DOL Newsletter

Record Lows for State Unemployment

A record 12 states have unemployment rates below 3%, and 35 states have unemployment rates below 4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics state jobs report released today.

DOL Tech Day

At the U.S. Department of Labor's second annual Tech Day, federal agencies displayed the cutting-edge technology they use to support their missions. U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta opened the event with speakers including Deputy Secretary Patrick Pizzella, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, Deputy Director for Management of OMB Margaret Weichert, and Federal Chief Information Officer Suzette Kent.

Enforcing Our Trade Agreements

In Colombia this week, Secretary Acosta met with workers, employers, and government representatives to discuss how the Department is supporting the efforts to enforce our trade agreements. The Department also announced two grant opportunities for Colombian export sectors and to economically empower vulnerable women and girls in Colombia's agriculture sector in support of the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP).

Silicon Valley Pay

Following a Department investigation, a Silicon Valley data collection services company will pay $910,878 in back wages and damages to 34 workers.

Visa Enforcement

The Department's Office of Administrative Law Judges has ruled against a Kentucky tobacco farmer after the Department found wage and visa program violations.

Overtime Enforcement

After a Department investigation, a Tennessee tire manufacturer has paid $659,268 to 136 workers to resolve overtime and recordkeeping violations.

Back Pay

The Department recovered $342,334 for 45 workers after an investigation found a Virginia-based IT contractor had violated the law.

Wage Recovery

A restaurant enterprise with three San Francisco area locations will pay $224,465 in back wages following a Department investigation.

Overtime Enforcement

After a Department investigation, an Oregon construction contractor will pay $98,461 in back wages to resolve overtime violations.

Record Low Unemployment in Nine States

In April, the unemployment rate reached new series lows in three states – Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin – and matched record lows in six other states, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics state jobs report released today.