WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $23 million in grant funding to support organizations working to help homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness by providing training and employment services. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer completed a four-state swing through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska as she nears the end of her 50-state “America at Work” listening tour, meeting with construction workers, business leaders, local officials, healthcare workers, and apprentices as part of her promise to speak directly with the hardworking men and women who keep our nation running strong. 

WAUSAU, WI – A federal court has ordered a Wisconsin-based multicounty medical care partnership to pay $162,486 in back wages and liquidated damages to 68 case managers after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found the employer did not pay case managers all wages owed for off-the-clock work, including overtime. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced the overhaul of its national enforcement projects for fiscal year 2026 to ensure an even-handed, responsive approach to investigations to produce the best results for American workers, retirees, and their families. 

In the week ending January 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 198,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 208,000 to 207,000. The 4-week moving average was 205,000, a decrease of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since January 20, 2024 when it was 203,250. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 211,750 to 211,500.

CINCINNATI – A federal court has ordered a civil engineering firm and its owner to pay $45,699.63 to employee accounts in the company’s 401(k) plan after the U.S. Department of Labor found the company violated federal employee benefits law. 

CONCORD, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed a strategic partnership with the Methuen Obayashi Joint Venture to promote worker safety and health during construction of the Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project in Manchester.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $22 million in funding to strengthen critical mineral supply chains and combat China’s reliance on labor abuse as a means of controlling the world’s critical minerals.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $23 million in funding to strengthen labor law enforcement in Mexico and ensure that U.S.-Mexico trade benefits American workers and businesses.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today filed an amicus brief seeking to clarify the proper constraints and liberties that apply when a business decides to derisk by transferring its pension plan liabilities to an annuity provider. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor welcomed yesterday's decision by the plaintiffs in Pizarro v. Home Depot to withdraw their petition for certiorari from the U.S. Supreme Court, ostensibly bringing the case to a close.

The plaintiffs, participants in the Home Depot FutureBuilder 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan, had pursued a class action lawsuit challenging the plan’s administration. Home Depot prevailed at both the district court and court of appeals levels. Undeterred, plaintiffs’ counsel sought Supreme Court review.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the December 2025 Employment Situation Report:

BOISE, ID – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with the owner of two Boise restaurants that failed to pay minimum wage and overtime to 388 workers, in violation of federal law. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of nearly $14 million in funding to support the development of programs aimed at reinvigorating and rebuilding the U.S. maritime industry and workforce.

FORT WORTH, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered Fort Worth-based trucking company Balkan Express LLC to reinstate and compensate a worker who was terminated after reporting safety concerns, in violation of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which protects commercial motor vehicle safety complaints.

PHOENIX – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment to recover $147,708 in back wages and liquidated damages for 61 roofers whose employer withheld overtime wages, in violation of federal law.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division today announced it has recovered more than $259 million in back wages for nearly 177,000 employees nationwide – an average of $1,465 per worker – in fiscal year 2025, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the American workforce.

In the week ending January 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 208,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 199,000 to 200,000. The 4-week moving average was 211,750, a decrease of 7,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 27, 2024 when it was 210,250. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 218,750 to 219,000.

FRESNO, CA – A federal court has ordered a California-based agriculture employer and its owners to pay back wages and penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation determined the employer neglected to transport agricultural workers in safe vehicles, related to a deadly crash, a violation of federal law.

ESCONDIDO, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment requiring an Escondido drywall construction contractor to pay $790,000 in back wages, damages, and penalties after a federal investigation found the employer failed to pay the federally required minimum wage and overtime to 580 workers.