Atlanta – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a consent judgment and order with defunct Shelton and Associates and a corporate officer to restore assets to the former company’s pension plan.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 669,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 657,000. The 4-week moving average was 656,750, an increase of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average of 650,250.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $5,882,545 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of South Dakota. South Dakota 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. South Dakota's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery.

Washington – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will host a free webcast April 6 to help employers and plan administrators understand new requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) relating to continuation health coverage.

Chesterfield, Michigan – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Detroit, Michigan, to obtain appointment of an independent fiduciary to terminate the profit-sharing trust of Constitution Mold & Engineering Inc. (CME) and distribute its assets to eligible plan participants. CME was formerly a business operated in Chesterfield.

Dallas – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment appointing G Trust as the independent fiduciary of the 401(k) plan of defunct Warren Manufacturing Inc. of Morris, Oklahoma. The court order gives G Trust authority to manage the assets of the abandoned 401(k), terminate the plan and distribute $16,159.55 to nine participants.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $8,342,254 grant to assist approximately 2,428 workers affected by layoffs at the General Motors Corp. truck assembly plant in Moraine, the Chrysler north assembly plant in Toledo, the GM Lordstown plant in Warren and 12 other supplier companies located in Ohio.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $757,678 grant to assist approximately 160 workers affected by layoffs at American Airlines Overhaul Base Facility located in Kansas City, Mo.

"American Airlines has experienced the effects of the global and national economic downturn that has caused the elimination of routes and an overall reduction in flights," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The services offered by this grant will help the affected workers find and obtain employment in high growth occupations within their region."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revised its Field Operations Manual to provide OSHA compliance officers with a single comprehensive resource of updated guidance in implementing the agency's mission to more effectively protect employees from occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $254,516 grant to assist approximately 73 workers affected by layoffs at Wausau Paper Specialty Products LLC located in Jay, Maine.

"Today's grant will provide affected workers with supportive services, such as career counseling and retraining, in new occupational fields that will enhance their eligibility for re-employment," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement in commemoration of Cesar E. Chavez's birthday:

"I would like to pay a special tribute to the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez. He dedicated his life to championing the rights of farm laborers and all working people, and he did it through nonviolence.

"Chavez was a second-generation American. He was born March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Ariz., and raised during the Great Depression.

ROME – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the American automotive industry:

"I am committed to revitalizing the American auto industry and helping manufacturing communities create new jobs to rebuild local economies. For hardest hit workers and communities, we will do everything we can to provide relief and paths to re-employment.

Boston – Matthew G. Hillery, president and sole officer of defunct Solid Sense Systems Corp. of Waltham, Massachusetts, has agreed to restore more than $25,000 to the company’s savings incentive match plan for employees individual retirement account (SIMPLE IRA) under a consent judgment obtained by the U.S. Department of Labor. The judgment resolves a lawsuit that alleged he violated his duty as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1 million supplement to a previously awarded grant to the state of Minnesota to create approximately 50 temporary jobs to assist in continued clean-up efforts as a result of flash floods.

"Today's grant will increase the number of temporary jobs created in order to alleviate the potential for future flooding in southeastern Minnesota," said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

New Jersey is 1st state to be certified for funds under Recovery Act

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $986,796 grant to assist approximately 249 workers affected by layoffs at Hewlett-Packard (HP) Co. in Corvallis, Ore.

"The recent downsizing at Hewlett-Packard represents a significant loss of production workers in this region of Oregon," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will allow affected employees to access the necessary training and services to find employment soon."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $329,652 grant to assist approximately 50 workers affected by layoffs at Boise Cascade LLC in La Grande, Ore.

"Today's grant will provide the employment-related services necessary to help affected workers in Oregon find jobs in new careers and return to work as quickly as possible," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,027,190 grant to Washington state to create approximately 130 temporary jobs to assist in flood cleanup efforts.

"Washington endured torrential rainfall and high volumes of melted snow this past January, resulting in mass flooding throughout the western part of the state. Today's grant will create temporary jobs to help clean up the areas that were affected by the floodwaters," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 652,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 644,000. The 4-week moving average was 649,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 650,000.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement:

"I take the issues raised by the Government Accountability Office investigation regarding past Wage and Hour Division enforcement very seriously.

"As secretary of labor, I am committed to ensuring that every worker is paid at least the minimum wage, that those who work overtime are properly compensated, that child labor laws are strictly enforced and that every worker is provided a safe and healthful environment.