U.S. Department of Labor

MIAMI, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), H-2A Complete II Inc. – an H-2A staffing company providing workers in the Indian River and Highlands County areas of Florida and operating as H-2A Complete – has paid $47,154 in wages to 66 employees for violating requirements of the H-2A visa program.

BOSTON, MA – The Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston, Massachusetts, recently sentenced Atlantic Drain Service Company Inc. owner Kevin Otto to two years imprisonment on each of two counts of manslaughter, to run concurrently, and three years of probation for witness intimidation. The court’s action follows a U.S.

SWEDESBORO, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reached a settlement with Thomas Foods International after issuing citations for workplace safety and health violations at the company’s meat processing facility in Swedesboro, New Jersey.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found violations of the wage and child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at 38 Western Michigan fast food restaurants and manufacturing facilities during an education and enforcement effort to raise awareness and improve compliance with child labor laws in the region.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule that will allow employers to more easily offer perks and benefits to their employees.

PELION, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Walter P. Rawl and Sons Inc. – the operator of WP Rawl in Pelion, South Carolina – has paid $101,572 in back wages to 408 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In the week ending December 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 252,000, an increase of 49,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 203,000. This is the highest level for initial claims since September 30, 2017 when it was 257,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,000, an increase of 6,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 217,750.  

CLEVELAND, OH – After two separate inspections, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited ArcelorMittal Cleveland LLC for exposing employees to falls. OSHA has proposed $222,579 in penalties.

WINTER HAVEN, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) into rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Residential Investment Group – operating as RIG Construction and Roofing – paid $60,098 in back wages and liquidated damages to 43 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – During the National Council for the American Worker meeting held today at the White House, U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia announced a Veterans’ Employment Challenge competition aimed at developing a new tool to help transitioning service members of the military in their job searches.

SIMPSONVILLE, SC – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Mojitos LLC – a restaurant operating as Mad Cuban Café in Simpsonville, South Carolina – has paid $12,587 in back wages to 12 employees after violating the overtime, tip retention, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The employer also paid a civil money penalty of $336 for child labor violations.

BRAINTREE, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited United Parcel Service Inc. for exposing employees to multiple hazards including exit access, fire and electrical at the shipping and delivery facility in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. The company faces $431,517 in penalties for four repeated and seven serious safety violations.

DEDEDO, GU – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), two Guam bakeries – New Fresh Bread Bakeshop in Dededo and Café Panadero in Yigo – will pay $108,929 in back wages and liquidated damages to 20 employees for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) overtime requirements. WHD has also assessed $7,535 in civil penalties against the employer.

TAMPA, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Simpson Mechanical Inc. – an air conditioning maintenance and installation company based in Tampa, Florida – has paid $57,018 in back wages to 35 employees for violating the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement:

MANCHESTER, NH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), The Arlington Resorts LLC and Birch Bar & Bistro LLC – a hotel and restaurant in Bethlehem, New Hampshire – have paid $87,771 in back wages and liquidated damages to 78 employees to resolve minimum wage and overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

GAINESVILLE, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Kittrich Corp. – operating as Avenger Products LLC – for exposing employees to amputation, fire, and electrical hazards at the company’s Gainesville, Georgia, facility. The pesticide and agricultural chemical manufacturer faces $90,801 in penalties.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Progrexion Teleservices Inc. – a credit repair company based in Salt Lake City, Utah – has reinstated and paid an employee $10,344 in lost wages and expenses for terminating the employee in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

WILKES-BARRE, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a two-year alliance with the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturer and Employers Association (NEPA MAEA) to promote workplace safety and health to general industry employees and students entering the workforce in Northeast Pennsylvania.

ANDALUSIA, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited national discount retailer Dollar Tree Stores Inc. for exposing employees to safety hazards at the company’s Andalusia, Alabama, location. The company faces $312,576 in penalties.