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,593,515 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 690 workers affected by the closure of Masco Retail Cabinet Group in Pike County, Ohio. Although layoffs at the company's facilities in Waverly and Seal Township began in May 2010, a majority of the workers are being laid off this month.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110887.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110887.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced 15 grants totaling $20 million through the Civic Justice Corps program to help formerly incarcerated individuals ages 18-24 reconnect with their communities and find pathways to success through community service and educational opportunities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110944.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110944.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $48.7 million in funding for 37 states and the District of Columbia to implement re-employment and eligibility assessments for beneficiaries of unemployment insurance. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110931.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110931.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that a final rule will be published June 21 in the Federal Register on the maintenance of the incombustible content of rock dust. The rulemaking came about as a result of the agency's review of accident investigation reports of mine explosions in intake air courses that involved coal dust, as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's report "Recommendations for a New Rock Dusting Standard to Prevent Coal Dust Explosions in Intake Airways," which can be viewed at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2825.htm. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110941.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110941.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a proposed rule to revise the interpretation of "advice" as it pertains to the employer and labor relations consultant persuader reporting requirements of Section 203 of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. The proposal adopts the plain meaning of the term "advice" as "an oral or written recommendation regarding a decision or course of conduct." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/olms/olms20110924.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/olms/olms20110924.htm ThyssenKrupp Elevator Manufacturing Inc. has agreed to pay a total of $288,333 to 248 female job applicants who were systematically rejected for assembler/packer and utility positions at the company's facility in Middleton from January to December 2005, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. In addition to the financial remedy, TKE will extend 23 job offers to affected women as positions become available. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110903.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110903.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, Guatemalan Ambassador Francisco Villagrán De Léon and Nicaraguan Ambassador Francisco Campbell today signed declarations that will make it easier to protect the rights of Guatemalan and Nicaraguan citizens who work in the United States. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110880.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110880.htm In the week ending June 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 414,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 430,000. The 4-week moving average was 424,750, unchanged from the previous week's revised average of 424,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110893.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110893.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $838,680,283 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of California. California qualified for its full share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist recent entrants to the workforce, part-time workers and workers who become unemployed because of compelling family reasons. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110900.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110900.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, through which a total of $4.7 million is available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations, employer associations and labor unions. The grants will fund training for workers and employers to recognize workplace hazards and appropriate control measures, and to understand their rights and responsibilities under OSHA's regulations and standards. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110816.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110816.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today proposed penalties of $1,939,000 to the Phenix Lumber Co. and its principal, John M. Dudley, for egregious and other safety violations, including exposing employees to amputation and fall hazards. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110788.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110788.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited AL Solutions Inc. for exposing workers to workplace safety and health hazards following an explosion and fire at the company's New Cumberland facility that caused the deaths of three workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110881.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110881.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $1.3 million in unpaid prevailing wages and fringe benefits for 67 employees of CAL Construction Co. Inc., a Chelsea, Mass.-based contractor, for work performed on a Long Island, N.Y., low-income housing project funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The company and owner Cesar A. Lemus, in addition to making this payment, have been debarred from bidding or working on future federally funded contracts for a period of three years. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110691.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110691.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that the newly formed District 12 office within the agency's Coal Mine Safety and Health division has begun operations. MSHA initiated the process of splitting the agency's jurisdiction over southern West Virginia coal mines – formerly all covered by District 4 – into two separate districts earlier this year. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110852.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110852.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,263,164 National Emergency Grant increment to continue services for about 1,050 workers affected by layoffs at Monaco Coach Corp. in Coburg, Ore. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110853.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110853.htm A Lewiston, Me., roofing contractor with a long history of violating workplace safety standards faces a total of $243,360 in proposed fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration following a January inspection that resulted in citations for alleged egregious willful, serious and repeat violations for a lack of fall protection and other hazards. OSHA previously had cited Lessard Brothers Construction Inc. and its predecessor, Lessard Roofing and Siding Inc., 10 times for fall protection violations at various Maine work sites. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110778.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110778.htm The White House today announced the establishment of the first White House Rural Council. While rural communities face challenges, they also present economic potential. To address these challenges, build on the administration's rural economic strategy and improve the implementation of that strategy, the president signed an executive order establishing the White House Rural Council. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110894.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110894.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointments of four additional members to the Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110671.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110671.htm In the week ending June 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 427,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 426,000. The 4-week moving average was 424,000, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average of 426,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110851.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110851.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a competition for grants totaling more than $5 million through the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program to provide approximately 3,000 homeless veterans with job training and other services to help them succeed in civilian careers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110877.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110877.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services' Child Protective Services Division in Austin for failing to pay 800 current and former investigators and case workers overtime compensation as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit seeks back wages of more than $1 million, plus liquidated damages. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110837.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110837.htm In two separate actions, administrative law judges have ordered Columbia Fruit Farms Inc., its owners Anthony DiMeo and William DiMeo, and crew leader Sorel Rinvil to pay $28,449 plus interest in civil money penalties to resolve violations found during investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division dating back to 2008. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110790.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110790.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of eight new members to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. The committee members will serve two-year terms and represent the interests of the public, employers, employees and government. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110824.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110824.htm AstraZeneca, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, will pay $250,000 to 124 women who were subjected to pay discrimination while working at the corporation's Philadelphia Business Center in Wayne, Pa. The action resolves a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor in May 2010 alleging that the company discriminated against female sales specialists by paying them salaries that were, on average, $1,700 less than their male counterparts. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110829.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110829.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,276,514 National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding struck Kentucky in April. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110813.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110813.htm Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Dr. David Michaels has signed an agreement renewing OSHA's partnership with Ford Motor Co., the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America and Automotive Component Holdings LLC, and welcoming the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a new partner. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110495.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110495.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts that began in October 2010 following destruction in Puerto Rico caused by Tropical Storm Otto. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110811.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110811.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the May 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110856.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110856.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a one-month period for public comment on a preliminary plan to revise department regulations. Members of the public who wish to provide feedback on the "Preliminary Plan for Retrospective Analysis of Existing Rules" are encouraged to do so via a recently launched Web page — http://www.dol.gov/regulations/regreview.htm — established for that purpose. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/asp/oasp20110842.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/asp/oasp20110842.htm In the week ending May 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 422,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 428,000. The 4-week moving average was 425,500, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised average of 439,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110810.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110810.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced 122 grants totaling more than $28 million to provide approximately 17,000 veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110814.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110814.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced 22 grants totaling more than $9 million to provide approximately 4,000 veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans Workforce Investment Program to continue successful programs into second and third years. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110815.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110815.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants of $1,170,000 each to 10 organizations to provide training, employment and support services to adult former inmates returning to their communities after serving time in justice facilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110836.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110836.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 255 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and seven metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 125 citations and 36 orders, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 93 citations and one order. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110834.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110834.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $471,150 National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, tornadoes and associated flooding that struck Oklahoma last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110795.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110795.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,690,122 National Emergency Grant increment to continue services to existing participants and to increase the number of workers to be trained in aerospace occupations as a result of the realignment of military installations in Oklahoma. About 885 individuals will be served under this grant. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110797.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110797.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $20 million to fund programs that will improve education, training and employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities. A solicitation for grant applications is published in today's edition of the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110774.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110774.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration has announced that it will publish in tomorrow's Federal Register a notice proposing to extend and align the applicability dates for its retirement plan fee disclosure rules. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110775.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110775.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,822,352 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of tornado damage in Missouri, including the May 22 tornado that devastated Joplin. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110796.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110796.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs will publish a revised list of products that federal contractors must certify under Executive Order 13126 are not produced with forced or indentured child labor. The list will appear in the May 31 edition of the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110784.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110784.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration marked the upcoming weekend's unofficial start of summer with its annual warning to outdoor enthusiasts who may stray – knowingly or otherwise – onto mine property. Each year, numerous children and adults are injured or killed while engaging in recreational pursuits at active and abandoned mine sites around the country. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110817.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110817.htm A federal judge in Urbana has ordered Dolores Onate, owner, and Ricardo Onate, manager, of the El Matador Inc. and El Caporal Inc. restaurants in Decatur to pay a total of $1,149,702.50 in back wages and damages to 64 workers employed as servers and kitchen staff. This judgment resolves a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor following an investigation by its Wage and Hour Division that disclosed willful violations of the minimum wage, overtime pay and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act at three locations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110690.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110690.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced the forthcoming release of a final rule that streamlines and simplifies standards while reducing employer burdens. The rule, which soon will be published in the Federal Register, will help keep OSHA standards up-to-date and better enable employers to comply with their regulatory obligations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110749.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110749.htm An administrative law judge with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission in Denver, Colo., has affirmed an other-than-serious safety citation issued to Peoria-based Caterpillar Logistics Services by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration in June 2009. The company was cited for failing to record a worker's musculoskeletal disorder on the company's OSHA 300 log and assessed a proposed penalty of $900. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110768.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110768.htm In the week ending May 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 424,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 414,000. The 4-week moving average was 438,500, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average of 440,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110766.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110766.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,758,327 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, tornadoes and associated flooding that struck Arkansas last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110779.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110779.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued penalties of $1,247,400 to AMD Industries Inc. in Cicero after five unprotected and untrained workers allegedly were required to conduct asbestos removal exposing them to this cancer-causing material. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110701.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110701.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that Administrative Law Judge Kenneth R. Andrews with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has ruled in the agency's favor in two separate but similar cases brought by Massey Energy and Peabody Energy, respectively. The cases concern the controlling companies' refusal to turn over accident, injury and illness data during audits conducted by MSHA between October and December 2010. These audits were conducted in an effort to determine if specific mines met the criteria that would make them eligible to receive notifications of a potential pattern of violations. Eight mines were cited for refusing to provide the necessary records. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110785.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110785.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that its order charging Pine Ridge Coal Co. LLC of Seth, W.Va., with committing an unwarrantable failure to comply with the law has been upheld by Administrative Law Judge Thomas McCarthy. The order stemmed from the operator's violation of 30 C.F.R. § 50.10, which requires mine operators to notify MSHA of any reportable roof falls without delay – but within no more than 15 minutes – once the operator knows or should know that a reportable accident has occurred. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110760.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110760.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a survey of private sector employers as a tool toward better designing future rules, compliance assistance and outreach efforts. As many as 19,000 employers nationwide will receive the Baseline Survey of Safety and Health Practices, which asks questions about workplace safety and health management practices. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110676.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110676.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,589,704 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and associated flooding that struck Tennessee last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110773.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110773.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1.5 million National Emergency Grant incremental award to assist workers affected by the closure of Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. Under this grant, about 1,345 workers to be dislocated between now and September 2011 will be provided with training and re-employment services over the next year. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110752.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110752.htm Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, today issued the following statement regarding the release of the Upper Big Branch Independent Investigation Report: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110767.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110767.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a judgment requiring Los Angeles-based Global Horizons Inc. and president Mordechai Orian to pay $153,000 in back wages to 88 temporary agricultural workers from Thailand employed in Hawaii, plus $194,000 in civil money penalties, for committing significant violations of the federal H-2A temporary nonimmigrant agricultural laborer program. Administrative Law Judge William Dorsey found Global Horizons and Orian jointly and severally liable for 11 categories of violations, warranting back wage payments, penalty assessments and a mandatory three-year debarment from participation in the H-2A program. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110740.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110740.htm In the week ending May 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 409,000, a decrease of 29,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 438,000. The 4-week moving average was 439,000, an increase of 1,250 from the previous week's revised average of 437,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110721.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110721.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has issued 10 withdrawal orders at Bledsoe Coal Corp.'s Abner Branch Rider Mine, just one month after the Leslie County, Ky., operation received a notice of a pattern of violations. These orders mark an unprecedented use by the agency of an enforcement action under Section 104(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110750.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110750.htm From an event at a YouthBuild facility in Chicago, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced grants totaling $75,848,000 from fiscal year 2011 appropriations to fund 76 YouthBuild programs in 36 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of that amount, $75,411,688 represents total funding for 74 programs. The remaining amount supplements awards for two programs partially funded earlier this year from fiscal year 2010 appropriations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110737.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110737.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited steel manufacturer Republic Engineered Products Inc. in Lorain for seven willful and three repeat safety violations, with proposed penalties totaling $563,000, for failing to protect workers from fall hazards and implement adequate energy source lockout/tagout procedures to prevent injury from hazardous equipment. The company also has been placed in OSHA's Severe Violators Enforcement Program, which focuses enforcement resources on employers that have demonstrated indifference to their Occupational Safety and Health Act obligations by committing willful, repeated or failure-to-abate violations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110716.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110716.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration tomorrow will reopen the public record on a proposed rule to revise the Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements regulation. Notice of the reopening will be published May 17 in the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110710.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110710.htm A U.S. district court has upheld a subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration requesting documents from Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. concerning inspections and reports the company prepared for Haasbach LLC. Two teenage workers were killed in a grain engulfment at Haasbach's Mount Carroll, Ill., site in July 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110706.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110706.htm In the week ending May 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 434,000, a decrease of 44,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 478,000. The 4-week moving average was 436,750, an increase of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average of 432,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110683.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110683.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $6,498,100 National Emergency Grant to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the tsunami waves that struck California's Crescent City in Del Norte County and coastal areas of Santa Cruz County on March 11, following the magnitude-9 earthquake in Japan. