WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has released guidance to states on how to promote equitable access for all workers and jobseekers to unemployment insurance programs.

In a Nov. 8, 2023, letter to unemployment insurance systems across the nation, the department’s Employment and Training Administration shared best practices for evaluating and enhancing equitable access through all stages in the unemployment insurance claim process to improve customer experience and state workload efficiency. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $11.4 million in back wages and liquidated damages for more than 1,000 employees of an East Coast restaurant chain after a series of investigations and litigation by the department. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee made the following statement on the recent violence against unionists in Bangladesh:

“The U.S. Department of Labor is deeply concerned over the escalation of violence and crackdown on workers and trade unionists in connection with Bangladesh’s minimum wage review. The department condemns the alleged police shootings of Rasel Howlader on Oct. 30, 2023, and Anjuara Khatun today. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that 859 employers from around the nation are recipients of its 2023 Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Medallion Award, which recognize employers for their commitment to supporting U.S. military veterans in the civilian workforce. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health for Part E of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act will hold a two-day meeting on Nov. 15-16, 2023, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The board advises the Secretary of Labor on technical aspects of the act, which provides compensation and medical benefits to current and former nuclear weapons workers diagnosed with medical conditions related to toxic substance exposures at covered nuclear facilities. 

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI – One of the world’s best known manufacturing companies could have prevented an employee at a southwestern Wisconsin manufacturing plant from suffering fatal injuries after becoming caught in a machine’s rotating rollers in May 2023 by following federal workplace safety regulations. 

Employer:      T’s Pro-Painting LLC

                        14331 SE 213 St.

Employers:    KBT Contracting Corp. 

                        5105 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210

                        Aquino Construction Inc. 

                        11465 Branan Field Road, Jacksonville, FL 32222

                        Darmick LLC

                        1804 Bartram Circle East, Jacksonville, FL 32207

LOS ANGELES – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su delivered the keynote address at CareFe

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the October 2023 Employment Situation report. 

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 150,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, marking 21 straight months of a jobless rate below 4 percent. These numbers reflect an economy that is growing at a healthy and sustainable pace, with an average monthly gain of 204,000 jobs over the past three months.  

WESTBURY, NY – A federal workplace safety investigation has found a Huntington contractor could have prevented a roofer’s fatal fall at a Glen Cove worksite on April 14, 2023, by following legally required safeguards designed to prevent falls.

Read this news release in English. 

ELLABELL, GA – Investigadores federales de seguridad laboral han determinado que un contratista de construcción podría haber prevenido que un trabajador de 34 años sufriera lesiones mortales luego de una caída a 60 pies en una planta Hyundai de automóviles eléctricos en Ellabell si hubiera seguido los procedimientos de seguridad legalmente requeridos.

ATLANTA – As part of an effort to address wage-related violations by the Southeast’s care industries’ employers, the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a webinar on workers’ rights and protections for home care, residential care and nursing care industry employers, workers and other stakeholders in the Southeast.

Read this news release En Español. 

ELLABELL, GA – Federal workplace safety investigators have determined a construction contractor could have prevented a 34-year-old steel worker from suffering fatal injuries – after a 60-foot fall at a Hyundai electric car plant in Ellabell – by following legally required safety procedures.

BARTLETT, IL – For the third time in five years, federal investigators have found a nationwide provider of ready-made pasta, sauces and meals failed to follow workplace safety requirements to prevent workers from coming into contact with moving machine parts.

HARTFORD, CT – Numerous southeastern Connecticut residents rely on domestic caregivers for their daily living needs.

Date of action: October 31, 2023

Type of action: A temporary restraining order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Camden, New Jersey. The action follows a complaint and motion filed by the U.S. Department of Labor on Oct. 30, 2023.

Employer:                              Jay and Krupa Inc., operating as Subway

                                                414 Gallatin Pike South

                                                Madison, TN 37115