September 3, 2009

U.S. Labor Department proposes civil penalty rules for multiemployer defined benefit pension plans that fail to take corrective funding action

Washington —The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a regulation to assess civil penalties against plan sponsors of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans that fail to adopt a funding improvement or rehabilitation plan in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) as amended by the Pension Protection Act (PPA).

September 2, 2009

Statement of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on report detailing violations of employment and labor laws in U.S. cities

WASHINGTON – A survey of 4,387 workers in low-wage industries across the three largest U.S. cities – Chicago, Los Angeles and New York – found that the core workplace protections many Americans take for granted are failing significant numbers of workers.

September 2, 2009

U.S. Labor Department announces release of $200.8 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Illinois

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $200,767,125 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Illinois. Illinois qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by including certain family-friendly provisions in its UI law.

September 2, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor to offer free workshop in New Jersey on complying with federal pension law

New York – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will hold a free workshop on September 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT to help employers, the employee benefit community and others better comply with federal pension law. The workshop will be held at Plaza 35, 1030 St. George’s Avenue, Suite 205 in Avenel, New Jersey.

September 2, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor’s ERISA Advisory Council to hold September 2009 meeting

Washington – The Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (also known as the ERISA Advisory Council) will hold meetings September 15 through 17 in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Room N-3437A-B.

September 1, 2009

Illinois OSHA public employee protection plan receives federal approval

CHICAGO – Illinois today became the newest state to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to administer its own occupational safety and health plan for public employees in the state. A notice appears in today's edition of the Federal Register.

September 1, 2009

U.S. Labor Department announces dates for 4th annual Drug-Free Work Week

Campaign depends upon community organizations to implement local level activities

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today encouraged public and private community organizations to participate in the 4th annual Drug-Free Work Week, which will occur Oct. 19 to 25. This public awareness campaign, held each October, emphasizes the importance of drug-free workplace programs to help prevent workplace alcohol and drug use, and encourage workers with alcohol and drug problems to seek help.

August 31, 2009

When disaster strikes underground, mine rescue teams spur to action

Nearly 90 teams to compete in simulated coal mine emergency

August 31, 2009

U.S. Labor Department sues to appoint independent fiduciary for 401(k) plan abandoned by Melville, New York, employer

New York - The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit asking the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to appoint an independent fiduciary to oversee the abandoned 401(k) plan of defunct Community Home Mortgage Corp., formerly located in Melville, New York.

August 31, 2009

U.S. Labor Department sues to recover assets for SIMPLE IRA plan sponsored by Coshocton, Ohio-based company

Coshocton, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued an officer and fiduciary to the savings incentive match plan for employees individual retirement account (SIMPLE IRA) plan of Pharmaceutical Alternatives Inc. of Coshocton for improperly using plan assets withheld from employees’ pay for the benefit of the company as well as other violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The company also does business as Three Rivers Infusion Option Care.

August 28, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor sues president of defunct western Pennsylvania company to recover 401(k) retirement contributions

Pittsburgh – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Patrick P. Bane, president of defunct Comtel Communications, to recover employee contributions owed to the company’s 401(k) retirement plan.

August 27, 2009

U.S. Labor Department announces release of $89.3 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Wisconsin

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $89,289,386 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by updating its UI program to reflect the 21st century workforce.

August 27, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor certifies approximately 3,200 workers in 14 states as eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 3,200 workers from specific companies in 14 states – Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

August 27, 2009

ETA Press Release: Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Aug. 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 570,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 580,000. The 4-week moving average was 566,250, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average of 571,000.

August 26, 2009

Statement of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on death of Sen. Edward Kennedy

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy:

"Last night we lost a hero, and I lost a friend. The passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy is an indescribable loss for our nation and the world.

"In 2000, I had the great honor of being presented the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award by the senator. And, I will always remember his insights and advice during my confirmation hearing.

August 26, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces more than $3.4 million to continue to assist Minnesota workers affected by manufacturing industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,446,051 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to assist workers across the state of Minnesota affected by layoffs from five companies in the manufacturing and retail industries: Celestica, Hutchinson Technology Inc., International Business Machines (IBM), Seagate Technology Inc. and Target.

August 26, 2009

U.S. Labor Department obtains default judgment and court appointment of independent fiduciary for 401(k) plan abandoned by Kennebunk, Maine, company

Boston – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a default judgment appointing Corporate Benefits Co. (CORBCO) of Boston, Massachusetts, as the independent fiduciary to manage the abandoned 401(k) plan of defunct TRITECH Information Strategies Inc., formerly of Kennebunk, Maine.

August 25, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $316,000 to assist workers in Maine affected by automotive industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $316,458 grant to assist approximately 80 workers affected by layoffs at Formed Fiber Technologies Inc. located in Auburn, Maine.

"These workers now will have access to employment-related services that will lead to new careers in promising regional industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Auto workers have borne the brunt of the recent economic downturn and are deserving of our support as they seek re-employment."

August 25, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor sues defunct Atlanta-based mortgage loan company to protect participants’ 401(k) assets

Atlanta – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued ZNET Financial Services, Abby Paschal and Farbod Zohouri for violating provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

August 24, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor certifies approximately 1,400 workers in 5 states as eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance

Workers in Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio and South Dakota covered

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 1,400 workers laid off from specific companies in five states – Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio and South Dakota – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.