WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $13,964,651 National Emergency Grant supplemental award for the creation of temporary jobs to assist with ongoing clean up and recovery efforts after the tornado that devastated Joplin, Mo., as well as recovery efforts following flooding in the state's southern counties. The funds are being awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development.

Date of Action:  June 29, 2011

Names of Defendants:  James H. Trotter, Sr.; Sylvia Trotter; Trotter Construction Company, Inc.; Trotter Development Group, NC, LLC, and The Trotter Construction Company, Inc. 401(K) Plan located in Indianapolis, Ind.

Allegations: Trotter Construction Company, Inc. and Trotter Development Group NC LLC are owned by James Trotter. Trotter Construction sponsored the Trotter Construction Company, Inc. 401(k) Plan and welfare benefit plans which provided health, vision and dental benefits. 

Date of Action:  June 30, 2011

Type of Action:  Complaint to appoint an independent fiduciary to terminate the plan and distribute its assets

Names of Defendant: JMN Consulting, Inc. and JMN Consulting, Inc. 401(k) P/S Plan

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $97,729,219 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Washington. The state qualified for its remaining share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist workers who become unemployed because of compelling family reasons as well as workers who are upgrading their skills.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $83,941,360 in grants through the National Farmworker Jobs Program to combat the chronic unemployment and underemployment experienced by migrant and seasonal farmworkers who depend primarily on agricultural labor jobs. A total of $78,253,180 will go to 52 organizations nationwide to provide training, employment and support services for farmworkers and their families. An additional $5,688,600 will go to 16 organizations to provide temporary or permanent housing assistance.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the retirement of Rep. Lynn Woolsey of California:

"Congresswoman Woolsey is the rarest kind of leader in Washington. She is someone who truly understands the struggles of ordinary Americans because she has lived them. From her own humble background as a former welfare recipient to a fearless champion of the underdog in the halls of Congress, Lynn has spent her career in public service advocating for those whose voices are rarely heard.

Agency issues first major regulation updates since 1999

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has released a new directive to outline the process by which federal supply and service contractors can apply for Functional Affirmative Action Program agreements, which can be viewed at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/directives/dir296.htm.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,995,170 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide training and re-employment services to about 550 workers throughout the state of Delaware affected by layoffs at Delaware City-based Valero Energy Corp.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $117,453 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide re-employment services to more than 100 workers affected by layoffs within the manufacturing sector in eastern Iowa.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $5.5 million funding for four grantees under the Young Parents Demonstration Program. The grants are being awarded to community and faith-based organizations in Los Angeles, Calif.; Asheville, N.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Worcester, Mass., to provide intensive mentoring services for low-income parents and expectant parents ages 16 24, as a supplement to educational and occupational skills training available through existing workforce development programs.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $557,433 grant to provide training and supportive services to about 175 workers affected by layoffs at Tyco Electronics facilities in Eden Prairie and Shakopee, Minn.

"This grant will provide important training and employment services to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Labor Department is committed to helping these workers prepare for and obtain jobs in growing industries."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $337,897 grant to assist about 60 workers affected by the closure of Associated Grocers of Maine Inc. in Gardiner, Maine. The grocery distributor announced in April that it would be shutting down its distribution, logistics and transportation operations, and consequently laying off all of its employees.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $707,550 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide retraining and re-employment services to about 450 workers affected by layoffs at Chrysler LLC in Newark, Del., General Motors Corp. in Wilmington, Del., and five suppliers to the two companies.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $657,841 National Emergency Grant to assist about 200 workers affected by layoffs on April 1 at Katahdin Paper Co. in East Millinocket, Maine.

"This grant will provide critical training and employment services for these Maine workers to help them obtain good, stable jobs in growing industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Labor Department is committed to supporting these workers and at the same time helping employers develop the highly skilled workforce they need to succeed."

Grants to provide crucial services for low-income non-custodial parents and ex-offenders

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,279,199 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 720 workers affected by layoffs throughout the commonwealth of Massachusetts as a result of the closure of AJWright stores, including individuals formerly employed at the company's corporate headquarters, distribution center and retail stores.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 429,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 420,000. The 4-week moving average was 426,250, unchanged from the previous week's revised average of 426,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending June 11, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 2.9 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,412,754 National Emergency Grant increment to continue training and re-employment services to about 600 workers affected by layoffs at nine companies in the metro south/west region of Massachusetts representing the information, manufacturing, retail and transportation industries.

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Dowe and Wagner Inc., a heating and air conditioning company in Richmond, and its co-owners, Joseph Wagner and Thomas Eppers, to restore $31,650 to the company’s 401(k) plan. The case resulted from an investigation by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration into alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.