WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $22 million grant to assist approximately 7,400 workers affected by financial industry layoffs in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey Tri-State area.

"Due to the crisis in the financial system, thousands of people lost their jobs through no fault of their own," said acting Secretary of Labor Edward C. Hugler. "The services provided through this grant will assist front line and back office workers in getting back to work as soon as possible."

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 626,000, an increase of 35,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 591,000. The 4-week moving average was 582,250, an increase of 39,000 from the previous week's revised average of 543,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending Jan. 24, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that all former Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Laboratory (CANEL) workers have now been added to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act's (EEOICPA) Special Exposure Cohort (SEC). The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified employees may also be entitled to benefits.

Data will mark 1st official measure of unemployment rate facing Americans with disabilities

Washington – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), today announced guidance on the duties of employee benefit plan fiduciaries in light of alleged abuses involving Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC.

Syracuse, New York – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Kellogg Auto Supply Co. Inc. of Cortland, New York, and company president and general manager Richard Coates for alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal law that protects private sector pension and employee benefit plans.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has paid more than $100 million in compensation and medical benefits to Florida residents under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). The act was created to assist those individuals who became ill as a result of working in the atomic weapons industry. Survivors of such individuals may also be eligible for benefits.

Melville, New York – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will sponsor “Getting It Right – Know Your Fiduciary Responsibilities,” a free compliance assistance seminar, on February 12 at the Melville Marriott Long Island at 1350 Old Walt Whitman Road.

Boston – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a settlement agreement filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District Court of Massachusetts, providing for payment of nearly $115,000 in unpaid employee health claims of bankrupt Wolverine Proctor & Schwartz LLC, formerly of Merrimac, Massachusetts. After filing for bankruptcy, the company abandoned its employee health benefit plans, leaving 79 employees with significant unpaid health care costs.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 588,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 585,000. The 4-week moving average was 542,500, an increase of 24,250 from the previous week's revised average of 518,250.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will hold an informal public hearing on the proposed cranes and derricks in construction standard published in the Oct. 9, 2008, edition of the Federal Register (73 FR 59713).

The hearing will be held beginning March 17 at 10 a.m. EST in the auditorium on the plaza level of the Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.

Metairie, Louisiana – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will sponsor “Getting It Right – Know Your Fiduciary Responsibilities,” a free compliance assistance seminar, on January 28 at the Four Points by Sheraton New Orleans.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 589,000, an increase of 62,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 527,000. The 4-week moving average was 519,250, unchanged from the previous week's revised average of 519,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.4 percent for the week ending Jan. 10, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.4 percent.

Atlanta – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a default judgment in federal district court in Atlanta ordering Concrete Construction Co. of Acworth, Georgia, and its president, Craig Wagner, to restore $11,672 due to the failure of the defendants to prudently manage the funds, to the company’s 401 (k) retirement savings plan. The payment is comprised of delinquent employee contributions, uncollected employer matching contributions, and lost earnings on the employee contributions.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded nearly $123 million to 68 community colleges and community-based institutions that competed successfully under the President's Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative. Awardees were chosen from among 274 applications received in response to a competition announced Oct. 10, 2008.

"The $123 million awarded today will expand enrollment in education and training programs, and provide more workers with the skills they need to succeed," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

WASHINGTON – The Jan. 21 edition of the Federal Register will contain a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to a 12-county area encompassing western Kentucky, northwestern Tennessee and southern Illinois. Led by the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, area leaders will establish a regional strategic plan that promotes economic growth and is prepared for dislocation events.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has paid more than $4.5 billion to 48,072 individuals under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees who became ill as a result of working in the atomic weapons industry.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) today announced that on Jan. 21 a final regulation will be published in the Federal Register to update the Form LM-2. The changes will ensure that relevant information on union finances is provided to rank-and-file union members to better ensure transparency and accountability as required by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA).

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Department of Labor-led interagency work group to increase the number of people with disabilities in the federal workforce was formed this week as part of a continuing commitment to encouraging opportunities for workers with disabilities.

The initiative was established by Disability Employment Policy Assistant Secretary of Labor Neil Romano under the direction of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao, resulting in 18 federal agencies sending representatives to the initial working meeting.