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110672.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110672.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $463,083 National Emergency Grant to provide training and re-employment services to about 75 workers affected by layoffs at Maine Military Authority in Limestone, Maine. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110666.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110666.htm Sandra Polaski, deputy undersecretary of labor for international affairs, today testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance to discuss labor rights and conditions in Colombia, the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement's labor provisions and the Colombian Action Plan Related to Labor Rights. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110699.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110699.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Interstate Mining Compact Commission to facilitate communications that promote and protect the nation's mining workforce. With the signing of the MOU, MSHA and the member states of the IMCC pledge to consult, coordinate and cooperate effectively and efficiently in carrying out this goal. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110714.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110714.htm Malcolm-Jamal Warren, a student at the Guthrie Job Corps Center in Guthrie, Okla., created a unique picture that depicts the beauty of the Gulf Coast, which has been used as part of an award honoring the service and dedication of U.S. Department of Labor employees during the aftermath of the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110694.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110694.htm Unique, handcrafted awards honoring the service and dedication of U.S. Department of Labor employees following the Upper Big Branch mining disaster in West Virginia last year were created by students from the Westover Job Corps Center in Chicopee, Mass. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110695.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110695.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5 million National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that struck Georgia last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110705.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110705.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of its first application for smartphones, a timesheet to help employees independently track the hours they work and determine the wages they are owed. Available in English and Spanish, users conveniently can track regular work hours, break time and any overtime hours for one or more employers. Glossary, contact information and materials about wage laws are easily accessible through links to the Web pages of the department's Wage and Hour Division. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110686.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110686.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today released 25 transcripts of witness interviews from the investigation of the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion that occurred in April 2010. These transcripts, from interviews covering mine rescue and recovery activities immediately following the blast, are now available on MSHA's website at http://www.msha.gov. They represent the first set in a series of interview transcripts that MSHA, with the approval of the U.S. Department of Justice, plans to release over the coming months. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110697.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110697.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7 million National Emergency Grant to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that struck Mississippi last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110670.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110670.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the April 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110693.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110693.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $17.2 million for a third year of funding for four Young Offender State and Local Implementation grants and one Young Offender Intermediary grant. The four state and local programs will continue to provide training, employment and supportive services to youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system. The intermediary grantee will continue implementing a model program for returning juvenile offenders. All five grants originally were awarded in 2009. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110163.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110163.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a continuation of grants amounting to more than $17.3 million for a third round of funding to nine schools in three public school districts that have been identified by their state educational agencies as "persistently dangerous" due to high levels of disruption and violence. Baltimore, Md.; New York State's Berkshire Union Free State; and Philadelphia, Pa., initially were granted funds in 2007. With a second round of funding awarded in 2009, selected schools continue to make progress through steady improvements in ninth grade attendance levels, ninth to tenth grade promotion rates and reduced suspension rates. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110167.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110167.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $280,000 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide an estimated 263 additional jobless workers in Georgia with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage. An initial award of $297,000 was approved on March 4, 2010, to serve about 280 workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110665.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110665.htm In the week ending April 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 474,000, an increase of 43,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 431,000. The 4-week moving average was 431,250, an increase of 22,250 from the previous week's revised average of 409,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110624.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110624.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a nationwide photography contest: Picture It! Safe Workplaces for Everyone. OSHA challenges anyone with a passion for photography to capture an image of workplace safety and health and share it with the agency. The goal of the contest is collaborate with the public — relying on the talent, imagination and creativity of participants — to kick off a national effort to raise awareness about workplace safety and health. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110629.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110629.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $918,702 grant to provide training and job search services to about 175 workers affected by the closure of the NewPage Corp. paper mill in Stevens Point, Wis. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110605.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110605.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $10 million National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that struck Alabama last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110653.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110653.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 20 withdrawal orders and five citations to Randolph Mine in Boone County, W.Va., during an impact inspection conducted in April. Eleven of the orders were issued for violations of the ventilation plan at the underground coal mine owned by Massey Energy and operated by Inman Energy. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110659.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110659.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered nearly $2.9 million in back wages for more than 500 employees of Stanley Associates Inc. and several subcontractors at various locations in St. Albans and Essex Junction, Vt. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110631.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110631.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued 33 citations to the Parker Hannifin Corp. plant in Batesville, alleging numerous safety and health violations as the result of an inspection that began November 2010. Proposed penalties total $487,700. Cleveland, Ohio-based Parker Hannifin has 170 facilities throughout the U.S. and manufactures machinery for hydraulics, air conditioning, refrigeration and aerospace systems. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110469.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110469.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $279,373 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and training services to about 280 workers affected by layoffs at the Cessna Aircraft Co. facility located in Bend, Ore. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110604.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110604.htm U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it will hold four public hearings on two proposed rules: "Examinations of Work Areas in Underground Coal Mines" and "Pattern of Violations." Each hearing will cover the major issues raised by public input in response to the proposed rules. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110641.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110641.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of approximately $240 million through the H-1B technical skills training grant competition. The U.S. Department of Labor expects to fund 75-100 grants through a single solicitation. Individual grants will range from $1 million to $5 million and will be distributed through two rounds of funding. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110614.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110614.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a final rule to protect the safety and health of shipyard workers, which is published in today's edition of the Federal Register. The rule updates existing requirements to reflect advances in industry practices and technology, and provides new protections from hazards that previously were not addressed, including the control of hazardous energy. It is expected to prevent about 350 serious injuries each year. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110358.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110358.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has extended the comment period on the proposed rule: Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors. In response to requests from interested parties, the comment period, which originally was to end May 2, has been extended until May 31. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110638.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110638.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its full commitment to implementing equal employment opportunity policies for all department employees and applicants. The policies ensure equal protections for all employees and applicants regardless of race; color; religion; national origin; sex, including pregnancy and gender identity; age; disability, whether physical or mental; genetic information; status as a parent; sexual orientation; or other non-merit factor. New, robust statements signed by Secretary Solis include updated policies on prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, including gender identity and pregnancy. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/oasam/OASAM20110618.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/oasam/OASAM20110618.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced protocols to complete the portion of the U visa nonimmigrant status application requiring certification by a law enforcement agency that the applicant is a victim of a qualifying crime and willing to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of that crime. U visas, as they are known, are designed to help victims of qualifying criminal activities who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse. Individuals who receive U visas may remain in the United States for up to four years and may eventually apply for permanent residency. U visas are issued by U.S. Customs and Immigration Services. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110619.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110619.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announces the award of approximately $7.2 million in funds for 18 third-generation grantees to continue assistance for adult offenders who are returning to communities from incarceration. The purpose of these grants is to provide an employment-centered approach to reintegration that improves long-term labor market prospects for former offenders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110615.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110615.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the official theme for October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month: "Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities." The theme honors the contributions of workers with disabilities and serves to inform the public that they represent a highly skilled talent pool that can help employers compete in today's global economy. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20110609.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20110609.htm In the week ending April 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 429,000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 404,000. The 4-week moving average was 408,500, an increase of 9,250 from the previous week's revised average of 399,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110583.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110583.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a partial summary judgment requiring Hill Country Farms, doing business as Henry's Turkey Service, and president Kenneth Henry to pay more than $1.76 million in back wages and liquidated damages for violating the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The judgment partially resolves a lawsuit filed by the Labor Department following an investigation by the Des Moines District Office of its Wage and Hour Division.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110595.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110595.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today will announce, from Anaheim, Calif., a national outreach initiative by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to educate workers and their employers about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat and steps needed to prevent heat-related illnesses. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110594.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110594.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of Larry Marek: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110599.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110599.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today announced a proposed rule to strengthen affirmative action requirements of federal contractors and subcontractors for veterans protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Veterans protected by VEVRAA include those with disabilities and those recently discharged as well as those who served during a war, campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized. The proposed rule will be published in the April 26 edition of the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110567.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110567.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today published in the Federal Register a request for information seeking public comments and relevant information to assist the department in updating three reports released in 2010 on child labor and forced labor in foreign countries. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110575.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110575.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on Earth Day: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110590.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110590.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 134 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and eight metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 55 citations, four orders and one safeguard; the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 69 citations and five orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110587.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110587.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the first anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110584.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110584.htm In the week ending April 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 403,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 416,000. The 4-week moving average was 399,000, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 396,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110551.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110551.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $335,400 National Emergency Grant to assist about 100 workers affected by layoffs at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., which occurred in September 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110561.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110561.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that its Inspectors' Portable Application for Laptops, or IPAL, is now equipped with an online tool to alert federal inspectors that certain violations will be reviewed for special assessment as flagrant violations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110568.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110568.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $284,023 National Emergency Grant to assist recovery efforts following the March 11 tsunami wave surge. Awarded to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, the funds will be used to create temporary jobs to help repair damage to coastal areas of Curry County. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110529.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110529.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $1 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Otto that struck Puerto Rico in October 2010. Awarded to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, the funds will create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist in these efforts. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110541.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110541.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $3,849,481 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts in southern Texas in the wake of Hurricane Alex. This increment, awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, will fund temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist in those efforts. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110539.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110539.htm Outland Renewable Services has been issued six citations for willful safety violations after a wind farm technician suffered severe burns from an electrical arc flash on Oct. 20, 2010. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the citations following an investigation at the Iberdrola Streator Cayuga Ridge South Wind Farm near Odell. The company, a servicing and maintenance provider in the wind tower industry, faces proposed penalties of $378,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110527.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110527.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced it has posted on its website audit reports by the agency's Office of Accountability from 2008 to 2010. A report summarizing these audits was provided to the House and Senate Appropriations committees in March 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110564.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110564.htm The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit rejected a challenge by the National Roofing Contractors Association to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's December 2010 directive on the use of fall protection in residential construction. The directive withdrew an earlier one that allowed certain residential construction employers to bypass some fall protection requirements. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110543.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110543.htm In the week ending April 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 412,000, an increase of 27,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 385,000. The 4-week moving average was 395,750, an increase of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average of 390,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110509.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110509.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of Sidney Harman: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110547.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110547.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has issued a notice of a pattern of violations to two coal mining operations under Section 104(e) of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. Bledsoe Coal Corp.'s Abner Branch Rider Mine in Leslie County, Ky., and The New West Virginia Mining Co.'s Apache Mine in McDowell County, W.Va., are the first mines in the history of the Mine Act to be subject to the full effect of this enforcement action, which targets mines with chronic and persistent health and safety violations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110532.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110532.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has debarred HWA Inc., President John Wood and Vice President Barbara Wood from future government contracts for three years, due to significant and repeated violations of the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. Seattle-based HWA provided security services as a contractor to various federal facilities, government offices and public works projects in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Missouri and New York. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110262.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110262.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $808,316 National Emergency Grant to assist about 128 workers affected by multiple small dislocations at 77 companies throughout eastern Kentucky. The companies from which workers have been laid off represent a variety of industries, including construction, mining, auto parts, computer/IT services, trucking, manufacturing, tax services, education, health, law, banking, retail and pharmacy, among others. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110526.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110526.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is issuing a hazard alert to hair salon owners and workers about potential formaldehyde exposure from working with some hair smoothing and straightening products. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110499.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110499.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding Equal Pay Day, which will be tomorrow, April 12: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/wb20110531.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/wb20110531.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,972,529 National Emergency Grant incremental award to continue re-employment services for about 2,580 workers affected by layoffs and plant closures at 80 companies throughout Wisconsin, predominantly in the manufacturing sector. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110481.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110481.htm For 25 years, the health insurance continuation provisions in the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, better known as COBRA, have guaranteed that when workers and their families face certain life events, they have the opportunity to maintain their health care coverage. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement marking this anniversary: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110493.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110493.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a petition in U.S. district court in Cincinnati seeking to recover from Hamilton Avenue Animal Hospital $85,253 in back wages and damages for 21 workers at its two locations, Hamilton Avenue Animal Hospital in Pleasant Run and Sycamore Animal Hospital in Symmes Township. An investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division determined that the company and its owners, Michael Cable and Stephanie Cable, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by requiring some animal handlers to pay earned overtime premium wages back to them. The petition also seeks to hold the defendants in contempt for violating an injunction entered in a 2007 court order. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110433.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110433.htm In the week ending April 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 382,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 392,000. The 4-week moving average was 389,500, a decrease of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average of 395,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110460.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110460.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the availability of an online service that enables mine operators, miners and others to monitor a mining operation to determine if it could be subject to a potential pattern of violations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110497.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110497.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is soliciting public comments to assist in determining whether and possibly how to expand or modify current rules regarding the electronic distribution of employee benefit plan information. Plan information, such as quarterly account statements, is required to be disclosed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which is enforced by the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110483.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110483.