WASHINGTON, DC - To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a nationwide initiative to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program in the hotel industry.

SAN JUAN, PR – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has signed agreements with the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, Labor Standards Division (PR-LSD), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (OCPR) to establish collaborative relationships to promote compliance with laws where the agencies have common interests.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced today that it has issued six new opinion letters. This release demonstrates the agency's continued commitment to providing meaningful compliance assistance to help employees understand their rights and ensure that employers have the information they need to comply with federal labor laws. The letters released today address compliance under both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

LOS ANGELES, CA – Garment contractor SMT Apparel Inc. – based in Los Angeles, California – will pay 40 employees $51,840 after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found that the company failed to pay minimum wage and overtime, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

CLINTON, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has debarred Ruben V. Serna – owner of Serna Harvesting, a farm labor contractor – from participation in the H-2A visa program for three years for violations of federal wage and H-2A program requirements. WHD found that Serna owed $194,109 in back wages to 181 employees certified to work at 15 North Carolina farms for which the contractor provides H-2A workers. WHD also assessed Serna a civil money penalty of $174,614 for the violations.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division announced today that in the upcoming weeks it will hold public listening sessions to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the “Overtime Rule.”

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Taqueria Chapala Jalisco restaurant – based in San Antonio, Texas – has paid $208,642 to 69 employees to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements found at four of its locations during a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation.

ANAHEIM, CA – Two hotels in Anaheim, California, have paid $59,142 in back wages and liquidated damages to 87 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SYLACAUGA, AL – Ironworks subcontractor Hoytt Reinforcing Inc. – based in Sylacauga, Alabama – will pay $106,046 in back wages, overtime, and fringe benefits to 77 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SPRINGFIELD, TN – Appliance manufacturer Electrolux North America Inc. – based in Springfield, Tennessee – has paid a former employee $43,014 in lost wages after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation determined the company violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Sixteen employees of The Journey restaurant – based in Indianapolis, Indiana – will receive $45,828 in back wages following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that disclosed overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Ninety-two current and former employees of two Indiana lawn care companies – Super Cutz Lawn Care LLC and Precision Cut Lawn Service – have received $59,926 in back wages following two investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found employers violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

ROCK ISLAND, TN – Hillis Group LLC, based in Rock Island, Tennessee, will pay $89,204 in back wages and liquidated damages to 42 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found that the asphalt and trucking company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

GUAYNABO, PR– Ceres Environmental Services Inc. – a contractor based in San Juan, Puerto Rico – which installed temporary roofing as part of hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, has paid $500,000 in back wages to 995 employees to resolve violations of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JLBS Construction, a construction company based in Indianapolis, Indiana, will pay $98,236 in overtime back wages to 112 employees, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found the employer had violated overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

ELKHART, IN – Recreational vehicle manufacturer RV Factory LLC – based in Elkhart, Indiana – will pay $55,484 in overtime back wages to 157 former and current employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found multiple violations of the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

MANASSAS, VA - A direct mail company has paid $355,672 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 73 employees to resolve violations of overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

MANCHESTER, N.H.  – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), The Fairbank Group LLC will implement extensive corrective measures to resolve violations of the child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and ensure future compliance at its three recreational resorts. The company has also paid a $21,582 penalty. 

Training on Federal Construction and Service Contracts Set for August 27-28

SAN JUAN, PR – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will offer a comprehensive compliance seminar for federal contractors, unions, and workers to provide information on the rules governing federal prevailing wage requirements.

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has entered a consent judgment requiring Paul Dill Associates Inc. and its two owners, Paul Joseph Dill and Paul Jeremy Dill - doing business as Bi County Auto Body - to pay $185,000 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 49 employees, plus $30,000 in civil penalties.