NEW JERSEY – An administrative law judge has ordered three New Jersey-based contractors to pay $429,846 in back wages and fringe benefits to 12 workers employed on multiple federal construction projects, after an investigation and litigation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of Project Firewall, an H-1B enforcement initiative that will safeguard the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled American workers by ensuring employers prioritize qualified Americans when hiring workers and holding employers accountable if they abuse the H-1B visa process.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $2 million to Ohio to support employment and training services for workers affected by the closure of the Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC Chillicothe Paper Mill.

In the week ending September 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 231,000, a decrease of 33,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 263,000 to 264,000. The 4-week moving average was 240,000, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 240,500 to 240,750.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Following two federal safety inspections, the U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Jacksonville roofing contractor with 10 safety violations for willfully exposing workers to fall hazards by not requiring them to wear fall protection while working at least six feet above a lower level, leading to over $700,000 in proposed penalties.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Wage and Hour Division will offer the last of its fiscal year 2025 webinars on prevailing wage requirements for contractors, contracting agencies, unions, workers, and other stakeholders involved in federally funded construction and service contracts. 

In the week ending September 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 263,000, an increase of 27,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the highest level for initial claims since October 23, 2021 when it was 268,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 237,000 to 236,000. The 4-week moving average was 240,500, an increase of 9,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 231,000 to 230,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Administrative Review Board today announced an overhaul of its website to increase transparency and provide the public with a greater understanding of its processes and procedures.

Tasked with issuing appellate decisions for cases related to worker protection laws, the Administrative Review Board’s website updates will improve workers’ ability to file, track, and process cases, while also allowing the board to act with more transparency. 

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer embarked on her America at Work listening tour in Virginia this week, touring a nationally recognized shipbuilding apprenticeship school and visiting local manufacturers. The Secretary highlighted how President Trump’s pro-worker agenda is creating mortgage-paying jobs while strengthening national security. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its preliminary annual benchmark revision to nonfarm payroll data, revealing that job growth was revised down 911,000 through the 12-month period ending in March 2025 – one of the largest markdowns in decades:

LIVERMORE, CA – A federal court has ordered a Northern California-based roofing contractor to pay $1,943,685 in back wages and damages to 158 workers after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found the employer failed to pay required overtime rates to workers.

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. departments of Labor and Education announced they have taken historic steps to integrate the federal government’s workforce portfolio through its innovative partnership announced earlier this year.

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

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $8 million in funding to reinvigorate the U.S. shipbuilding industry, a key part of the department’s efforts to usher in a new era of American worker dominance in global supply chains. 

WASHINGTON – The Trump Administration today announced its Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, which provides the American people with a transparent look at regulations being considered by the Administration and ensures the public is engaged throughout the process. 

Including nearly 150 proposals under the U.S. Department of Labor’s jurisdiction, the agenda reflects President Trump’s ongoing commitment to protect workers, support business growth, and ultimately put American workers and businesses first. 

In the week ending August 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 237,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 229,000. The 4-week moving average was 231,000, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 228,500.

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Labor recovered $107,300 in back wages from an Aurora-based Thai restaurant that denied 27 employees overtime pay and kept some of their tips, in violation of federal law. 

BOYNTON BEACH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Port Saint Lucie tree service contractor for allegedly exposing workers to crushed-by hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries while operating a woodchipper at a Boynton Beach worksite in January 2025.

VERNON, VT – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer this week wrapped up a six-state swing through New England – visiting Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont – as part of her nationwide America at Work listening tour. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to crack down on rampant fraud that has riddled unemployment compensation programs across the nation.