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of 15 new members to the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, which will hold an open meeting on April 19 and 20 at the U.S. Department of Labor's headquarters in Washington. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110413.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110413.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment requiring the payment of $610,000 in back wages, interest and penalties by Westbury Manor, including a finding that the catering hall and restaurant and its executives were in contempt of a 2005 court order for violating the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The judgment resolves a lawsuit filed by the department following an investigation by its Wage and Hour Division, which found that the catering hall and restaurant had failed to pay minimum wages and overtime premiums to employees, and had violated the recordkeeping and child labor provisions of the FLSA. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110356.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110356.htm Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, today issued the following statement regarding the one-year anniversary of the coal mine explosion that claimed 29 lives at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110482.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110482.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited North Central Farmers Elevator in Ipswich, S.D., with six willful violations for exposing workers to being engulfed by grain. Proposed penalties total $378,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110346.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110346.htm An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found Maryland's Prince George's County Public Schools system in willful violation of the laws that govern the H-1B temporary foreign worker visa program. Investigators found that PGCPS illegally reduced the wages of 1,044 foreign teachers hired under the H-1B program by requiring the payment of $4,224,146 in fees. The Labor Department is responsible for ensuring H-1B workers are paid in accordance with the law and that employers do not misuse visa programs in ways that adversely affect U.S. workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110357.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110357.htm Joseph A. Main assistant secretary of labor for the Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued a statement about MSHA's final report into the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110472.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110472.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the March 2011 Employment Situation report released today: "Our nation's labor market improved notably in the month of March. Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 216,000, and the unemployment rate decreased to 8.8 percent. Over the last four months, the unemployment rate has fallen by a full percentage point – its largest decline since 1984. Today's numbers highlight steady, sustained and widespread job growth. Private employment has now grown for 13 consecutive months, with February and March showing the strongest growth since early 2006. And since its low point in February 2010, private sector employment has risen by 1.8 million." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110466.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110466.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement commemorating the legacy of Cesar Chavez: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110464.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110464.htm Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, andMax Stier, president and chief executive officer of the Partnership for Public Service, today signed an alliance agreement to advance President Obama's executive order to increase federal hiring of people with disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20110447.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20110447.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $300,000 National Emergency Grant increment to continue recovery and cleanup efforts in the wake of severe storms and flooding that struck Puerto Rico in May 2010. Awarded to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, the grant is funding temporary jobs filled by eligible dislocated workers assigned to recovery efforts.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110456.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110456.htm In the week ending March 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 388,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 394,000. The 4-week moving average was 394,250, a increase of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 391,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110430.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110430.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has upheld civil penalties assessed against Stillhouse Mining LLC for four flagrant violations of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The violations were found during a Dec. 3, 2006, inspection of the company's Mine No. 1 operation near Cumberland, Ky. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110458.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110458.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $202,395 National Emergency Grant to assist about 70 workers affected by the closure of a Whirlpool Corp. manufacturing facility in Benton Harbor, Mich. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110428.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110428.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $500,000 National Emergency Grant to provide an estimated 500 jobless workers in West Virginia with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110419.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110419.htm Arizona Pipeline Co. has agreed to pay $750,000 in back wages to 740 employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found that the company violated the overtime and record keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110380.htm http://www.dol.go/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110380.htmv The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $5.5 million under the Young Parents Demonstration Program. In the third round of this program, the department will competitively award four to six grantees between $500,000 and $1.5 million each. Grantees are encouraged to serve young parents who are victims of child abuse, are homeless or have run away from home, are Native American/Indian, are migrants, have incarcerated parents, are involved with or at risk of involvement with court systems, have disabilities, and are in or aging out of foster care. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110444.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110444.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it will hold a briefing on June 29 to share with the public information gathered during the investigation of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va. The briefing will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the start of the underground investigation at the Upper Big Branch Mine and will be held at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beckley, W.Va. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110454.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110454.htm Levi Strauss and Co. has agreed to pay $1,011,413 in overtime back wages to 596 employees nationwide after the U.S. Department of Labor found that the company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110379.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110379.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 166 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at seven coal mines and one dimension stone quarry last month. The seven coal mines were issued 127 citations and four orders; the quarry operation was issued 27 citations and eight orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110437.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110437.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today applauded a ruling by Chief Administrative Law Judge Covette Rooney of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission upholding the citation and full penalty issued to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for inadequate crowd management following a November 2008 trampling death of a worker at one of the company's retail locations in New York. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110308.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110308.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of Geraldine Ferraro: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110457.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110457.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is reminding agricultural workers in South Florida that their rights are protected by the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act's Field Sanitation Standard. Virtually all employees engaged in agriculture are covered by federal law because they produce goods for interstate commerce. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110336.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110336.htm In the week ending March 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 382,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 387,000. The 4-week moving average was 385,250, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 386,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110393.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110393.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in partnership with the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, today announced a series of three teleconferences to reach out to the small business community for input on OSHA's proposal to add a column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders on employer injury and illness logs. This proposal would require those employers already mandated to keep injury and illness records to add the step of checking a column when recording work-related musculoskeletal disorders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110404.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110404.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Elmhurst-based Results One Financial LLC and Steven Salutric, co-founder and director of the investment management company, for allegedly withdrawing more than $1 million from five pension plan client accounts from 2005 through 2009. The lawsuit follows an investigation by the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration into alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110329.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110329.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of the Long-Term Care, Supports and Services Competency Model. Over the past several months, the department's Employment and Training Administration has worked with federal and industry partners to identify the core competencies required of workers who provide long-term care, support and services for individuals with disabilities and older adults in need of assistance. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110385.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110385.htm U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and El Salvador Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugo Martinez today signed a new agreement that will make it easier to protect the rights of citizens of El Salvador who work in the United States. Secretary Solis is in El Salvador to strengthen partnerships with the government, having joined President Obama for part of his Latin America trip. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110402.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110402.htm As part of President Obama's Latin America trip, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, El Salvador first lady Dr. Vanda Pignato and El Salvador Minister of Labor Victoria Marina Velasquez de Aviles launched a project to help the country combat exploitive child labor by targeting its root causes. Secretary Solis announced that the U.S. Department of Labor will contribute $10 million over the next four years to support this ambitious initiative.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110401.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110401.htm In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the deadly fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced a new website and audio tour optimized for smartphones documenting that milestone in labor's history. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110403.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110403.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $8,397,127 grant to assist about 1,500 workers affected by layoffs at General Motors Spring Hill Assembly Plant in Spring Hill, Tenn. Workers dislocated from the plant are covered by the grant, as are workers from four supplier companies: Johnson Controls, MAPA Spontex, Penske Logistics and Premier Manufacturing Services. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110376.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110376.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration and its Wage and Hour Division today announced the publication of a proposed rule that seeks to improve the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program. The proposed rule, to be published in the March 18 edition of the Federal Register, includes changes to several aspects of the program to ensure that U.S. workers receive the same level of protections and benefits as temporary foreign workers recruited under the H-2B program, and to provide better access for employers with legitimate labor needs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110384.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110384.htm In the week ending March 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 385,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 401,000. The 4-week moving average was 386,250, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised average of 393,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110353.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110353.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of a new online tool to collect public feedback on ways to improve regulations and the department's regulatory review process. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/asp/oasp20110386.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/asp/oasp20110386.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced two grant competitions for the National Farmworker Jobs Program. One competition will fund organizations that will provide training, the other housing services, to migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110268.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110268.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Gavilon Grain LLC in Morral following the September 2010 death of a 20-year-old worker who was caught in a discharge auger while cleaning out a grain bin. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110347.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110347.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Parkland Hotel Investors LP, the fiduciary of the Northland Inn 401(k) plan, for violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The suit alleges that the plan was abandoned after Parkland ceased business operations in July 2009 and failed to distribute approximately $1,350,000 in assets to 96 plan participants. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110361.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110361.htm Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, the department's Administrative Review Board issued a final agency determination ordering Pythagoras General Contracting Corp., a construction contractor based in Long Island City, to pay $792,396 in back wages for 79 employees. The board also affirmed that Pythagoras and company president Stanley Petsagourakis are debarred from working on future federally funded contracts for three years.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110354.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110354.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued a statement regarding the earthquake and tsunami in Japan http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110369.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110369.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a court judgment requiring Floyd Seibert to repay $1,253,661 to the Central Home Care Services Inc. and Affiliates 401(k) plan. The judgment resolves a lawsuit filed by the department after an investigation by its Employee Benefits Security Administration determined that the defendant had violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110245.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110245.htm In the week ending March 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 397,000, an increase of 26,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 371,000. The 4-week moving average was 392,250, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 389,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110311.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110311.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service today announced the availability of $600,000 in "Stand Down" grants that will provide an estimated 10,000 homeless veterans with opportunities to reintegrate into society. The grants are being awarded under the department's Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110313.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110313.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Coin Builders LLC of Wisconsin Rapids and its president, Joseph Kreeger, to restore more than $1.3 million plus interest to the company's profit-sharing plan. The case resulted from an investigation by the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration into alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110279.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110279.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,570,907 grant to assist about 400 workers affected by the closing of Sonoco Packaging Products in Devens, Mass., and layoffs at Debbie's Staffing in Ayer, Mass. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110310.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110310.htm Beck Disaster Recovery Inc. has agreed to pay $754,578 in overtime back wages to 89 current and former temporary field supervisors after the U.S. Department of Labor found, among other violations, that the company had incorrectly classified them as exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act, resulting in a denial of full and fair compensation for all hours worked. The violations were systemic throughout the company's offices across the United States. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110257.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110257.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding International Women's Day: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110337.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110337.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $219,390 in back wages and liquidated damages for 44 Boston-area restaurant employees. Investigations conducted by the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division found that 1760 Society Inc., doing business as The Sherborn Inn and The Sherborn Out in Sherborn, and D'Ann's Restaurant Inc., doing business as D'Ann's in Abington, had misclassified employees as independent contractors and, as a result, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by denying them proper compensation for all hours worked. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110290.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110290.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,288,296 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment and retraining services to about 1,000 workers affected by layoffs at Micron Technology Inc. located in Boise, Idaho. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110289.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110289.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today posted an online toolkit comprised of resources to assist federal agencies in recruiting, employing and retaining individuals with disabilities. The kit is available at http://www.dol.gov/odep/federal-hire. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20110309.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20110309.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the February 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110319.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110319.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has taken legal action to seek debarment of Lettire Construction Corp., a New York City general contractor, and Nicholas Lettire, president of the company, from working on future federally funded contracts for a period of three years. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110312.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110312.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued four repeat and one serious citation to the Pep Boys auto service company following a recent inspection at its facility at 2301 Dixwell Ave. in Hamden, Conn. The Philadelphia-based chain faces a total of $75,000 in proposed fines. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110273.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110273.htm In the week ending Feb. 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 368,000, a decrease of 20,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 388,000. The 4-week moving average was 388,500, a decrease of 12,750 from the previous week's revised average of 401,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110267.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110267.htm The U.S. Department of Labor scored an important victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit against Operation Management Group Co. Inc., a contractor that supplied personnel to restaurants and other service industries in the greater Boston area, and its owner, Adilso Bosi. The court confirmed the secretary of labor's subpoena authority and affirmed the district court's order holding OMG and Bosi in contempt of court for failing to cooperate with the investigation by the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division into several Boston-area restaurants to which OMG provided staffing services. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110278.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110278.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $40 million for Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration grants to help individuals with significant barriers to employment obtain the skills they need through work opportunities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110293.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110293.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has assessed a total of $277,475 in civil money penalties against three movie theatre companies, Marcus Theatre Corp., Regal Cinemas Inc. and Wehrenberg Inc., for allowing dozens of teens to perform hazardous jobs and work longer hours than allowed by the youth employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110247.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110247.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an award of $30,696,643 for its YouthBuild programs. Funds will be shared among 31 programs that prepare out-of-school youth across the United States for careers through hands-on construction training, and high school completion and General Educational Development programs.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110246.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110246.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $6,116,896 National Emergency Grant to assist about 1,450 workers impacted by 2005 Base Realignment and Closure actions that resulted in multiple military base realignments in Texas. The grant will provide retraining and re-employment services to dislocated workers as well as military spouses. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110285.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110285.htm The U.S. Department of Labor is notifying all former Texas City Chemicals Inc. employees who worked at the site in Texas City, Texas, about a new class of employees added to the Special Exposure Cohort of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110255.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110255.htm The U.S. Department of Labor is notifying all former Simonds Saw and Steel Co. employees who worked at the company's site in Lockport, N.Y., about a new class of employees added to the Special Exposure Cohort of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110256.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110256.htm The U.S. Department of Labor is notifying all former BWX Technologies Inc. employees who worked at the company's site in Lynchburg, Va., about a new class of employees added to the Special Exposure Cohort of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110252.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110252.htm Federal contractor InterCall will pay $700,000 in back wages, interest and benefits to 151 minority job applicants who were subjected to discrimination by the company. The settlement follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which found that 103 black, 28 Asian and 20 Hispanic job applicants were systemically rejected for sales associate positions at the company's Chicago offices in 2006 and 2007. In addition to financial compensation, InterCall will extend a total of 14 offers of employment to affected applicants as positions become available. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110211.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110211.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of approximately $17 million in funds for two grants to support the employment prospects of young offenders, ages 16 to 24, in high-poverty, high-crime communities.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110213.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110213.htmL Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a solicitation for grant applications for the national Career Pathways Innovation Fund Grant Program. Over the next year, the department will award approximately $122 million through this program, including $65 million for health care-focused projects, and intends to fund 40 to 50 grants ranging from $1 million to $5 million each. These grants — which are replacing the former Community-Based Job Training grants — will focus on career pathway programs that help individuals of varying skill levels enter and pursue rewarding careers in emerging industries and in-demand occupations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110275.