ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a closure order under Section 104(b) of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) to Snapco Inc. of Buchanan County, Va., after the mine operator failed to pay $396,576.84 in delinquent penalties and then ignored a demand to correct the failure. The order closes production at the company's Mine Number 2; the penalties stem from at least 360 violations cited at that operation.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,047,844 grant to assist approximately 240 workers affected by the closure of Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. manufacturing plants located in the rural communities of La Grande and Pendleton, Ore.

"This grant will allow affected workers in Oregon to access the services and training necessary to allow them to enter occupations in growing regional industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 631,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 645,000. The 4-week moving average was 637,250, a decrease of 10,750 from the previous week's revised average of 648,000.

Buffalo, New York – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment prohibiting a former trustee of the Franbilt Inc. 401(k) Plan from serving as a fiduciary to any employee benefit plan covered by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Franbilt Inc., now defunct, was a steel fabrication plant located in Lockport, New York.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3 million grant to create approximately 300 temporary cleanup and recovery jobs because of Florida's recent severe storms and flooding.

"Spring storms hit Florida hard, resulting in flooding throughout the panhandle region," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will create temporary jobs to help some area residents recover from the flooding's aftermath."

WASHINGTON – During a groundbreaking ceremony for a workers memorial monument held today at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md., Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis paid tribute to the men and women who have lost their lives on the job.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is initiating a comprehensive rulemaking on combustible dust.

OSHA will issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and convene related stakeholder meetings to evaluate possible regulatory methods, and request data and comments on issues related to combustible dust such as hazard recognition, assessment, communication, defining combustible dust and other concerns.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will convene a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel May 5 on a draft proposed rule on occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl.

Official U.S. benefits Web site marks 7th anniversary by launching Twitter account

WASHINGTON — GovBenefits.gov, a collaborative effort of 17 federal agencies with content on more than 1,000 benefits and assistance programs, today is launching a Twitter account to provide continuous updates about the Web site's resources. In this time of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to meet citizen demand for information about available benefits.

New York – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed two lawsuits asking the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York to appoint independent fiduciaries to oversee the abandoned profit-sharing plans of defunct H&M Tool & Machine Co. Inc. and Valmar Industrial Corp., both formerly located in the Binghamton, New York, area.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today made the following statement on equal pay:

"One of the most fundamental principles on which our nation was founded is the belief that we are all created equal.

"Yet today, women earn just 78 cents for every dollar a man earns. Women of color earn even less. Countless women are losing thousands of dollars in salary, income and retirement savings over the course of a lifetime. As a result, women often must work longer or harder to make ends meet.

Washington – The U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services today announced publication of a request for information (RFI) soliciting public comments in advance of developing rulemakings on group health plans. The RFI is published in today’s Federal Register.

Atlanta – The U.S. Department of Labor is suing Bonnie Tile and several of its former corporate officers to require them to restore assets to the defunct company’s savings incentive match plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA) plan.

ARLINGTON, Va. – For the 11th consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today launched its annual "Stay Out – Stay Alive" public safety campaign to warn outdoor enthusiasts – especially children – about the dangers of playing on mine property. Since 1999, nearly 300 people have lost their lives in recreational accidents at mine properties. Almost half of all victims are 15 to 25 years of age, and the most common cause of death is drowning in a quarry.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of Sandra Polaski as deputy undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB).

"Sandra's extensive experience with labor, employment and trade issues will make her an excellent leader and a great asset to the department," Secretary Solis said.

Previously, Polaski served as a senior associate and director of the trade, equity and development program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 640,000, an increase of 27,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 613,000. The 4-week moving average was 646,750, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 651,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $627,961 grant to assist approximately 87 workers affected by the sudden closure of Wood Structures Inc. headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, with a manufacturing facility in Saco, Maine.

"The sudden loss of jobs within these communities warrants a response that offers workers opportunities to improve their current skills or pursue new careers in growing regional industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,520,633 grant to assist approximately 300 workers affected by the closure of MPC Computers LLC in Nampa, Idaho.

"This grant will provide training and education opportunities for workers so that they can upgrade existing skills and transition to careers in new industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The following is the written statement for the record of U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, who today testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions regarding green jobs skills training for workers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $54,227,780 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits.