WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

WEST COVINA, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor will offer a webinar on June 9, 2020, – in Spanish – for garment industry employees and employers in Southern California on the impacts of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited CJM Roofing Inc. – based in West Palm, Florida – for exposing employees to fall and other hazards at three residential worksites in Jensen Beach and Port St. Lucie, Florida. The contractor faces penalties totaling $199,711.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Bureau. This centennial celebration is a recognition of the only federal agency focused exclusively on working women.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on the May 2020 Employment Situation report:

COVINGTON, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a conciliation agreement with Oldcastle Building Envelope Inc., a federal government contractor that supplies building materials – in which the employer will pay $300,000 in back wages and interest to eligible class members to resolve hiring discrimination allegations at the company’s Covington, Georgia facility.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that three finalists chosen to build an application to better match transitioning service members’ skills with employers needs will begin field testing on June 22, 2020.

In the week ending May 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 1,877,000, a decrease of 249,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 3,000 from 2,123,000 to 2,126,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,284,000, a decrease of 324,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 2,608,000 to 2,608,750.

MINOOKA, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the Minooka Grain, Lumber and Supply Company for grain-handling safety violations after corn engulfed an employee clearing clumps in a grain storage bin. First responders were able to rescue the worker. The company faces $69,010 in penalties.

MINOOKA, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the Minooka Grain, Lumber and Supply Company for grain-handling safety violations after corn engulfed an employee clearing clumps in a grain storage bin. First responders were able to rescue the worker. The company faces $69,010 in penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today issued an Information Letter under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) concerning private equity investments as a component of a professionally managed asset allocation fund offered as an investment option for participants in defined contribution plans. 

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the retirement of Department of Labor Inspector General Scott Dahl.

“For seven years, Scott Dahl has helped improve the integrity and quality of the Department of Labor’s programs. The Department and the people it serves have benefited greatly from his contributions. We wish Scott and his family the very best in the future.”

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued guidance that includes recommended actions to protect agriculture workers from exposure to the coronavirus.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert listing safety tips employers can follow to protect stockroom and loading dock workers in the retail industry from exposure to the coronavirus. 

Safety measures employers can implement include:

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia signed a new Secretary’s Order regarding debt management at the U.S. Department of Labor. The Secretary’s Order will centralize the debt management activities across the Department under the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), while keeping existing mission-driven authorities and activities within the respective agencies. In so doing, the order will enhance both deterrence and the effectiveness of Department programs.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Mooresville, North Carolina, where he joined business leaders for a roundtable discussion on reopening the economy safely. Secretary Scalia also toured a local Lowe’s store, met with frontline employees and discussed the reopening process with Lowe’s leadership team.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that Samantha Thomas, an Associate Regional Solicitor in its Office of the Solicitor, received an Arthur S. Flemming Award for Legal Achievement for her efforts to recover $5,867,536 in back wages for 1,562 coal miners and other mine employees in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Wyoming.

PANAMA CITY, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited two Florida construction contractors – CMR Construction & Roofing LLC of Panama City, Florida, and Modern Construction Experts LLC of Stuart, Florida – for failing to protect employees from fall hazards at a construction worksite in Panama City, Florida. The two companies face $126,169 in penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

NORTH BRANCH, MN – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has led the City of North Branch, Minnesota, to pay $1,696 in back wages to an employee denied paid sick leave after her healthcare provider recommended a 14-day quarantine for reasons related to coronavirus.