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110275.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an $11,267,940 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts following heavy storms that caused high winds and excessive precipitation throughout California from mid-December 2010 through early January 2011. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110249.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110249.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $744,000 grant to provide partial premium payments for health insurance coverage to about 150 jobless workers in New Hampshire. Funds also will be used to upgrade the state's existing benefit payment system. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110210.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110210.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $1.8 million in back wages for nearly 400 workers and collected $200,000 in civil money penalties from Houston-based grocery stores Hong Land Corp., Hong Kong Group Inc., Pacific Ocean Enterprise Inc. and B and B Corner Corp., all doing business as Hong Kong Market, and store owners Hai Du Duong and Ha Duong. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110114.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20110114.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $780,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for 40 employees of Martino's Pizzeria Inc., doing business as Mama's Pizzeria and Restaurant, in Copiague, N.Y., resolving a lawsuit filed against the company for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110190.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110190.htm In the week ending Feb. 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 391,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 413,000. The 4-week moving average was 402,000, a decrease of 16,500 from the previous week's revised average of 418,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110237.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110237.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service, known as VETS, has proposed a rule establishing a uniform national threshold performance level to be applied to state grantees that provide employment services to veterans. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110242.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110242.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the Green Jobs Innovation Fund competition to support opportunities for workers to receive job training in green industry sectors and occupations. Through this competition, the department will award approximately $40 million to support five to eight grantees with awards ranging from $5 million to $8 million each. Eligible applicants will include national and statewide organizations with local affiliates that have existing career training programs and will benefit a minimum of six communities per grant. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110212.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110212.htm The third-party administrator to 56 employee benefit plans — most covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act — located throughout Ohio and several other states pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1 million in assets from 12 retirement plans. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110228.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110228.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau yesterday hosted a conference on best flexibility practices for hourly-wage employees at the Pasadena Convention Center, drawing about 400 attendees. "Challenges and Solutions for Hourly Workers" is part of the Women's Bureau's National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility, a series of events building on the goals of the March 2010 White House Flexibility Forum. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/wb20110223.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/wb20110223.htm As part of America Saves Week, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration and the America Saves campaign of the Consumer Federation of America will sponsor a free webcast on Feb. 23 for small businesses and plan service providers. Topics include choosing a retirement savings plan and the advantages of direct deposits to small businesses and their employees. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110221.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110221.htm In the week ending Feb. 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 410,000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 385,000. The 4-week moving average was 417,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average of 416,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110200.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110200.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 377 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at 15 coal and seven metal/nonmetal mine operations last month. The coal mines were issued 208 citations and seven orders; the metal/nonmetal mines were issued 148 citations and 14 orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110224.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110224.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has presented the 2010 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor to the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110176.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20110176.htm Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, today issued the following statement as the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce holds a hearing on "Investigating OSHA's Regulatory Agenda and Its Impact on Job Creation." Michaels understands the committee's interest in examining the relationship between OSHA's regulatory agenda and job creation. The Labor Department is focused on doing everything possible to support the creation of good, safe jobs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110225.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110225.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it will split the agency's jurisdiction over southern West Virginia coal mines into two separate districts, a process that will begin in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011. Of the nation's 2,100 coal mines, approximately 400 fall within the existing District 4 boundaries. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110220.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110220.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today outlined its part of the president's fiscal year 2012 budget request to Congress. The department's budget request focuses on efficiently achieving the department's goals while exercising fiscal restraint. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110207.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110207.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the filing of a lawsuit against Houston-based Kinder Morgan Inc. and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP for their failure to pay more than $1 million in overtime compensation to approximately 4,500 current and former operators, technicians, maintenance workers, laborers and administrative nonexempt employees in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The department's suit asks the court to order the defendants to pay the full amount of back wages due, along with liquated damages, and to prohibit them from violating the law in the future. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110142.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110142.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued a fatality alert to the mining community profiling the causes of and circumstances surrounding the 71 fatal accidents that occurred last year. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110191.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110191.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,883,709 grant to assist about 1,000 workers affected by layoffs and closures at 21 companies in multiple industries, including three auto suppliers, located throughout Kentucky. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110137.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110137.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $11.7 million in grant funds to serve adult offenders who are returning from incarceration to high-poverty, high-crime communities. The purpose of these grants is to provide an employment-centered approach to reintegration that improves long-term labor market prospects for ex-offenders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110185.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110185.htm In the week ending Feb. 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 383,000, a decrease of 36,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 419,000. The 4-week moving average was 415,500, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised average of 431,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110154.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110154.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program as amended by the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009: It is vital that Congress take action before this Saturday to extend the Recovery Act's expansions to the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. On behalf of the workers whose livelihoods and families depend on this vital program, and every American who wants our country to compete and win in the changing global economy, I urge Congress to act before the end of this week. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110171.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110171.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a $2,932,835 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide services to an additional 729 workers affected by layoffs at Wilmington Air Park in Wilmington, Ohio. Following an initial grant in November 2008 and one other previous award of supplemental funding with dislocated workers added as more layoffs occurred, a total of approximately 2,360 individuals now will be served. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110175.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20110175.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has negotiated a settlement agreement with Comunidad Agricola Bianchi Inc. of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in a discrimination case involving a miner employed by the company's operation in Rincon, Puerto Rico. Jose A. Chaparro was fired from his job shortly after cooperating in an MSHA hazard complaint investigation at the mine. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110116.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110116.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered a total of $934,551 in overtime back wages for 479 employees of UnitedHealthcare and $104,280 in civil money penalties after an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division determined that the employees had been incorrectly classified as exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and consequently denied compensation for all hours worked. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110106.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110106.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $20 million in grants through its Civic Justice Corps program. Projects funded through these grants will help juvenile offenders gain valuable jobs skills, and participants will demonstrate accountability for their actions through community service. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110150.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110150.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding Black History Month 2011: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110162.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110162.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the Lunar New Year: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110166.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110166.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the January 2011 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110164.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110164.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today unveiled a new online tool called My Next Move. The tool is aimed at providing jobseekers with information on more than 900 occupations, as well as local job openings and training opportunities in a simple, user-friendly format. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101786.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101786.htm Federal contractor Green Bay Dressed Beef LLC will pay $1.65 million in back wages, interest and benefits to 970 women who were subjected to systemic discrimination by the company. The settlement follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which found that the women were rejected for general laborer positions at the company's Green Bay plant in 2006 and 2007. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110146.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20110146.htm In the week ending Jan. 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 415,000, a decrease of 42,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 457,000. The 4-week moving average was 430,500, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 429,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110124.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110124.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that a proposed rule to revise its pattern of violations regulation in 30 Code of Federal Regulations Part 104 will be published in the Federal Register on Feb. 2.The proposal, which would revise and simplify the POV criteria and MSHA's procedures for issuing a POV notice, is available at http://s.dol.gov/CQ. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110135.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110135.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,179,312 increment to continue providing assistance to about 500 workers affected by layoffs from multiple companies in the construction and manufacturing industries in central and southeastern Texas. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110108.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110108.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $707,096 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide services to about 600 workers affected by the closure of the Taylor, Bean and Whitaker Mortgage Corp. and its subsidiary companies. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110109.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110109.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 288 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 13 coal and 4 metal/nonmetal mine operations last month. The coal mines were issued 170 citations, 15 orders and one safeguard; the metal/nonmetal mines were issued 90 citations and 12 orders. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110102.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110102.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,166,729 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide services to about 1,350 workers affected by layoffs and plant closures occurring within the manufacturing sector in northeastern Wisconsin. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110100.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110100.htm In the week ending Jan. 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 454,000, an increase of 51,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 403,000. The 4-week moving average was 428,750, an increase of 15,750 from the previous week's revised average of 413,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110088.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110088.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has temporarily withdrawn from review by the Office of Management and Budget its proposal to restore a column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders on employer injury and illness logs. The agency has taken this action to seek greater input from small businesses on the impact of the proposal and will do so through outreach in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110110.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110110.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today took part in unveiling the Obama administration's action plan to strengthen and support military families. She joined the president and first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, other Cabinet members and administration officials, and representatives of veterans service organizations in the East Room of the White House to release the report Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitment. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110101.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20110101.htm Super China Buffet in Shoreline, Wash., and Great Dragon Inc., doing business as King Buffet restaurants in Everett and Marysville, Wash., have agreed to pay $420,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 83 employees. This agreement resolves a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor after an inspection by the department's Wage and Hour Division found violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101788.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101788.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $4,840,359 National Emergency Grant to assist about 825 military spouses and civilian defense workers impacted by a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure action that resulted in the creation of Joint Base Lewis McChord in the state of Washington. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110058.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20110058.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has fined Haasbach LLC in Mount Carroll and Hillsdale Elevator Co. in Geneseo and Annawan, Ill., following the deaths of three workers, including two teenagers. The workers were killed when they suffocated after being engulfed by grain. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110006.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110006.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today Union Members -- 2010: Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in 2010, the unionization rate of employed wage and salary workers was 11.9 percent, down from 12.3 percent in 2009. Among private sector employees, the rate dropped to 6.9 percent from 7.2 percent in 2009. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110096.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110096.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations to Lead Enterprises Inc. in Miami, Fla., alleging that the company knowingly neglected to protect employees from lead exposure. The company is being cited with 32 safety and health violations, and $307,200 in total proposed penalties. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111748.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111748.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a solicitation for grant applications under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program. The Labor Department will award approximately $500 million this year through the program and a total of $2 billion over the next four years. Grants will support the development and improvement of postsecondary programs of two years or less that use evidence-based or innovative strategies to prepare students for successful careers in growing and emerging industries. The program will be administered by the Labor Department in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101436.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101436.htm In the week ending Jan. 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 404,000, a decrease of 37,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 441,000. The 4-week moving average was 411,750, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 415,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110061.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110061.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the House of Representatives' vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110081.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110081.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of R. Sargent Shriver: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110080.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110080.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it is withdrawing its proposed interpretation titled "Interpretation of OSHA's Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise." The interpretation would have clarified the term "feasible administrative or engineering controls" as used in OSHA's noise standard. The proposed interpretation was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 19, 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110074.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110074.htm The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking an administrative court order requiring Gerardi Sewer and Water Co., a Norridge, Ill.-based contractor, to provide a monthly report of its work locations to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, permit unannounced jobsite audits by qualified independent consultants and annually train workers on cave-in protection for the next two years. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110064.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20110064.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced the publication of a final rule that improves the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program and better protects U.S. workers. The final rule, to be published in the Jan. 19 edition of the Federal Register, addresses the calculations used to set wage rates for H-2B workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20110059.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20110059.htm Solicitor of Labor M. Patricia Smith today issued the following statement regarding new developments in the ongoing investigation of the April 5, 2010, explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110070.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110070.htm Mining fatalities in the United States significantly increased in 2010, following a year marked by the fewest deaths in mining history, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration. Seventy-one miners died on the job last year, compared to 34 in 2009. Forty-eight of those deaths occurred in coal mines, and 23 occurred at metal and nonmetal operations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110029.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110029.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has resolved an investigation against contractor CALNET Inc. and two subcontractors providing language, intelligence and information technology services to the U.S. Army at Ft. Irwin, Calif. The three companies had paid employees improperly for on-call time. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110013.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20110013.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $775,351 National Emergency Grant to assist about 115 workers affected by layoffs at five companies in northeast Iowa. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20110005.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20110005.htm In the week ending Jan. 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 445,000, an increase of 35,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 410,000. The 4-week moving average was 416,500, an increase of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average of 411,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110023.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110023.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that a federal judge with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has issued a preliminary injunction against Rosebud Mining Co. In a federal lawsuit filed on Dec. 30, 2010, MSHA claimed that personnel at the company's Mine 78 in Somerset County, Pa., and Tracy Lynne Mine in Armstrong County, Pa., provided advance notice of federal inspectors' arrival, which violates Section 103(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110046.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110046.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards today published a request for information notice seeking public comments to assist the department in issuing guidance concerning the use of electronic voting systems in union officer elections. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/olms/olms20110030.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/olms/olms20110030.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has completed its expansion of the Site Exposure Matrices website, an effort that began in May 2010. The final six additions to the website include the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, Calif.), the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (also known as the East Tennessee Technology Park or K-25, in Oak Ridge, Tenn.), the Y-12 Plant (Oak Ridge, Tenn.), the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (Paducah, Ky.), the Pantex Plant (Amarillo, Texas) and the Pinellas Plant (Clearwater, Fla.). http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110041.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20110041.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $1,368,946 in back wages and fringe benefits for 140 employees of Total Enterprise Inc., a bus transportation company, following an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division under the Service Contract Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101799.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101799.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will re-establish the charter of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health. Established in 1995, the committee is composed of approximately 15 members who are industry professionals selected to represent the interests of the maritime community. A notice is published in today's Federal Register, which may be viewed at http://s.dol.gov/CJ. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101784.