WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the President Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

“Amy Coney Barrett is an admired teacher, scholar, and judge.  President Trump has selected a top-notch nominee of unquestioned ability and integrity.”

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded approximately $22 million in contract investments to 12 Industry Intermediaries to continue the Department’s efforts to expand the number of apprenticeship opportunities in growing sectors across the country.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced plans for the national reopening of Job Corps campuses with select centers welcoming students starting Oct. 20, 2020.

Each Job Corps Center, subject to national office oversight, will determine the best approach to resume on-site operations ensuring the health and welfare of the students and staff. Not all Job Corps campuses will resume physical operations at the same time.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) of up to $6,877,500 to the California Department of Employment Development in response to the recent wildfires.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of nearly $41 million in grants to 47 states and Puerto Rico through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program. This annual formula grant provides funding to states for training and other activities, including training services, job search, and relocation allowances, and employment and case management services to serve eligible workers affected by foreign trade.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of approximately $156 million in grants through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) to provide career services and training services to low-income older individuals who are seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce.

AUSTIN, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Bottom of the Cup Inc. – a café and coffee house based in Round Rock, Texas – will pay $14,286 in back wages to 15 employees after the employer missed payroll, violating the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).   

AUSTIN, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Controllables Management LLC – owner of five Austin, Texas restaurants – has paid $46,153 to 206 employees for violations of the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).   

LITTLE ROCK, AR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), D&L Inc. – a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration company based in Blytheville, Arkansas – has paid $40,371 in back wages to 52 employees working out of its Blytheville, and Darlington, South Carolina, locations for violations of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $8,000,000, awarded to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, in response to Hurricane Laura. 

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for $2,500,000 awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, in response to Hurricane Laura. 

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has entered into a conciliation agreement with BioFire LLC – doing business as BioFire Diagnostics in Salt Lake City, Utah – to resolve allegations that the federal contractor discriminated against applicants for positions at its Salt Lake City facility. 

MANSFIELD, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has entered into a conciliation agreement with Mouser Electronics Inc. – an international distributor of semiconductors and electronic components – to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the availability of $150 million in the H-1B One Workforce Grant Program to invest in training for middle- to high-skilled H-1B occupations within key sectors in the U.S. economy, including information technology and cyber security, advanced manufacturing and transportation, to upskill the present workforce and train a new generation of workers to grow the future workforce. 

In the week ending September 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 870,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 860,000 to 866,000. The 4-week moving average was 878,250, a decrease of 35,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,500 from 912,000 to 913,500.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina to discuss the economic recovery during the coronavirus pandemic. Secretary Scalia toured Machine Specialties, Inc. and met with company leadership, employees, and apprentices to discuss economic recovery and building a stronger workforce through apprenticeships.

WASHINGTON, DC – As a critical part of the Administration’s efforts to expand access to in-demand job opportunities, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has recognized an initial 18 organizations as Standards Recognition Entities (SREs) to oversee the development of high-quality Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a proposed rule clarifying the definition of employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as it relates to independent contractors.

MOBILE, AL – The operator of a Smoothie King franchise in Mobile, Alabama, has paid $918 in back wages to seven employees after wrongly denying them emergency paid sick leave. The seven employees took leave while some sought medical diagnosis for suspected coronavirus infection and others followed orders to self-quarantine due to coronavirus exposure at the workplace.