April 6, 2011

US Labor Department seeks public comments on electronic disclosure by employee benefit plans

WASHINGTON – 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.

April 6, 2011

US Department of Labor obtains consent judgment requiring former president of defunct Dover, Del., printing company to restore assets to 401(k) plan

DOVER, Del. – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment from the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ordering David Owen, the former president of defunct Owen Printing Dover Inc., to pay $4,640 in restitution and interest to the company’s 401(k) plan.

April 5, 2011

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announces appointment of 15 new members to Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health

First meeting to be held April 19-20, open to public

WASHINGTON – 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.

April 4, 2011

US Department of Labors OSHA fines North Central Farmers Elevator in Ipswich, SD, $378,000 for exposing workers to grain engulfment

BISMARCK, N.D. 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.

April 4, 2011

US Department of Labors OSHA recognizes Basic Industries in Ingleside, Texas, for excellence in safety and health

INGLESIDE, Texas The U.S. Department of Labor s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recognized the employees and management of Basic Industries Ltd. at Kiewit Offshore Services in Ingleside for achieving three years of excellence in the company s employee safety and health program. The Basic Industries facility has been designated as a star site in OSHA s Voluntary Protection Programs. Basic Industries is to be commended for demonstrating excellence in effective safety and health management, said William A.

April 4, 2011

Prince Georges County Public Schools charged with violating provisions of H-1B temporary foreign worker program

US Department of Labor orders $4.2 million in back wages be paid to 1,044 teachers, fines school system $1.7 million in civil money penalties

April 4, 2011

Judge orders Columbus, Ind.-based Hoosier Foot & Ankle, owner to restore $18,000 to company 401(k) plan following Labor Department investigation

COLUMBUS, Ind. – A federal district court in Indianapolis has ordered Hoosier Foot & Ankle LLC, a non-surgical foot and ankle care business in Columbus, and owner Patrick DeHeer to repay $18,000 in employee contributions and lost opportunity costs to the participants and beneficiaries of the company’s 401(k) profit-sharing plan. The order and a consent judgment were obtained by the U.S. Department of Labor, resolving a lawsuit it filed alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

April 2, 2011

Statement by MSHA Assistant Secretary Joseph Main

WASHINGTON – Joseph A. Main assistant secretary of labor for the Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued the following statement:

"We have been in communication with Sen. Jay Rockefeller's office to make clear that the issuance of MSHA's final report into the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine will not be delayed due to the concurrent investigation by the Department of Justice into potential criminal wrongdoing. We apologized for any misunderstanding.

April 2, 2011

Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on the death of Sidney Harman

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of Sidney Harman:

"I extend my deepest sympathies to my dear friend and former colleague Jane Harman. I was heartbroken to hear of Sidney's death. She and their children and grandchildren are in my thoughts.

"Sidney Harman was 'quintessential LA' and 'quintessential DC.' That's what made him so special... he could navigate various worlds with ease, grace and humor.

April 1, 2011

Statement of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on March employment numbers

WASHINGTON 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.

March 31, 2011

Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on Cesar Chavez Day

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement commemorating the legacy of Cesar Chavez:

"Today, which would have been the 84th birthday of Cesar E. Chavez, is observed as Cesar Chavez Day. His legacy is important for every American to remember. Cesar was a civil rights leader whose efforts shed light not only on the injustice and struggles of farmworkers, but on our land and our environment, too.

March 31, 2011

US Department of Labor provides additional funding to continue storm recovery and cleanup efforts in Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON – 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.

March 31, 2011

ETA Press Release: Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA 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.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending March 19, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

March 31, 2011

US Labor Departments Office of Disability Employment Policy and Partnership for Public Service join forces to increase federal hiring of people with disabilities

WASHINGTON — 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.

March 30, 2011

US Department of Labor announces grant to help West Virginians cover health insurance payments while seeking re-employment

WASHINGTON – 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.

March 30, 2011

US Labor Department grant to provide career counseling and re-employment services for workers affected by Michigan Whirlpool plant closure

WASHINGTON – 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.

March 30, 2011

US Department of Labor announces availability of grants to provide training and supportive services for young parents

WASHINGTON – 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.

March 30, 2011

Arizona underground utility contractor agrees to pay $750,000 in overtime back wages following US Labor Department investigation

740 employees in California, Arizona and Nevada to be compensated

HESPERIA, Calif. — 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.

March 29, 2011

Levi Strauss agrees to pay more than $1 million in overtime back wages to nearly 600 employees following US Labor Department investigation

Overtime violations found at retail stores nationwide

SAN FRANCISCO — Levi Strauss & 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.