SOLON, IA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), E & J Electric Inc. – based in Solon, Iowa, and operates as both E & J Electric Inc. & E & J Geothermal Inc. – has paid $126,420 in back wages to 25 current and former employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $22 million in new grant funding to promote labor law enforcement and help end exploitative labor practices in at least five trade partner countries. The funds will support projects to combat abusive labor practices, including the use of child labor, forced labor and human trafficking.

DELAIR, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Aluminum Shapes LLC for workplace safety and health hazards after a crane operator was injured in August 2019 at the aluminum manufacturer’s Delair, New Jersey, foundry. The company faces $169,524 in penalties for these violations.

ORLANDO, FL – In a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Shooting Gallery Range Inc. – a shooting range based in Orlando, Florida – has agreed to pay an employee $30,000 in back wages and compensatory damages. The settlement is reflected in a U.S. District Court consent judgment issued January 24, 2020.

HARMONY, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Metarko Excavating LLC for exposing employees to trenching hazards at a Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, worksite. The company faces $59,311 in penalties.

PHOENIX, AZ –  After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Chuy’s Mesquite Broiler – a restaurant based in Tucson, Arizona – will pay $114,964 in back wages and damages to 55 employees and $20,372 in civil penalties for violating minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

LOS ANGELES, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Care Center on Hazeltine LLC – a healthcare center in Van Nuys, California – has paid $13,640 in lost wages and liquidated damages to a former employee after the employer violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

GLENCOE, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Goose Lake Construction Inc. after an employee suffered serious injuries when an unprotected trench collapsed, burying him up to his waist at a Glencoe, Illinois, worksite. OSHA proposed penalties of $233,377.

In the week ending January 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 211,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 204,000 to 205,000. The 4-week moving average was 213,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 216,250 to 216,500.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced incremental funding of $4,000,000 for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant to the North Carolina Department of Commerce in response to Hurricane Florence in September 2018.

Funds will allow participants to complete remaining disaster-relief activities in 18 counties declared eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) with a yearlong celebration of past achievements, current efforts and future initiatives to protect the American workforce.

COLUMBIA, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Dab City Tobacco and Vape LLC, headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, will pay $46,748 in back wages and liquidated damages to 31 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The department also assessed the employer a $21,235 civil money penalty for the willful nature of the violations.

WESTBURY, NY – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has entered a consent judgment requiring three Long Island, New York-area restaurants and their owners to pay a total of $365,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 79 current and former employees. The court action follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and litigation by the department’s Office of the Solicitor. The defendants must also pay $15,000 in penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

LOUISVILLE, KY – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Manna Inc. – a Louisville, Kentucky-based franchisee of 99 Wendy’s and Fazoli’s restaurants in nine states – will pay a civil money penalty of $157,114 for violating child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Philadelphia Energy Solutions for serious violations of safety and health hazards related to process safety management (PSM) following a fire and subsequent explosions at the company’s Girard Point Refinery Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June 2019. The company faces $132,600 in penalties.

JACKSON, MS – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Warehouse Liquors & Wines Inc. – operating as Wines & Spirits in the Quarter in Jackson, Mississippi – has paid $22,782 in back wages and liquidated damages to six employees for violating the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

DETROIT, MI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Super Car Wash Systems & Holdings LLC – based in Royal Oak, Michigan – has paid $83,741 in back wages and damages to 60 current and former employees at nine Detroit metro-area car wash locations. WHD investigators found the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

TOLEDO, OHIO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited The Andersons Inc. for grain handling, and walking and working surfaces violations after two employees attempting to clear a clogged floor hole in a grain storage bin became fatally engulfed at the company’s Toledo, Ohio, facility. OSHA has proposed $291,716 in penalties.

SEATTLE, WA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Joy Fish Restaurant – a seafood restaurant in Seattle, Washington – will pay $99,625 to 28 employees to resolve  violations of provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).