WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a proposal by its Mine Safety and Health Administration to amend current federal standards to better protect the nation’s miners from health hazards related to exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust. The proposed rule change will ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it is seeking nominations for members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship for the 2023-2025 term.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $11.7 million in grants to three organizations to support programs that help youth and young adults in communities affected by violence and poverty to prepare for career success in the labor market.

ATLANTA – In what may be the largest misclassification case in its history, the U.S. Department of Labor has asked a federal court to force a Florida-based customer service provider for major national brands, including Barnes & Noble, Comcast, Disney and Walgreens, to pay back wages and liquidated damages to more than 22,000 workers after investigators found the employer misclassified employees as independent contractors and denied them their legally required minimum wage and overtime pay.

Participants:   U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores, New Bedford, Massachusetts

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 16 mines in May 2023, issuing 279 violations and one safeguard. MSHA conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $58 million in grants to support the efforts of organizations that help homeless veterans by enabling them to overcome barriers to re-entering the workforce and finding meaningful employment.

Employer:  Ard Trucking Co. Inc.

                    4190 Alligator Road, Timmonsville, SC 29161

In the week ending June 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 239,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 264,000 to 265,000. The 4-week moving average was 257,500, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the highest level for this average since November 13, 2021 when it was 260,000. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 255,750 to 256,000.

Who:               U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division

                        U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau

                        U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

                        New York State Workers’ Compensation Board

PORTLAND, ME – A federal administrative law judge has determined that Shawn D. Purvis, doing business as Purvis Home Improvement Co. Inc., willfully exposed employees to fall hazards at roofing worksites in Portland, Old Orchard Beach and Springvale between December 2018 and May 2019.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $49.4 million in grants to 17 organizations in 15 states to provide training, employment and supportive services to adults reentering the workforce following incarceration in a local jail or state correctional facility.

PARKLAND, FL – On Dec. 31, 2022, a 28-year-old worker arrived from Mexico with his work visa in hand, ready to start 2023 with a new job at a Parkland farm where vegetables awaited harvesting.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $11.6 million to help fund examinations of the outcomes and effectiveness of state education and workforce programs in Colorado, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

GEORGETOWN, DE – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement agreement with a Delaware salvage yard company and its owner after a federal whistleblower investigation found the company fired a smelter operator for reporting safety concerns.

INDIANOLA, MS – In the summer of 2022, U.S. Department of Labor leaders heard from a group of Black farmworkers in the Mississippi Delta about allegations of abuse and exploitation of Black farmworkers in some of the nation’s poorest counties, including egregious violations of their workplace rights.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Departments of Labor, State, Commerce and Homeland Security and the U.S. Agency for International Development have issued a business advisory to alert American businesses and individuals of the growing reputational, legal and economic risks in participating in the gold trade across sub-Saharan Africa.

Who:              

U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Tennessee Department of Health Division of Family Health and Wellness

What: “Working Mothers: What to Expect from Your Employer When You’re Expecting” webinar

When:      July 11, 2023, 1-3 p.m. CDT  

DENVER – Cited 12 times since 2018 for endangering workers, a Utah-based solar provider allowed employees to work on an icy, snow-covered two-story roof in Johnstown without legally required fall protection in late December 2022, a U.S. Department of Labor safety investigation found.

MINNEAPOLIS – Following a five-day jury trial, a federal district court in Minneapolis has awarded $254,628 in back wages and liquidated damages to 21 drivers after the U.S. Department of Labor determined their employer, a non-emergency medical transportation company, misclassified them as independent contractors denying them overtime pay.