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101784.htm Clothing manufacturer Joe's Jeans has paid $158,952 in back wages owed to 110 garment workers who worked for one of the company's Los Angeles-based sewing contractors. The action results from an agreement between Joe's Jeans in Commerce, Calif., and the U.S. Department of Labor following an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division that found the contractor failed to pay the workers minimum wage and overtime as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101789.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101789.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110042.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110042.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the December 2010 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110034.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20110034.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has upgraded its re-employment Web portal to provide access to assistance beyond career and job searches. The http://www.CareerOneStop.org/reemployment site now offers a single source for information on jobs, career training, unemployment benefits and assistance with necessities such as food, housing, health care and utility payments. The resources will prove useful to everyone from recently laid-off workers and unemployment insurance claimants to individuals who have exhausted their unemployment benefits and those seeking to change careers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101761.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101761.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced the availability of the 2010 Form M-1 annual report for multiple employer welfare arrangements. Plan administrators may use EBSA's online filing system to expedite processing of the form. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110012.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20110012.htm In the week ending Jan. 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 409,000, an increase of 18,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 391,000. The 4-week moving average was 410,750, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 414,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110004.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20110004.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration and Massey Energy reached a settlement agreement today in a case involving Freedom Energy Mining Co.'s Mine No. 1 located in Pike County, Ky. Last November, MSHA filed in federal court a motion for preliminary injunction against the mine, the first such action ever taken by the agency. Section 108(a)(2) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 provides for injunctive relief against noncompliant mine operators who habitually violate health and safety standards. Shortly thereafter, Massey announced plans to idle the mine permanently. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110022.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20110022.htm The U.S. Department of Labor announced the filing of a consent judgment in a case against CEMEX Inc. and the recovery of $1,514,449 in overtime back wages for 1,705 current and former ready-mix drivers who worked in eight states. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101769.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101769.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $1 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms and flooding that struck Puerto Rico in May 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101780.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101780.htm In the week ending Dec. 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 388,000, a decrease of 34,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 422,000. The 4-week moving average was 414,000, a decrease of 12,500 from the previous week's revised average of 426,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101787.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101787.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced nearly $20 million in grants awarded to combat exploitive child labor in Bolivia, Egypt and Jordan. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101775.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101775.htm In the week ending Dec. 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 420,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 423,000. The 4-week moving average was 426,000, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 423,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101756.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101756.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced a proposal to revise its requirements for pre-shift, supplemental, on-shift and weekly examinations. The proposed rule on Examinations of Work Areas in Underground Coal Mines for Violations of Mandatory Health or Safety Standards would require mine operators to take responsibility for conducting complete workplace examinations; correcting violations; and reviewing with mine examiners on a quarterly basis all citations and orders issued in areas where pre-shift, supplemental, on-shift and weekly examinations are required. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101779.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101779.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,994,763 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing services to workers affected by layoffs from multiple companies in the aviation, construction, health care, manufacturing and retail industries in south central Kansas. The majority of the layoffs were from four companies in the area's aviation manufacturing industry: Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft Corp. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101767.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101767.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a new directive withdrawing a former one that allowed residential builders to bypass fall protection requirements. The directive being replaced, issued in 1995, initially was intended as a temporary policy and was the result of concerns about the feasibility of fall protection in residential building construction. However, there continues to be a high number of fall-related deaths in construction, and industry experts now feel that feasibility is no longer an issue or concern. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101753.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101753.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 250 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 12 coal and 10 metal/nonmetal mine operations last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101774.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101774.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointments of five new members to the 2011 Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans — known as the ERISA Advisory Council. She also announced the appointment of the incoming chair and vice chair of the council. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101763.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101763.htm Officials at seven of the U.S. Department of Labor's agencies will host live Web chats and, in one case, a conference call to discuss their respective regulatory agendas during the first week of January 2011. These events are open to the public and members of the press. The Labor Department's entire regulatory agenda was published in the Dec. 20 issue of the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101770.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101770.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $543,705 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to Missouri to continue re-employment services to about 400 civilian defense workers affected by 2005 Base Realignment and Closure actions. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101765.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101765.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is requesting public comments on its preliminary interpretations of a new provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act that requires employers to provide nursing mothers with reasonable break time and a private space for expressing breast milk while at work. This new provision — the Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law — became law when the Affordable Care Act was signed by the president in March 2010. The provision responds to a reality that many women face when they return to work after having a baby. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101764.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101764.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis made the following remarks in response to the Senate vote on the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or Dream, Act: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101771.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101771.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced an increased focus on exposure monitoring at metal and nonmetal mines throughout the country to ensure better worker protection from overexposure to harmful airborne contaminants. Agency efforts will include stakeholder outreach, education and training, and enhanced implementation of existing standards. In particular, MSHA will focus on 30 Code of Federal Regulations 56.5002 and 57.5002, which require mine operators to conduct dust, gas, mist and fume surveys for harmful airborne contaminants' fumes to determine the adequacy of control measures. A stakeholder briefing was held today at MSHA headquarters in Arlington, Va., to outline the initiative aimed at reducing illnesses and diseases due to such overexposures, and explain MSHA's enforcement approach on complying with the standards. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101754.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101754.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today was elected by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to lead federal efforts to end homelessness. As chair of USICH, Secretary Solis joins the newly elected vice chair, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in implementing Opening Doors, the first federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. Solis succeeds Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, who has been chair since 2009. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101757.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101757.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that it successfully obtained a court order that imposes a number of requirements on Sullivan Granite Co. LLC, which operates Brown's Meadow Quarry in Franklin, Maine. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101751.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101751.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced appointment of five new members to the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. The department's emphasis on worker safety and health was enhanced by these new appointees, who will serve two-year terms, and are leaders in the fields of medicine, academia and safety program development. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101701.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101701.htm In the week ending Dec. 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 420,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 423,000. The 4-week moving average was 422,750, a decrease of 5,250 from the previous week's revised average of 428,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101723.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101723.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the award of $40 million in grants by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2010 to combat exploitive child labor in 12 countries. The grants will offer children access to educational and training alternatives, help improve the livelihoods of their households so their parents can meet basic needs without relying on child labor, and build local capacity to scale-up and sustain efforts to eliminate exploitive child labor. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101745.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101745.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a grant award of more than $5.3 million to the International Labor Organization to support the global Better Work program by implementing projects in Bangladesh and continuing projects in Cambodia and Vietnam. The grant was awarded by the department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101718.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101718.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $640,000 grant award to the International Labor Organization to implement a project on fundamental rights, labor law and administration reform in the Republic of Maldives. The grant was awarded by the department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101731.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101731.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the release of three reports on child labor and/or forced labor around the world. Secretary Solis was joined by Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa at U.S. Department of Labor headquarters in unveiling the reports. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101706.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101706.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited the hazardous waste management processor, WRR Environmental Services Co., for failing to implement measures to prevent potentially catastrophic chemical fires and explosions at its facility in Eau Claire. OSHA has issued 14 willful and one serious citation to the company with proposed penalties of $787,000 for failing to fully develop and implement a process safety management program at the facility. This action stems from the agency's investigation of a June 29 explosion and fire at the facility. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101737.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101737.htm A U.S. district court judge has ruled in favor of the U.S. Department of Labor in a case against a Westminster, Calif., garment manufacturer and its owner, awarding a total of $887,554 to current and former workers. Judge A. Howard Matz approved the department's request for a default judgment against Laundry Room Clothing Inc., owner Milton Kaneda and principal Sharon Kaneda after they failed to pay $380,824 in unpaid minimum wage and overtime compensation due to 115 low-wage workers. The default judgment also awards the workers $506,730 in liquidated damages. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101694.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101694.htm Through a new safety initiative, the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration is calling special attention to the potential dangers that shuttle cars and scoops in underground coal mines pose to miners. Between January 2000 and September 2010, nearly 800 miners have been injured and 16 killed in coal mine accidents involving shuttle cars and scoops. Three of those deaths occurred this year. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101709.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101709.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has taken legal action to recover more than $829,000 in back wages for 32 workers employed as demolition laborers by Enviro and Demo Masters Inc. and Gladiators Contracting Corp., construction demolition companies based in Brooklyn and Queens. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101598.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101598.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent order requiring C.S. Capital Management Inc. of Atlanta, Ga., and owner Paul H. Saylor to restore $1,090,000 to the Plumbers and Pipefitters National Pension Plan as restitution for improperly investing $25 million in risky private placement bonds. The firm also was ordered to pay $109,990.91 in fines to the federal government. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101680.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101680.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,601,207 grant to assist about 448 workers affected by the closure of the Chrysler Kenosha Engine Plant located in Kenosha, Wis. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101673.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101673.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding President Obama's framework for a bipartisan agreement to extend Unemployment Insurance and help middle-class families. The framework includes $56 billion to extend Unemployment Insurance, a $120 billion payroll tax cut for workers, $40 billion in tax cuts for the nation's hardest-hit families and students, and 100 percent expensing for small businesses over the course of 2011. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101724.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101724.htm In the week ending Dec. 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 421,000, a decrease of 17,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 438,000. The 4-week moving average was 427,500, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 431,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101684.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101684.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the cusp of Congressional action on the Development, Relief, and Education for Minors Act. The DREAM Act would provide a process by which certain students and members of the military — who excelled through hard work and demonstrated their positive contributions to the nation — can obtain conditional nonimmigrant status and, after a period of time, lawful permanent residence: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101722.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101722.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives' vote of 214-193 on the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2010. The measure was taken up by the House as a "suspension" — a legislative mechanism requiring a two-thirds majority of House members agreeing to the motion to allow its passage. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101720.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101720.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced a series of new products through the Campaign for Disability Employment that are designed to promote the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities, and dispel negative stereotypes about disability and employment. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101698.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101698.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited U.S. Minerals LLC with willfully exposing its workers to dangerously high levels of hazardous dust, and not providing adequate breathing protection and training for workers at its facility in Coffeen. The company, headquartered in Dyer, Ind., has been issued a total of 28 health and safety citations with proposed penalties of $396,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101655.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101655.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered nearly $339,000 in back wages for 27 workers employed as electrical mechanics by Sant-Tec Electric Inc., a company incorporated in both New York and New Jersey. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101490.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101490.htm Following a consent order obtained by the U.S. Department of Labor, Peri Software Solutions Inc. and its owner, Saravanan Periasamy, have agreed to pay $638,449 in back wages and interest to 67 workers for violating the H-1B provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101528.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101528.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, today made available the 2011 Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities database. This resource is intended to assist federal and private-sector employers in identifying workers with disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101705.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101705.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it is extending by 90 days the official comment period on the proposed interpretation titled "Interpretation of OSHA's Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise," which was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 19. Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments by March 21, 2011. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101702.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101702.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $709,864 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and retraining services to workers affected by the closing of Dell Inc.'s call center in Twin Falls, Idaho. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101672.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101672.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the November 2010 Employment Situation report released today: "This past November, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 39,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate increased to 9.8 percent. Furthermore, the job numbers for the months of September and October were revised upward 38,000. This year, we've seen the creation of 1.2 million private sector jobs – steady growth averaging 106,000 new private sector jobs each month." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101699.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101699.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today filed an administrative complaint against Nash Finch Co. for systematically discriminating against more than 80 qualified women who applied for order selector positions at the company's Lumberton facility. Nash Finch is the second-largest publicly traded wholesale food distributor in the United States and is based in Minneapolis, Minn. The company contracts with the federal government to provide goods and services to more than 200 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20101644.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20101644.htm DOL's Employment and Training Administration today announced the release of a competency model for the commercial and industrial construction industry. The new model is now the eighteenth available from the Competency Model Clearinghouse, and can be accessed through the department's CareerOneStop website at http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/default.aspx. Industry models are tools that help prepare and inform workers about the latest job requirements needed for success in the workplace. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101675.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101675.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced it has reached a settlement agreement with Farrell-Cooper Mining Co. in the 2007 death of an employee at its Rock Island Mine in Le Flore County, Okla. Farrell-Cooper has agreed to pay penalties totaling $375,204 for seven citations issued in the wake of the fatality, including three flagrant violations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101679.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101679.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the extension of Unemployment Insurance benefits: "President Obama has said that Americans don't expect Washington to solve their problems, but they rightfully expect government to work for them — not against them. I agree. Over the last week, our federal legislators have had an opportunity to extend Unemployment Insurance — a critically important program that brings immediate returns to our economy while helping Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. But a lack of bipartisan support blocked the effort." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101682.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101682.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a proposed rule that will help America's workers better understand target date retirement funds and other similar investments offered in 401(k)-type pension plans. The proposed rule would amend the "qualified default investment alternative regulation" and the "participant-level disclosure regulation" to enhance and provide more specificity regarding the information that must be disclosed to participants and beneficiaries concerning investments in target date funds. http://www/dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101658.htm http://www/dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101658.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has sued trustee Colette Mordo for alleged misuse of more than $4.6 million in plan assets of the Sadimara Knitwear Inc. and the Stallion Knits Ltd. defined benefit pension plans, in violation of her fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The lawsuit is based on an investigation by the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration. Sadimara Knitwear Inc. and Stallion Knits Ltd. were garment companies headquartered in Manhattan. The companies sponsored the plans to provide pension benefits to their employees. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101437.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101437.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a proposed rule that will help America's workers better understand target date retirement funds and other similar investments offered in 401(k)-type pension plans. The proposed rule would amend the "qualified default investment alternative regulation" and the "participant-level disclosure regulation" to enhance and provide more specificity regarding the information that must be disclosed to participants and beneficiaries concerning investments in target date funds. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101658.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101658.htm Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration, today released the following statement in response to two massive explosions that rocked the Pike River coal mine in New Zealand. Twenty-nine miners are believed to have been killed. "Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the 29 miners who died at New Zealand's Pike River Mine. While our nations may be separated by thousands of miles, we are united in grief, given that a similar disaster befell 29 U.S. miners in April." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101664.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101664.htm In the week ending Nov. 