WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an $11,646,300 grant to create approximately 641 temporary jobs to continue the clean-up and recovery efforts necessary as a result of the 2008 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Iowa.

"The grant awarded today is a result of the continued need for clean-up and restoration in the counties damaged in Iowa as a result of the 2008 disaster events and the discovery of additional damage," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced 17 grants, totaling more than $7.5 million dollars, to provide approximately 3,000 veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP).

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a second and final increment of a National Emergency Grant, in the amount of $7,933,200, to assist in the continued clean-up and recovery efforts in Texas following Hurricane Ike.

"The state of Texas is still working to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ike in late summer 2008," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This increment will create additional temporary jobs to aid in the state's ongoing clean-up and recovery efforts."

Atlanta – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has obtained a consent judgment and settlement agreement requiring restoration of more than $10,000 to the pension plan of defunct Professional Employee Leasing Inc. of Dadeville, Alabama.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,203,292 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to assist approximately 1,515 Wisconsin workers impacted by automotive industry layoffs and plant closures in Rock County, Wis.

"These workers deserve training and employment services that will allow them to re-enter the workforce," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The department is committed to helping auto workers upgrade existing skills or pursue new careers in promising regional industries."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $2,212,751 to assist state apprenticeship agencies in the development of strategies to better serve dislocated workers and other unemployed individuals through expanded partnerships with the Registered Apprenticeship system, which is administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $13,007,527 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of New Mexico. New Mexico qualified for a portion of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,624,000 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to assist Illinois workers impacted by layoffs and plant closures at 31 companies across the state.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced 10 grants totaling $18,715,780 to fund projects that will support young offenders seeking to enter the workforce. Funding announced today is focused on three areas: 1) young offender re-entry planning grants, 2) juvenile offender implementation grants for state and local government partnerships and 3) one intermediary re-entry grant to an organization with experience in conducting project demonstrations in multiple cities.

NEW YORK — Atlantic Auto Care Center Inc. of Brooklyn; 109th & First Avenue Corp. of Manhattan; 3808 Boston Road Car Wash Inc., 2434 CW Corp. and Boulevard Car Wash of N.Y. Inc., all of the Bronx; Michael's Car Wash Inc. and Howard Beach Car Wash Corp., both of Queens; 613 Car Wash Corp.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced 98 grants, totaling more than $25 million, to provide approximately 15,000 veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).

"This funding will help veterans across the country access the resources they need to find good jobs and build a bright future for themselves and their families," said Secretary Solis.

SAN ANTONIO Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today addressed the annual gathering of the American Society of Safety Engineers. She applauded the efforts of the nation's safety and health professionals, and announced that the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will launch a major construction safety initiative in Texas to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities.

Washington - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today made available the archived webcast of the June 18, 2009 hearing joint hearing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The hearing received testimony from 36 witnesses on issues relating to target date funds and other similar investment options.

San Francisco – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will hold a free workshop July 8 at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, California, to help employers and health and pension plan administrators better understand and comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal law that governs private sector pension and health benefit plans for employees.

Tampa, Florida – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has sued Blanchette Construction and its owners to restore assets to the former company’s 401(k) plan.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of retired Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr., who served as a member of the U.S. Department of Labor's Job Corps Advisory Committee:

"We at the Labor Department are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic deaths of retired Air Force Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. and his wife, Ann, who died in the June 22 Metro subway accident.

"We also want to extend our sincerest condolences to their children, David and Betsy.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 627,000, an increase of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 612,000. The 4-week moving average was 617,250, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average of 616,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 5.0 percent for the week ending June 13, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 5.0 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $5,206,411 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Alaska. Alaska qualified for a portion of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits.

Mondsview, Minnesota – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a judgment in federal district court in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that orders the appointment of an independent fiduciary to terminate the 401(k) plan of a former Mondsview trucking company and to distribute the plan’s assets to participants.

The court action resolves a lawsuit filed by the Labor Department against Hyman Freightways Inc., which ceased operation in October 1997, and will lead to the distribution of $164,251 in plan assets to 14 participants.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $44,644,693 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits.