September 5, 2013

OSHA News Release: Adams Thermal Systems to pay $1.33 million to resolve OSHA citations, criminal penalties in 2011 death of worker at South Dakota plant [09/05/2013]

CANTON, S.D. — Adams Thermal Systems Inc. has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to pay more than $1.33 million to resolve criminal penalties and OSHA fines levied as a result of the death of a worker on Nov. 7, 2011, in the company's Canton plant. The U.S. Attorney's Office filed the Deferred Prosecution Agreement on Sept. 5, 2013, and has asked that it be approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.

September 5, 2013

ODEP News Release: Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy to host online dialogue Sept. 9-11 on employing workers with disabilities [09/05/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy invites employers and other interested stakeholders to participate in an online dialogue Sept. 9-11 on hiring, retaining and advancing workers with disabilities.

September 4, 2013

DOL v. J. M. Singley & Associates Inc.

Date of Action: Aug. 29, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): J. M. Singley & Associates Inc.

August 29, 2013

ETA Press Release: Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 331,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 337,000. The 4-week moving average was 331,250, an increase of 750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 330,500.

August 29, 2013

Department of Labor files complaint to recover more than $20,000 to the Sister Rosalind Gefre Employee Retirement Plan in Minneapolis

Date of Action: Aug. 27, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Sister Rosalind Gefre Schools of Clinics and Massage Inc., Peter Fahnlander and Larry Hanson, individually, and fiduciaries to the Sister Rosalind Gefre Employee Retirement Plan

August 29, 2013

WHD News Release: San Francisco Giants pay employees $545,000 in back wages, damages [08/29/2013]

US Labor Department finds clubhouse and administrative workers not paid properly

August 27, 2013

OFCCP News Release: US Labor Department announces final rules to improve employment of veterans, people with disabilities [08/27/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced two final rules to improve hiring and employment of veterans and for people with disabilities. One rule updates requirements under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; the other updates those under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For more than 40 years these laws have required federal contractors and subcontractors to affirmatively recruit, hire, train and promote qualified veterans and people with disabilities respectively.

August 27, 2013

MSHA News Release: MSHA announces results of July impact inspections [08/27/2013]

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 149 citations and 16 orders during special impact inspections conducted at nine coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines last month.

August 26, 2013

US Labor Department obtains default judgment restoring employee contributions to retirement plan of Pottsville, Pa., nonprofit

Date of Action: Aug. 6, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Rape and Victim Assistance Center of Schuylkill County

August 26, 2013

ETA News Release: US Department of Labor provides $4.7 million grant to assist New York with recovery from severe storms and flooding [08/26/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $4,760,671 National Emergency Grant to assist New York with cleanup and recovery efforts after the severe storms and flooding that struck the state from June 26 to July 4, 2013.

"The Mohawk Valley area of New York experienced significant flooding and other storm-related damage. With this federal grant, impacted communities can move forward with cleanup and restoration activities while also providing temporary work opportunities for those in need of employment," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez.

August 23, 2013

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labors OSHA announces proposed rule to protect workers exposed to crystalline silica [08/23/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a proposed rule aimed at curbing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America's workers. The proposal seeks to lower worker exposure to crystalline silica, which kills hundreds of workers and sickens thousands more each year. After publication of the proposal, the public will have 90 days to submit written comments, followed by public hearings.

August 22, 2013

ETA Press Release: Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 336,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 323,000. The 4-week moving average was 330,500, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 332,750.

August 22, 2013

US Labor Department Hosts Affordable Care Act webcast

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced an upcoming webcast. “The Affordable Care Act: How Will It Affect Me?” will take place Thursday, Aug. 29 from 1-2 p.m. EDT. EBSA staff will be joined on the webcast by colleagues from the Department of Health and Human Services.

August 22, 2013

OSHA News Release: OSHA cites Hagel Metal Fabrication for willful violations after worker fatally crushed by unguarded machine at Illinois plant [08/22/2013]

Plant placed in Severe Violator Enforcement Program

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Hagel Metal Fabrication Inc., has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 12 safety and health violations after a 23-year-old worker was fatally crushed Feb. 22 by an automated laser-cutting machine. During the investigation, workers made formal complaints, which prompted two additional OSHA inspections at the East Peoria metal manufacturing plant.

August 22, 2013

OPA News Release: Statement by Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on fatal occupational injuries in 2012 [08/22/2013]

WASHINGTON — Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released today show a reduction in the number of fatal work injuries in 2012 compared with 2011. Last year, 4,383 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 4,693 fatal work injuries in 2011. Based on preliminary counts, the rate of fatal workplace injuries in 2012 was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, down from a rate of 3.5 per 100,000 in 2011. In response, Secretary of Labor Thomas E.

August 22, 2013

US Department of Labor sues San Francisco's California Pacific Bank

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against San Francisco's California Pacific Bank and four of its directors. The complaint alleges that the bank, its CEO and three additional fiduciaries of the bank's Employee Stock Ownership Plan mismanaged plan assets resulting in potential plan losses totaling approximately $1.4 million. The suit asks the court to require the fiduciaries to restore all losses they caused to the plan.

August 22, 2013

EBSA News Release: US Labor Department Hosts Affordable Care Act webcast [08/22/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced an upcoming webcast. "The Affordable Care Act: How Will It Affect Me?" will take place Thursday, Aug. 29 from 1-2 p.m. EDT. EBSA staff will be joined on the webcast by colleagues from the Department of Health and Human Services.

August 21, 2013

ETA News Release: US Department of Labor announces grant to assist Wisconsin workers and displaced homemakers affected by nuclear power plant closure [08/21/2013]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded an $807,193 National Emergency Grant to assist about 220 individuals affected by the closure of the Kewaunee Power Station in Kewaunee, Wis.

"These workers have specialized job skills needed in the nuclear power industry, and this federal funding will provide a range of re-employment services and opportunities," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Eric Seleznow.

August 20, 2013

US Labor Department sues Marlton, NJ, beauty salon to restore contributions to employee retirement savings plan

Date of Action: Aug. 16, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): 800 West Salon Inc. retirement savings plan

August 20, 2013

EBSA News Release: US Labor Department lawsuit leads to restoration of more than $2.3 million to annuity, vacation and hiring hall funds of IATSE Local 829 in New York [08/20/2013]

NEW YORK — The trustees of the pension plan, annuity fund and vacation fund of Exhibition Employees Local 829 of the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees in New York repaid a total of $2,256,817, with an additional $50,000 scheduled to be paid, to the funds following a consent judgment, which came after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation revealed numerous violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.