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 407,000, a decrease of 34,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 441,000. The 4-week moving average was 436,000, a decrease of 7,500 from the previous week's revised average of 443,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101630.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101630.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $4 million National Emergency Grant award to assist cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Otto that struck Puerto Rico in October. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20101632.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20101632.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $517,197 grant to provide an estimated 210 jobless workers in Utah with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101634.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101634.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,073,235 grant to assist about 330 workers who reside in Massachusetts affected by layoffs and closings at 12 companies, 11 in Massachusetts and one in Connecticut. The companies located in Massachusetts are: Big Y Store No. 2, Blackstone Medical, Callaway, Durham Manufacturing, Harvey Industries, Hasbro Inc., MassMutual Financial Group, Pyramid Management Group, Russell Corp./Spalding, TD Banknorth and Soldiers Home in Holyoke. Workers at MeadWestvaco Corp. in Connecticut who live in Massachusetts also will be assisted by the grant. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101646.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101646.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $2,579,730 National Emergency Grant increment to Massachusetts to continue providing services to workers affected by layoffs in the financial industry. More than 700 workers will be served under this funding. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101611.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101611.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today hosted the 2010 Job Corps Oratory Competition in Washington, D.C. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis delivered opening remarks before four finalists from California, Illinois, Michigan and Kentucky took the stage to present their speeches about how Job Corps has impacted their lives. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20101633.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20101633.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that 13 mines from around the country received letters putting them on notice that each has a potential pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(e) of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. These are the first mining operations to receive such notification since MSHA implemented major reforms to its POV process, including tougher provisions for mines with chronic and persistent health and safety violations. A 14th mine, Upper Big Branch, met the criteria, but actions have been postponed until MSHA's investigation into the April 5 explosion is complete. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101641.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101641.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 380 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at 13 coal and six metal/nonmetal mine operations last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101631.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20101631.htm U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives vote on the extension of Unemployment Insurance: "It is unfortunate that today, exactly one week before Thanksgiving, we saw opposition in Congress stop an extension of vital unemployment benefits that could negatively affect millions of American families. Instead of celebrating with their loved ones next week, these individuals – who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own – will have to spend Thanksgiving wondering if they will be without the vital lifeline of unemployment insurance. If Congress does not take action, between this winter and spring, 4 million unemployed workers will lose their benefits. This is unacceptable. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101638.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101638.htm Pursuant to a requirement imposed by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a proposed rule to implement the annual funding notice requirement under section 101(f) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101595.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101595.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today launched the second phase of an outreach and enforcement program designed to strengthen efforts to prevent mining fatalities. "Rules to Live By II: Preventing Catastrophic Accidents" was developed from data gathered by reviewing accidents that resulted in five or more fatalities, as well as from incidents caused by fires or explosions that had the potential to result in more fatalities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101621.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101621.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the increased enforcement and outreach efforts of the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division: "Protecting worker rights is my top priority at the Department of Labor. It's not a slogan. It's a commitment that I have made to ensure workers receive all the protections that the law promises, and that no employer gains an unfair advantage by cheating workers out of their rightfully earned wages." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101629.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101629.htm Following an investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is assessing J and R Baker Farms LLC $1,311,644 in back wages owed to 244 workers and $136,500 in fines for violating provisions of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. The department's Office of the Solicitor has filed a request with the department's Office of Administrative Law Judges to hold a hearing to enforce the department's findings against the Ellenton, Ga., agricultural employer. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20101532.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20101532.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the extension of the expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance program: "Last year, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress made the wise decision to expand Trade Adjustment Assistance eligibility to service sector workers adversely impacted by trade. Prior to that, the program focused solely on workers in the manufacturing sector. The expanded program offers a crucial lifeline to many working families whose breadwinners lost their jobs through no fault of their own. " http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101570.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101570.htm In the week ending Nov. 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 439,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 437,000. The 4-week moving average was 443,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 447,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101591.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101591.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced initial funding allocations for Trade Adjustment Assistance for states to assist workers who lose their jobs due to outsourcing and foreign trade. This announcement includes two funding levels for states under the program: one under the current, expanded level of authorized funding, and one at a reduced level that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2011, if Congress fails to renew the expanded TAA program authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101607.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101607.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement after the Senate's failure to invoke cloture (by a margin of 58 to 41) on S. 3772 – the Paycheck Fairness Act: "I am deeply disappointed that the Senate did not pass this important piece of legislation today. But, the issue of pay equity is far too important to give up. I remain committed to the fight for this commonsense reform, and my department will redouble its efforts to ensure America's women are not treated as second class citizens by employers who refuse to compensate them in a fair and equitable manner." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101620.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20101620.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the findings of a multi-year study of the impact of the Unemployment Insurance program in stabilizing the economy during a deep recession. The study was commissioned by the department and undertaken by IMPAQ International LLC and the Urban Institute. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101615.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101615.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Fathalla M. Mashali, owner and president of the now defunct Northern Rhode Island Anesthesia Associates P.C. and its subsidiaries, for failing to forward more than $6 million in contributions plus interest owed to the company's pension plan, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The company operated subsidiaries throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101560.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101560.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a series of enforcement actions to protect more than $7 million for workers in retirement plans or health plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101614.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101614.htm Today, the U.S. Department of Labor joined representatives from across the federal government to mark the progress made over the past six months in streamlining the hiring process to modernize the federal workforce. Along with U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry and other agency leaders, Labor Department representatives discussed the steps the department has taken in implementing President Obama's hiring reform initiative. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/oasam/OASAM20101543.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/oasam/OASAM20101543.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today launched an online system for filing Trade Adjustment Assistance petitions. The department expects that the online tool will become the primary means by which TAA petitions are received, but the options to mail or fax a hard copy version of the petition remain available. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101542.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101542.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it will hold six public hearings on the proposed rule "Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors." The notice will be available in the Federal Register on Nov. 15. The proposed rule was published Oct. 19 and is available at http://www.msha.gov/REGS/FEDREG/PROPOSED/2010Prop/2010-25249.pdf. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101576.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101576.htm In the week ending Nov. 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 435,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 459,000. The 4-week moving average was 446,500, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised average of 456,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101549.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101549.htm Deputy Undersecretary of Labor Sandra Polaski today issued the following statement clarifying the U.S. Department of Labor's position on the use of child labor and forced labor in carpet production in India: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101569.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101569.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics today announced that the number of reported nonfatal occupational injury and illness cases that required days away from work to recuperate decreased by nine percent to 1,238,490 cases in 2009 for private industry, state government and local government. Additionally, BLS reported that the total incidence rate decreased by 5 percent to 117 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. BLS also reported that local and state government workers had much higher rates of injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work than workers in private industry. In response, Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, issued this statement: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101573.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101573.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $1,160,391 National Emergency Grant award to assist clean-up and recovery efforts following three days of severe storms and flooding that struck Minnesota this past September. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101529.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101529.htm C and K Market Inc. of Brookings, Ore., has agreed to restore $3 million in cash plus interest and to sell property owned by the C and K Market Inc. 401(k) plan, among other steps, in order to make restitution for a series of imprudent loans made with plan assets in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. C and K Market operates approximately 50 supermarkets in southern Oregon and northern California. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/EBSA/EBSA20101558.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/EBSA/EBSA20101558.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $12.2 million to 13 states through the Workforce Data Quality Initiative. These funds will enable states to build or expand longitudinal databases of workforce data that also link to education data. States will use these longitudinal databases to conduct research and analysis aimed at pinpointing the effectiveness of employment and training programs to better inform workforce system customers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101511.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101511.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the October 2010 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101556.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101556.htm In the week ending Oct. 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 457,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 437,000. The 4-week moving average was 456,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 454,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101516.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101516.htm In an unprecedented legal move, the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky a motion for preliminary injunction against Freedom Energy Mining Co.'s Mine No. 1. Located in Pike County, Ky., Freedom's Mine No. 1 is owned by Massey Energy Co. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101533.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101533.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $205,063,552 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of North Carolina. North Carolina qualified for its full share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by providing for a variety of provisions that assist recent entrants to the workforce, part-time workers and workers who become unemployed because of compelling family reasons. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101524.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101524.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging CEOs of 14 major retail companies to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and the holiday season's other major sales events. Toward that end, OSHA has sent a letter and fact sheet on "Crowd Management Safety Tips for Retailers" to the CEOs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101520.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101520.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration kicks off its 2010 Winter Alert campaign today to warn miners and mine operators about the dangers colder weather can bring to the mining environment. Historically, statistics show that most coal mine explosions occur during the colder months. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101527.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101527.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of a new online toolkit to guide employers through the process for hiring veterans. The free toolkit is designed to assist and educate employers who have made the proactive decision to include veterans and wounded warriors in their recruitment and hiring initiatives. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20101503.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20101503.htm In the week ending Oct. 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 434,000, a decrease of 21,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 455,000. The 4-week moving average was 453,250, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average of 458,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101479.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101479.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has approved national guidelines for apprenticeship standards for the occupation of direct support professional. These standards will enable employers to use ETA's Registered Apprenticeship program to train workers for careers in the long-term care sector of the health care industry. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101488.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101488.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,390,568 grant to assist about 300 workers affected by fishing industry layoffs in the Lummi Nation, located near Bellingham, Wash. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101456.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101456.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued 54 workplace safety and health citations with penalties totaling $1.2 million to gun powder substitute manufacturer Black Mag LLC, following an investigation into the causes of a deadly explosion in May at the company's worksite in Colebrook, N.H. The explosion took the lives of two workers who had been on the job for only a month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101478.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101478.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $64,499 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue to provide services to 198 workers affected by layoffs at BAE Systems Inc. in Fridley, Minn. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101465.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101465.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has announced that Tyson Refrigerated Processed Meats Inc. has agreed to settle findings of hiring discrimination against 157 African-American and 375 Caucasian applicants for laborer positions at the company's bacon processing plant in Vernon. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ofccp20101461.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ofccp20101461.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a proposed rule to update the definition of "fiduciary" to more broadly define the term as a person who provides investment advice to plans for a fee or other compensation. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101472.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101472.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics today announced that nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers declined in 2009 to a rate of 3.6 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, down from a total case rate of 3.9 in 2008. BLS also reported a decline in the total number of cases from 3.7 million in 2008 to 3.3 million in 2009. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101481.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101481.htm The U.S. Department of Labor and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants today launched a new, interactive website to help small businesses select a retirement plan suitable for their employees. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101477.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101477.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Beacon Associates Management Corp., Andover Associates Management Corp., Ivy Asset Management LLC, J.P. Jeanneret Associates Inc. and the principals of the four companies for causing dozens of pension, health and other employee benefit plan clients to lose hundreds of millions of dollars through investments with Bernard L. Madoff and his firm. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101467.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101467.htm In the week ending Oct. 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 452,000, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 475,000. The 4-week moving average was 458,000, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average of 462,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101454.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101454.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,008,790 grant to provide an estimated 1,868 jobless workers in Virginia with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101455.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101455.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its continued expansion of the Site Exposure Matrices website with the release of information on an additional 23 U.S. Department of Energy nuclear weapons facilities, including Rocky Flats in Colorado. The information for these facilities was made available online to the public at http://www.sem.dol.gov this month, bringing the total number of facilities in the enhanced version of the website to 92 of the 116 DOE facilities covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20101462.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20101462.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $1,335,274 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The territory qualified for these funds, which account for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, by making unemployment benefits available to part-time workers and by including certain family-friendly provisions in its UI law. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101447.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101447.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 499 citations, 61 orders and three safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 15 coal and 15 metal/nonmetal mine operations last month. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101464.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101464.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $984,248 grant to assist approximately 130 workers affected by layoffs at five Severstal locations – four in Ohio and one in West Virginia – and one supplier, Kinder-Morgan, located in Pennsylvania. Those eligible for services under this grant are Ohio residents. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20101445.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20101445.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, Labor Standards Division, have entered into a partnership agreement aimed at ensuring compliance among employers in Puerto Rico with both federal and the commonwealth's labor laws. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20101414.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20101414.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a final rule to give the estimated 72 million participants covered by 401(k)-type retirement plans greater information regarding the fees and expenses associated with their plans in order to better manage their retirement savings. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101432.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101432.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the release of a proposed rule on lowering miners' exposure to respirable coal dust in all underground and surface coal mines. The proposed rule is the latest element of MSHA's "End Black Lung – Act Now" campaign. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101440.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101440.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Main released the following statement in response to the successful rescue of 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped in an underground copper mine for 69 days, following a massive cave-in on Aug. 5: "We join the rest of the world in celebrating the most successful rescue in mining history. On behalf of the many Americans who provided support for the mission and prayers for the miners, we offer sincere words of praise to the rescue team for its well-coordinated operation." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101448.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101448.htm In the week ending Oct. 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 462,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 449,000. The 4-week moving average was 459,000, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 456,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101428.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101428.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $485,000 in minimum wages, overtime pay, liquidated damages and post-judgment interest for approximately 120 employees of several New York City-area dollar stores. The dollar stores and their owners agreed to two partial consent judgments resolving the department's lawsuit over alleged violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, including the failure to pay minimum wages and overtime compensation to employees who worked in excess of 40 hours a week. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101413.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101413.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,511,254 grant to assist approximately 546 workers affected by layoffs at Valero Energy Corp. located in Delaware City, Del. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101344.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101344.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,912,436 grant to assist approximately 800 workers affected by layoffs from multiple companies located in Pima County, Ariz. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101349.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101349.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the September 2010 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101433.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101433.