WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced updates on the goods and products produced through the use of child or forced labor, the industries where children are exploited and how governments can combat these abuses.

In the week ending August 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 227,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 231,000 to 232,000. The 4-week moving average was 230,000, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 231,500 to 231,750.

Employer name:                     Solid Care Home Health Inc.

Investigation site:                  1500 E Belt Line Road, Suite 200

                                                          Carrolton, TX 75006

LEBANON, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a summary judgment in federal court in its effort to recover more than $1 million in back wages and liquidated damages for 193 employees of a Pennsylvania home care agency and its owner, which failed to pay workers required minimum and overtime wages.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority and the Northern Border Regional Commission, today announced $49 million in grant awards to prepare workers for good-quality, secure jobs in high-demand industries in their communities. These awards deliver on the Biden-Harris administration’s promise to bring economic opportunity back to places that are too often left out or behind.

BUFFALO, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $375,649 in back wages and liquidated damages for 806 current and former employees of nursing homes in upstate New York that denied them overtime pay in violation of federal law.

HONOLULU – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $450,000 from a Honolulu air cargo carrier that shortchanged 250 employees of their full pay and benefits while fulfilling a $113 million U.S. Postal Service contract to move mail between airports in Hawaii.

DALLAS – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $103,665 in back wages for 38 workers employed by a Southlake landscaping company that misclassified them as independent contractors and, by doing so, denied them overtime pay.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the opening of the public comment period for its proposed rule intended to protect millions of workers from the significant health risks of extreme heat and its publication in the Federal Register. 

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement to mark Labor Day 2024: 

“Each Labor Day, our nation honors the hardworking people whose dedication and sacrifice helped build this great nation. Workers who - with the support of organized labor - fought for fair wages and benefits, safer working conditions, and the dignity and respect every worker deserves. 

Employer:      UMS Heavy Equipment Rental Inc.

                             3415 Maimai Road

Employer:      

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 16 mines in 10 states in July 2024, issuing 239 violations and one safeguard.

The agency began conducting impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners.

In the week ending August 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 231,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 232,000 to 233,000. The 4-week moving average was 231,500, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 236,000 to 236,250.

WASHINGTON –Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited Virginia today to see how the Apprentice School in Newport News – one of the nation’s critical apprenticeship programs – is making construction of one of the world’s most capable and adaptable aircraft carriers, the PCU John F. Kennedy, possible.

During their visit, Secretaries Su and Del Toro highlighted their shared commitment to strengthening the Department of Defense’s organic and industrial base workforce. 

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a federal consent judgment permanently prohibiting two Astoria discount stores and their owners and manager from threatening workers and obstructing investigations by the department’s Wage and Hour Division. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission today signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen competition by better coordinating information used by antitrust agencies to evaluate potential impacts of mergers and acquisitions on labor markets.

Ed. Note: On Sept. 16, 2024, the quote from Wage and Hour District Director David An was revised.

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a federal court judgment requiring 15 gas stations - operating under brands such as BP, Mobil and Sunoco - in Bronx, Nassau and Suffolk counties and their owner and president to pay more than $1 million in back wages and liquidated damages to more than 100 current and former employees in response to a federal investigation. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an initial $800,000 emergency grant award to help fund Georgia’s cleanup and recovery activities in 33 counties following Hurricane Debby. The grant will also enable the state to provide employment and training services to people in the affected communities.

DALLAS – Los cantineros de dos restaurantes del área de Dallas que dependen de buenas propinas a cambio de un excelente servicio recuperarán $197,902 en ganancias después de que investigadores federales descubrieron que el dueño y operador de los establecimientos los obligó ilegalmente a compartir propinas con empleados que no recibían propinas.