February 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Obtains Temporary Restraining Order To Protect Participants and Beneficiaries of Failing MEWA

LOS ANGELES, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Riverstone Capital LLC; NexGen Insurance Services Inc.; and NGI Brokerage Services Inc. (collectively, “Riverstone”) and the individuals that operate it.

February 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $5,579,939 for 993 Employees Who Performed Hurricane Recovery Work in Puerto Rico

GUAYNABO, PR – Investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) have resulted in the recovery of $5,579,939 in back wages and benefits owed to 993 employees of nine subcontractors that provided power generator operation support for hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.

February 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Updates Regulations Implementing Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) announced today the publication of the final rule updating the regulations governing administration of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA).

February 7, 2019

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta On Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative:

“The Trump administration continues to empower women economically with the launch of the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity initiative.

February 7, 2019

Court Sentences Lansing, Michigan, Resident to Jail, Orders $48,285 In Restitution for Theft of Mother’s General Motors’ Employee Pension

LANSING, MI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), and the 30th Circuit Court for Ingham County, Michigan, the Michigan Circuit Court for Ingham County has sentenced Allen G. Ollenburger – a resident of Lansing, Michigan – to serve 45 days in Jail, 60 months' probation, and ordered him to make $48,285 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to cashing General Motors' pension checks issued to his deceased mother.

February 7, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Florida Grocery Store Paying $198,039 in Back Wages and Liquidated Damages to 17 Employees

TAMPA, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), El Grande Supermarket Corp. – operating as El Grande Supermarket in Tampa, Florida – will pay $198,039 in back wages and liquidated damages to 17 employees for violating the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

February 7, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Florida Cell Phone Company Paying $27,514 in Back Wages and Damages

PENSACOLA, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), IV Wireless LLC – operating as Boost Mobile in Pensacola, Florida – will pay $27,514 in back wages and liquidated damages to 32 employees for violating the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

February 7, 2019

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending February 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 234,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 253,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,750, an increase of 4,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 220,250.

February 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor to Provide Educational Forum in Indianapolis to Discuss Wage Laws, and Payroll Audit Independent Determination Program

INDIANAPOLIS, IN ­- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will present an educational forum about developments in its policies and regulations, and its Payroll Audit Independent Determination Program (PAID), in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 21, 2019.

February 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Guam Building Materials Distributor For Struck-By Hazards

HAGATNA, GU – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Benson Guam Enterprises Inc. – based in Hagatna, Guam – for exposing employees to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries when several doors fell on him as he unloaded a shipping container.

February 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Orders Vermont Company to Compensate Employee Fired for Reporting Finance Industry Violations

BOSTON, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Hermitage Club Realty LLC – a real estate company based in Wilmington, Vermont – to pay a former employee $22,693 in back pay and bonuses with interest, and $20,000 in compensatory damages.

February 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Announces New Compliance Assistance Tool

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of an enhanced electronic version of the Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This new online version of one of the Wage and Hour Division’s (WHD) most popular publications will assist American employers and workers with a simple, easy-to-follow resource that provides basic WHD information, as well as links to other resources.

February 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Tennessee Motel Company Paying $58,894 in Back Wages

NASHVILLE, TN – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Om Shree Ganesha LLC – operating as the Scottish Inns in Nashville, Tennessee – will pay $58,894 in back wages to four employees for violations of the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

February 5, 2019

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta on President Trump’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union Address:

February 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Concrete Finishing Company Paying $24,015 in Back Wages and Liquidated Damages

SEMINARY, MS – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), JLB Development LLC – based in Seminary, Mississippi – has paid $24,015 in back wages and liquidated damages to 25 employees for violating the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

February 4, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Texas Indoor Gun Range For Exposing Employees to Unsafe Lead Levels

KILLEEN, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Tap Rack Bang Indoor Shooting Range LLC - operating as The Gun Range - for exposing employees to unsafe levels of lead at its facility in Killeen, Texas. The employer faces penalties totaling $214,387.

February 4, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Partners with Contractor to Promote Workplace Safety during Construction of Tire Plant in Mississippi

JACKSON, MS – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with Mississippi State University's Center for Continuing Education Industrial Health & Safety Program and Brasfield & Gorrie LLC to promote worker safety and health at the Continental Tire Main Plant project in Clinton, Mississippi. The partnership seeks to prevent injuries and exposure to hazards during the construction of the 750,000 square-foot facility.

February 4, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Tampa Construction Company Paying $38,544 in Back Wages and Damages

TAMPA, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, Environmental Construction Inc. – operating as ECI and based in Tampa, Florida – has paid $38,544 in back wages and liquidated damages to 16 employees for violating the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

February 1, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Arizona Plumbing Contractor Paying $29,753 to Resolve Wage Violations

PHOENIX, AZ – Sierra Verde Plumbing LLC – based in Phoenix, Arizona – will pay $29,753 in total back wages and liquidated damages to six employees after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Additionally, WHD assessed the employer $5,184 in civil penalties.

February 1, 2019

California Dockworkers Union Member Sentenced After U.S. Department of Labor Uncovers Healthcare Fraud Scheme

LOS ANGELES, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has sentenced Sergio Amador – a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Local 13 – to 12 months and one day in prison and ordered him to make $201,000 in restitution for defrauding the union’s Welfare Plan.