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the issuance of 11 closure orders to Elk Run Coal Co.'s Seng Creek Powellton Mine when federal inspectors last week discovered that the mine was taking illegal cuts into the coal seam, operating without proper ventilation and not completing required air readings, which are needed to assure there is sufficient air flow to prevent mine explosions. The mine is owned by Massey Energy Co. and located in Boone County, W.Va. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSAH20101420.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSAH20101420.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $4 million competitive grant solicitation listed at http://www.grants.gov seeking applications from qualified organizations for innovative strategies to combat the worst forms of child labor in Jordan. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101381.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101381.htm Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated has agreed to pay $495,000 in back wages and interest to 95 African-American and Hispanic job seekers who applied in 2002 for sales support positions at the company's Black Satchel Road distribution facility in Charlotte. The settlement follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ofccp20101368.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ofccp20101368.htm In the week ending Oct. 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 445,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 456,000. The 4-week moving average was 455,750, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 458,750. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101394.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101394.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a $2 million grant award to implement a Better Work program in Nicaragua. The grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs will be implemented by the International Labor Organization. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101409.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101409.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced it will hold public meetings in Arlington, Va., Sacramento, Calif., and Pittsburgh, Pa., to gather information about effective, comprehensive safety and health management programs at mines. The agency will use information gathered from these meetings to help develop a proposed rule for safety and health management programs for mines, which will enable miners and mine operators to be more proactive in their approach to health and safety matters. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101410.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101410.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced the publication of a proposed rule that seeks to improve the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program and better protect American workers. The proposed rule, to be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, addresses the calculations used to set wage rates for H-2B workers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101365.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101365.htm In conjunction with Drive Safely Work Week, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced an education campaign calling on employers to prevent work-related distracted driving, with a special focus on prohibiting texting while driving. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101399.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101399.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a solicitation for grant applications for the YouthBuild program. Approximately $130 million is available through two separate appropriations. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101284.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101284.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the president's proclamation of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2010. The theme for this year is "Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity Includes People with Disabilities." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101400.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101400.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the second phase in major reforms to its pattern of violations process, which includes tougher provisions for mines with chronic and persistent violations of significant health and safety regulations. This announcement coincides with the release of an independent analysis prepared by the Labor Department's Office of Inspector General: "In 32 years MSHA Has Never Successfully Exercised its Pattern of Violation Authority." Earlier this week, MSHA publicized new screening criteria for the POV enforcement program.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101396.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101396.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that the former GovBenefits.gov website has been redesigned and rebranded to become Benefits.gov. Along with a new look, Benefits.gov provides enhanced site features to help citizens quickly navigate and locate government benefit and assistance programs that may improve their lives. This collaborative effort of 17 federal agencies maintains content on more than 1,000 government programs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/oasam/OASAM20101275.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/oasam/OASAM20101275.htm As part of its "Add Us In" initiative, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy awarded four two-year cooperative agreements totaling more than $2.4 million to consortia led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City in Kansas City, Mo.; Community Partners-Integrated Recovery Network in Los Angeles, Calif.; The Workplace Inc. in Bridgeport, Conn.; and the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101387.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101387.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $18,421,988 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the District of Columbia. The district qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by making state unemployment benefits available to part-time workers and by providing additional weeks of benefits to UI beneficiaries enrolled in approved training programs. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101363.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101363.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has announced a $9.5 million competitive grant solicitation listed at http://www.grants.gov seeking applications from qualified organizations to combat the worst forms of child labor in the cotton and other agriculture sectors in Egypt. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101335.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101335.htm In the week ending Sept. 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 453,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 469,000. The 4-week moving average was 458,000, a decrease of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average of 464,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ui/ETA20101376.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ui/ETA20101376.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an award of $21,276,575 to nine states under the Disability Employment Initiative to improve education, training, and employment opportunities and outcomes of youth and adults who are unemployed and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. The Disability Employment Initiative is jointly funded and administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration and its Office of Disability Employment Policy. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101376.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101376.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced it has signed a cooperative agreement with the United Mine Workers of America Career Centers Inc., in which the UMWACC will receive $1,450,000 to develop classroom and simulated rescue training programs for mine rescue teams. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101383.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101383.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the continuation of funding for a National Technical Assistance, Policy and Research Center for Employers on Employment of People with Disabilities at Cornell University. Continued funding in the amount of $1.6 million was awarded by exercising the first option year of a cooperative agreement between ODEP and Cornell University that provides for the center's operation. The center is also referred to as the National Employer Technical Assistance Center. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101359.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101359.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has sued executives of Journey Electrical Technologies Inc. of Laguna Hills, Calif., for allegedly failing to collect more than $920,000 in employee and employer contributions owed to the company's 401(k) plan in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101190.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101190.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has concluded a special evaluation of state-run occupational safety and health programs under its jurisdiction. Enhanced Federal Annual Monitoring and Evaluation reports provide detailed findings and recommendations on the operations of state-run OSHA programs in 25 states and territories. The enhanced review was initiated after a 2009 special OSHA report on Nevada's program, prompted by numerous construction-related fatalities in Las Vegas, identified serious operational deficiencies in that state. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101325.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101325.htm The Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has announced new screening criteria for the pattern of violations enforcement program, which gives the agency additional enforcement tools to use at mines with a history of violating safety standards. This is a critical first step in reforming the current pattern of violations enforcement program. The agency announced plans to draft new regulations governing the program in the spring, and the new criteria follow calls by Congress and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General to fix serious flaws in the current system. MSHA will implement new screening criteria and a new review process for determining whether a mine has exhibited a potential pattern of violations for its 2010 review of mine safety records. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101372.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101372.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $5.8 million National Emergency Grant award to assist cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that struck Iowa in June. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101326.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101326.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 11246, creating what eventually became the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ofccp20101341.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ofccp20101341.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $573,416 grant to assist about 183 workers affected by layoffs at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Dubuque, Iowa. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101345.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101345.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $919,588 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue to provide services to about 1,373 workers affected by layoffs in the manufacturing and retail industries in southeastern Minnesota. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101330.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101330.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,644,575 grant to assist about 960 workers affected by layoffs from the pharmaceutical industry in northern New Jersey. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101327.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101327.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on National Employ Older Workers Week, which takes place September 19 - 26. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101332.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101332.htm In the week ending Sept. 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 465,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 453,000. The 4-week moving average was 463,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 466,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101314.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101314.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that an Administrative Law Judge with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has ruled in favor of MSHA in a legal challenge filed last June by Massey Energy's Performance Coal Co. The company had challenged MSHA's protocol guidelines in the underground accident investigation of the Upper Big Branch Mine, in which the agency prohibited Massey Energy investigators from using cameras, collecting evidence, mapping and conducting sampling. In her ruling, ALJ Margaret A. Miller held that MSHA did not abuse its discretion in adopting the protocols and that the protocols "are rationally connected to safely conducting the accident investigation." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101348.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101348.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today awarded $2.75 million in Susan Harwood Targeted Topic Training Grants to 16 organizations, including nonprofit and community/faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, and colleges and universities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101305.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101305.htm The United States and Bahrain convened a meeting of the Subcommittee on Labor Affairs of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement on Sept. 20. Representatives at the meeting reaffirmed their commitments under the agreement to recognize and protect the rights stated in the International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101331.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101331.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101329.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101329.htm Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of worker fatalities, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation to combat distracted driving. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101323.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101323.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that, from April through August, the agency conducted "impact inspections" at 111 coal and metal/nonmetal mines throughout the country designated by the agency as having safety or health issues. During that time, enforcement personnel issued 2,660 violations, 45 percent of which were classified as significant and substantial. These targeted inspections are part of an aggressive enforcement strategy launched in the wake of the worst mining disaster in almost 40 years. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101321.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101321.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the appointment of new members to the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship. The ACA is comprised of approximately 30 individuals representing labor unions, employers and the public. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101268.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101268.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,849,481 National Emergency Grant award to assist cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of hurricane-related flooding that struck Texas on June 30. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101309.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101309.htm The U.S. Government Accountability Office today issued a report titled, "Whistleblower Protection: Sustained Management Attention Needed to Address Long-standing Program Weaknesses." In response, Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. David Michaels, issued the following statement: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101312.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101312.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced it 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 and New Emergency Response Act of 2006. The focus of fiscal year 2010's grants will be on training and training materials for mine emergency prevention and preparedness for all underground mines. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101308.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101308.htm Direct support professionals — nurse aides, home health aides, and personal and home care aides — are the primary providers of paid hands-on care for millions of individuals with disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/20100916.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/20100916.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a final rule regarding the Unemployment Compensation Program. This rule implements federal legislation requiring the department to establish criteria for states to qualify for interest-free federal loans for the payment of unemployment compensation. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101289.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101289.htm In the week ending Sept. 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 450,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 453,000. The 4-week moving average was 464,750, a decrease of 13,500 from the previous week's revised average of 478,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101276.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101276.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has filed an administrative complaint against Tyson Fresh Meats, the world's largest supplier of premium beef and pork and a wholly owned subsidiary of Tyson Foods Inc. The complaint alleges that Tyson systematically rejected female job applicants at its plant in Joslin, Ill. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ofccp20101232.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ofccp20101232.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,921,500 National Emergency Grant increment to continue clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of flooding that struck Tennessee in May. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101299.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101299.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a $10 million grant to fund a new Framework of Action to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa industry in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Together the two countries supply more than half of the world's cocoa. Labor Minister E.T. Mensah of Ghana, Labor Minister Emile Guirieoulou of Cote d'Ivoire, and representatives of the international chocolate and cocoa industry joined Secretary Solis in making renewed commitments of resources to address the problem. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101285.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101285.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101293.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101293.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced that it will exercise the second option year of its cooperative agreement with the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University and award an additional $1,150,000 to continue funding the National Technical Assistance and Research Center for Increasing the Employment and Economic Independence of Adults with Disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101234.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101234.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $437,084 grant to assist about 75 workers affected by layoffs from CDS Global in Red Oak, Iowa. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101218.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101218.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $330,000 grant to assist about 60 workers affected by layoffs at Terex Handlers in Baraga, Mich. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101263.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101263.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,367,340 grant to assist about 600 workers affected by layoffs from multiple employers impacted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's retirement of the Space Shuttle program. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101264.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ETA/ETA20101264.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today awarded $8 million in Susan Harwood Capacity Building Grants to 45 organizations, including nonprofit and community/faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, and colleges and universities. The grants will assist these organizations in providing safety and health training, and educational programs for workers and employers. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/osha20101254.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/osha20101254.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the publication of comprehensive data regarding safety and health records of the nation's mines. These downloadable files are available to the general public through MSHA's website at http://www.msha.gov/OpenGovernmentData/OGIMSHA.asp and have been submitted for publication through the federal government's http://www.data.gov portal. The data release is part of the Labor Department's ongoing commitment to the administration's Open Government initiative. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101228.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101228.htm In the week ending Sept. 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 451,000, a decrease of 27,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 478,000. The 4-week moving average was 477,750, a decrease of 9,250 from the previous week's revised average of 487,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101247.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101247.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $10 million in grant funds to 22 states to make technology improvements leading to more accurate unemployment insurance benefit payments. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101266.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101266.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced more than $8 million in grants to 22 states to make automation and technology upgrades within unemployment insurance systems. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101267.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101267.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the addition of the Career Videos for America's Job Seekers to a new federal government-wide site, http://www.challenge.gov. The online platform, announced today by the White House at http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/pressroom, invites the public to help solve our nation's most pressing problems. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101260.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101260.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has launched a Web portal to help job seekers match their current skills to new careers and find out what training is needed to transition from one job to another. This new online tool is called "mySkillsmyFuture" and can be accessed at http://www.myskillsmyfuture.org. Users will be able to view local job postings and locate training and education providers. They also will be able to find descriptions, salary information and common job tasks associated with a new occupation. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101216.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101216.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited MDLG, doing business as Phenix Lumber Co., for 53 safety and health violations following the death of one worker and the critical injury of a second at its Phenix City facility. Proposed penalties total $439,400. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101164.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101164.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the August 2010 Employment Situation report released today: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101253.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101253.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the release of two new program information bulletins pertaining to the rights of miners who make hazardous condition complaints and request inspections, as well as miners' protections against discrimination.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101239.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101239.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued a safety alert and fatality update to the mining industry to draw renewed attention to deaths that have occurred this year in mines throughout the country.  "While headlines continue to focus on the disaster at Upper Big Branch Mine, we cannot lose sight of the fact that other miners are losing their lives at our nation's mines," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "Since the beginning of this year, 28 other miners from all sectors of mining have died in fatal accidents. We must take action to prevent additional fatalities." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101245.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101245.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been petitioned by Public Citizen, a national advocacy organization, as well as other groups and individuals, to issue regulations that would limit the work hours of resident physicians. In response to the request, the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, Dr. David Michaels, today issued the following statement: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101238.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101238.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of Dusti Gurule as her regional representative in Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Gurule is based in Denver, Colo. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101230.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101230.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of Robert Asaro-Angelo as her representative in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Asaro-Angelo will be based in New York City. