WASHINGTON – In its effort to double the number of Registered Apprenticeship programs nationwide, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today the availability of up to 12 ApprenticeshipUSA Industry Intermediary Contracts to national organizations to start or scale apprenticeship programs that meet the occupational and skill needs of their industries.

In the week ending June 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 268,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 259,000 to 258,000. The 4-week moving average was 266,750, unchanged from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 267,000 to 266,750.

HEBRON, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 57 citations for safety violations to Sunfield Inc., an Ohio auto parts’ manufacturer. The agency has also proposed the company pay more than $3.42 million in total fines for its failure to disconnect machinery from a power supply and prevent sudden movement before maintenance and service, and to train workers in how to operate machine presses safely and to service and maintain them.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that – for the first time since reforms began in 2010 – none of the nation’s more than 13,000 mining operations meets the criteria for a Pattern of Violations notice.

Employer name: Alliance Industries Inc.
Waupaca, Wisconsin

Citations issued: June 27, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Date of Action: June 2, 2016
June 13, 2016

Type of Action: Complaint, consent judgment and order

Name of Defendants: Greater Columbia OB-GYN P.A.
Estate of Dr. Susan Keeshan

BRANSON, Mo. – More than a century ago, a legendary and passionate safety advocate had an extraordinary vision for mine safety. In the early 1900s, mining deaths were practically the rule not the exception. In fact, more than 24,000 coal miners perished in industry accidents between 1900 and 1910.

Employer(s) Name(s): Terrill Manufacturing Company Inc.
A.L. Staffing Inc.

Inspection Site: 2816 Martin Luther King Dr., San Angelo, Texas 76903

Citations issued: June 24, 2016

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered the former owner of Banjo Billy’s Bus Tours to pay a former employee back wages, interest and punitive damages after the agency found he terminated an employee who refused to drive an unsafe tour bus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal lawsuit alleges action taken by fiduciaries resulted in losses exceeding $5.9 million to the Triple T Transport Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan, directly affecting the retirement savings funds of employees of the Lewis Center, Ohio, company and violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

WASHINGTON – Hoping to remove some of the obstacles that Americans with disabilities may face in their search for employment, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $15.6 million in grants intended to increase the participation of youth and adults with disabilities in federally funded education and training programs.

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is deploying assets to flood-impacted West Virginia counties to ensure employers, workers and others engaged in cleanup efforts avoid potential hazards and take steps to protect themselves.

Employer name: MMC Construction LLC

Inspection site: 1470 Taylor Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36117

Citations issued: Citations were issued to the employer on June 24.

ARLINGTON, Va. – On July 1, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration will begin enhanced enforcement of “Rules to Live By,” its initiative of standards commonly cited following mine deaths, and nine underground coal mine exam rule standards focused on the greatest risks to miners in underground coal mines.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a challenge to the department’s Home Care Final Rule:

“The U.S. Department of Labor’s Home Care Final Rule is vital to the nearly two million workers who provide home care services to our loved ones who wish to remain in their homes and communities.

WASHINGTON – What’s next for the 600,000 people released from federal and state prisons annually, millions more leaving county and local jails, and others in danger of falling into the cycle of poverty, crime and incarceration? With the help of $64.5 million in grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor, the answer for some will soon be in-demand skills, access to good jobs and a stronger foundation of support within their communities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S.

WASHINGTON – A pilot program developed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration on how best to provide integrated academic and technical training to economically disadvantaged youth through the Job Corps program will begin operations this fall.

Type of Action: Fair Labor Standards Act Consent Judgment

Defendant(s): Indian Hills Produce Inc. and John Toth

Employers: Lorraine Cerezo Lim doing business as LQC Care Home and Richlee Care Home
Luzviminda Cerezo doing business as White Oaks Manor, Cerezo Residential Care Home and Ross Senior Care Home

Sites: 427 Richlee Drive, Campbell, California
2064 Cherry Ave., San Jose, California
2991 Faircliff Court, San Jose, California
1573 Willow Oaks Drive, San Jose, California
2858 Ross Ave., San Jose, California
1680 White Oaks Ave., Campbell, California
2934 Jessie Court, San Jose, California