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101231.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101231.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations to Kief Industries Inc., doing business as Excelsior Brass Works. The citations allege the company knowingly exposed workers to lead hazards and violated federal workplace safety and health standards at its Blandon facility. Proposed penalties total $550,400. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101215.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101215.htm In the week ending Aug. 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 472,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 478,000. The 4-week moving average was 485,500, a decrease of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 488,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101214.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101214.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today fined Whitesell Corp. $3,071,500 and cited the company with 72 safety and health violations for exposing workers to amputation hazards and other problems at its manufacturing plants in Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals, Ala. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101167.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101167.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published interim final rules that will help protect workers who voice safety, health and security concerns. The regulations, which establish procedures for handling worker retaliation complaints, allow filing by phone as well as in writing and filing in languages other than English. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101225.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101225.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued Goodman Manufacturing Co. LP 83 willful citations for failing to record and improperly recording work-related injuries and illnesses at the company's Houston air conditioning cooling facility. Proposed penalties total $1,215,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101179.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101179.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today posted online its first-ever Labor Day video. This year, instead of giving the traditional "State of the American Worker" Labor Day speech in front of a small group, Secretary Solis has recorded a video both in English and Spanish highlighting the department's support of and commitment to the American worker. By harnessing the power of technology, she is able to speak directly to all American workers. Furthermore, through the use of a newly created email address – talktosolis@dol.gov – American workers are able to reply to the secretary. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101229.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101229.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the announcement of the first round of applicants accepted into the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, an important component of the Affordable Care Act: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101235.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101235.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a final rule regarding the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The final rule strengthens program aspects that will benefit unemployed, low-income older Americans who want to enter or re-enter the workforce. The rule will be effective on Oct.1. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101203.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101203.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced that it will exercise the second option year of its cooperative agreement with the Institute for Educational Leadership and award an additional $999,926 to continue funding the Youth Technical Assistance Center through the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101165.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101165.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $938,441 National Emergency Grant award to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms, flooding, and mudslides that struck Kentucky in July 2010. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101217.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101217.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a proposed regulation to update the procedure for filing and processing applications for exemptions from the prohibited transaction provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The proposed regulation is published in the August 30 edition of the Federal Register. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101191.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101191.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has recovered $433,819 in back wages owed to 69 employees of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. in Orlando, Fla. The company agreed to make the payments following an investigation that uncovered violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101178.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101178.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,352,776 grant to assist about 450 workers affected by layoffs at Electrolux in Jefferson and Webster City, Iowa and three of its suppliers in Ames and Webster City, Iowa. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101206.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101206.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a Notice of Proposed Rule Making regarding the department's YouthBuild program. The YouthBuild Transfer Act was signed into law in September 2006, transferring the administration of the YouthBuild program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Department of Labor. The NPRM seeks to clarify the requirements of the Transfer Act for YouthBuild program providers and participants. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101199.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101199.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has paid more than $6 billion in compensation and medical benefits to more than 61,400 claimants nationwide under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. This milestone coincides with the 9th anniversary of the Labor Department's administration of the EEOICPA, which assists employees who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20101201.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20101201.htm In the week ending Aug. 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 473,000, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 504,000. The 4-week moving average was 486,750, an increase of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 483,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101170.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101170.htm Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released, for the first time, a detailed comprehensive overview on the employment of Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics, 2009. Armed with this new data, researchers, disability advocates, and policy makers can better project labor force participation for working-aged persons with disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101204.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101204.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations to E.N. Range Inc. in Miami, Fla., alleging the company knowingly neglected to protect employees who clean gun ranges from serious overexposure to lead. It also provided, without medical supervision, non-FDA-approved treatments for lead exposure. The company was cited for more than 50 violations of the lead standard and others, with total proposed penalties of $2,099,600. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101079.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101079.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $737,608 under the National Emergency Grant program to assist approximately 100 workers affected by layoffs at Skyjack Inc. in Emmetsburg, Iowa, and Freudenberg NOK in Spencer, Iowa. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101177.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101177.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC for three safety violations, including one classified as willful, following the death of an animal trainer in February. The total penalty is $75,000. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101124.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101124.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued a statement on the death of Dr. Mario Guerra Obledo http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101189.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101189.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $667,637 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands qualified for a portion of the territory's share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by updating its unemployment law to allow workers to use recent earnings to qualify for benefits. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101155.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101155.htm Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released today show a decline in workplace fatalities in 2009 compared with 2008. Last year, 4,340 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 5,214 fatal work injuries in 2008. In response, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101134.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101134.htm In the week ending Aug. 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 500,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 488,000. The 4-week moving average was 482,500, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised average of 474,500. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101137.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101137.htm U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment's ratification: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101166.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101166.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced two grants totaling $849,890 to fund the Veterans' Employment and Training Service National Technical Assistance Center. The grants are being awarded under the Labor Department's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20101160.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20101160.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has received numerous complaints from workers taking part in the Gulf Coast oil spill cleanup whose employers are refusing to provide them with a certificate following their completion of training under the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, or HAZWOPER, standard. OSHA interprets the standard as prohibiting covered employers from withholding written certificates from workers who have successfully completed such training. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101135.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101135.htm Smartsoft International Inc., a computer consulting company based in Suwanee, Ga., has agreed to pay nearly $1 million in back wages and interest to 135 nonimmigrant workers temporarily employed by the company under the H-1B visa program. The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of the Solicitor reached this agreement following a determination by the department's Wage and Hour Division that the company violated the H-1B program's rules. Smartsoft International also has U.S. offices in Sunnyvale, Calif., and North Brunswick, N.J. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101111.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101111.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed penalties of $374,500 against Cooperative Plus Inc., a farmer-owned cooperative, for federal workplace safety violations at its Whitewater and Genoa City, Wis., sites. These penalties follow $721,000 in penalties issued earlier this month after a worker was seriously injured from being engulfed by soybeans at the cooperative's Burlington, Wis., facility in February. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101128.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101128.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced $542,400 in proposed penalties against Big Laurel Mining Corp. The mining operation, located in Wise County, Va., was cited for five contributory violations in the August 2009 death of an electrician/repairman who was fatally injured when a portion of mine rib collapsed upon him. Two of the violations have been assessed as flagrant. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101108.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101108.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has extended the deadline for its Career Videos for America's Job Seekers Challenge to allow submissions as late as Monday, Nov. 1. The challenge invites members of the public to produce and submit one- to three-minute videos focusing on the daily activities of 15 high-wage and in-demand occupations. This competition is intended to provide greater visibility for selected occupations and thereby increase the number of workers seeking training and placement in those areas. The creator(s) of the top video in each of the 15 categories will win a $1,000 cash prize. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101149.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101149.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a notice of proposed rulemaking implementing changes in the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act as mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20101112.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/OWCP/OWCP20101112.htm As a result of troubling testimony heard in a recent field hearing regarding the explosion of Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine, the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the release of four new program information bulletins pertaining to ventilation issues in underground coal mines. The purpose of these PIBs is to remind mine operators, miners' representatives, MSHA enforcement personnel and other interested parties about mandatory coal mine safety standards relative to inadequate ventilation, intentional changes in the mine's ventilation system, maintaining face ventilation control devices, and maintaining methane monitors in permissible and proper operating condition for mining equipment. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101123.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101123.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the deaths and subsequent recovery of two gold miners in Nevada: "As the hours passed at Barrick Goldstrike's Meikle Mine in Elko County, Nev., we all hoped and prayed for better news. My thoughts are with the families, friends, loved ones, neighbors and co-workers of Joel Ethan Schorr and Daniel Noel, who lost their lives while simply trying to do their job and provide for their families. I want to commend and thank the members of the rescue teams, local first responders, company officials and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration district staff and family liaisons who worked around the clock during this incident. We will investigate this tragedy and take action. All mine deaths are preventable." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101150.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101150.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that BP Products North America Inc. will pay a full penalty of $50.6 million stemming from the 2005 explosion at its Texas City, Texas, refinery that killed 15 workers and injured 170 others. The agreement resolves failure-to-abate citations issued after a 2009 follow-up investigation. In addition to paying the record fine, BP has agreed to take immediate steps to protect those now working at the refinery, allocating a minimum of $500 million to that effort. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101130.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101130.htm The Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (also known as the ERISA Advisory Council) will meet Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 in Washington at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room C-5515-1A, to hear testimony from witnesses. The meeting will take place on Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT and on Sept. 1 and 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101118.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101118.htm In the week ending Aug. 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 484,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 482,000. The 4-week moving average was 473,500, an increase of 14,250 from the previous week's revised average of 459,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101100.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101100.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $868,443 in back wages for 1,065 employees of Central Florida Investments, based in Orlando, Fla., following an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101084.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101084.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today filed a complaint with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission alleging that a miner was discharged from his job in retaliation for engaging in protected safety activities. Ricky Lee Campbell, who worked as a shuttle car operator and bolter for several mines operated by Massey Energy Co., was fired April 23, 2010, after working fewer than three weeks at Marfork Coal Co. Inc.'s Slip Ridge Cedar Grove Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101121-PHI.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/MSHA/MSHA20101121-PHI.htm Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the 75th anniversary of the Unemployment Insurance program: "Losing a job is never easy. Workers facing layoffs wonder how they will continue to support their families while they find work or enter training that will lead to new careers. The passage of the Social Security Act in 1935 created a lifeline for workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own. The Unemployment Insurance program has been there to help these individuals bridge the gap between layoffs and re-employment. The program provides much needed income support that helps workers stay in their homes and put food on the table while seeking out new jobs." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101117.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101117.htm Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, prime contractor Williams Brothers Construction in Houston and subcontractors Cimolai USA and Cosme have agreed to collectively pay $136,679 in back wages to 140 current and former construction employees for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Davis-Bacon Act and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. The workers were performing work on the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge project over the Trinity River in Dallas. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20100866.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20100866.htm The U.S. Department of Labor will release $97,459,490 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of South Carolina. South Carolina qualified for its full share of funding available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by enacting a variety of provisions that allow more workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own to receive unemployment compensation. This group includes recent entrants to the workforce, part-time workers, and those who become unemployed due to compelling family reasons. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101110.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101110.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $15,640,385 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Rhode Island. The state qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by updating state unemployment insurance laws to include certain family-friendly provisions. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101107.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101107.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a solicitation for grant applications for approximately $22 million to fund programs that will improve educational, training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. "At the U.S. Department of Labor, we are committed to the goal of 'good jobs for everyone'— in its entirety. After all, America's workers are the nation's number once resource. They are also our wisest investment," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "To be truly competitive in the global economy, we must leverage and foster the professional skills and talents of every single worker, including the millions of working-age people with disabilities across our country." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101096.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101096.htm U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued a statement on the July 2010 Employment Situation report released saying, in part, "This past July, the economy gained 71,000 jobs in the private sector. Overall, employment declined by 131,000, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.5 percent. This year we've seen the creation of 630,000 private sector jobs – steady growth averaging 90,000 new private sector jobs each month, which tracks closely with what the Council of Economic Advisors had predicted earlier this year." http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101109.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20101109.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced awards totaling $9,556,068 that will go to 29 states and the Virgin Islands to improve unemployment insurance information technology contingency plans and unemployment insurance IT security. This year is the sixth that the department has awarded these grants.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101099.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101099.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited three construction companies and 14 site contractors for 371 alleged workplace safety violations, and proposed $16.6 million dollars in penalties, following an investigation into the causes of February's deadly natural gas explosion at the Kleen Energy Systems LLC power plant construction site in Middletown, Conn. The explosion took the lives of six workers and injured 50 others. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101081.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101081.htm In the week ending July 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 479,000, an increase of 19,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 460,000. The 4-week moving average was 458,500, an increase of 5,250 from the previous week's revised average of 453,250. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101073.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20101073.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $419,150 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide services to about 475 workers affected by layoffs across multiple industries in the St. Louis region of Missouri. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101091.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101091.htm The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $633,085 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to Missouri to continue providing services to workers affected by layoffs in the state's automotive industry. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101092.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101092.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fines of $721,000 against Cooperative Plus Inc. in Burlington for violations of federal workplace safety standards. OSHA alleges that this employer, a farmer owned cooperative, exposed workers to the risk of being engulfed and suffocated in grain storage bins without proper equipment and procedures. In a near tragedy that occurred in February, a worker was trapped in soybeans up to his chest in 25 degree weather and ultimately rescued after a four hour ordeal. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101014.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20101014.htm The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 9,000 workers from companies in 19 states are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance. The companies are in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101082.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20101082.htm The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that it has debarred Asian Journal Publications from using the H-1B visa program to hire temporary workers.  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101071.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/whd20101071.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the availability of approximately $2.3 million in funding for the Add Us In initiative, which will fund up to four cooperative agreements with allotments ranging from $500,000 to $625,000 each. The initiative is designed to increase the ability of companies to employ individuals with disabilities, particularly businesses owned and operated by African-Americans; Asian-Americans; Latino or Hispanic Americans; members of federally recognized tribes and Native Americans; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals; and women. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101074.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101074.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced its intention to withdraw the proposed regulation on the definition of a welfare benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act from review by the Office of Management and Budget. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101080.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20101080.htm U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that the U.S. government has requested labor consultations with the Government of Guatemala under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). This is the first time that the United States has requested consultations under the labor chapter of a U.S. free trade agreement. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101078.htm http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB20101078.htm In her first visit to El Salvador as U.S. Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis announced a new United States government contribution of $10 million to support the Salvadoran government's efforts to combat and eradicate c