July 20, 2021

US Department of Labor announces $10M funding opportunity to support efforts to enhance resolution of labor disputes in Mexico

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $10 million in grant funding to improve the resolution of labor disputes in Mexico. The project seeks to increase the effectiveness of conciliation mechanisms to resolve labor disputes in support of Mexico’s 2019 landmark labor reform.

July 19, 2021

Federal inspection finds El Paso metal stamping manufacturer willfully exposed workers to amputation dangers; worker suffers severe injury

EL PASO, TX – An El Paso metal stamping manufacturer with a history of workplace safety violations failed again to protect its workers from the dangers of moving machine parts. As a result, a worker suffered the amputation of two fingers inside a 500-ton hydraulic press.  

July 19, 2021

US Department of Labor seeks Guam building, residential, heavy and highway construction industries’ input for wage survey

HAGATNA, GUAM – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division is asking Guam’s building, residential, heavy and highway construction employers to help the agency establish accurate rates and complete wage determination by participating in a prevailing wage survey.

July 19, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $158K for 19 police employees after investigation finds City of East St. Louis failed to pay overtime

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL – After a long shift patrolling the streets of East St. Louis together, the city’s K-9 unit police officers returned home and groomed, fed and cared for their trusted furry, four-legged partners. While these officers are legally entitled to be paid for this additional work, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has found the City of East St.

July 19, 2021

US Department of Labor cites three employers for exposing workers, residents to asbestos at Missouri residential care facility

MONETT, MO – Three employers at a Missouri residential nursing facility exposed workers and residents to asbestos hazards and failed to ensure safe removal of the known carcinogen during a flooring replacement project, a federal workplace safety inspection alleges.

July 19, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $17K in back wages for 20 equipment rental company workers paid straight time for overtime work

DEDEDO, GUAM – Heavy equipment operators often work long hard days outdoors to meet deadlines and complete projects on schedule. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division exists to ensure that their employers pay them the wages they have legally earned, and takes action when they do not.

July 19, 2021

US Department of Labor awards $816K incremental funding to continue employment, training services to combat Massachusetts’ opioid crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $816,675 in incremental funding to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support job creation and workforce training services in eight areas affected significantly by widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.

July 16, 2021

Federal court orders Chicago-area company to pay whistleblower $95K in back wages after US Department of Labor investigation

NORTHBROOK, IL – A federal court has approved the settlement of a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration whistleblower investigation that determined a Northbrook waste management company violated federal law when it retaliated against a former truck driver who reported a workplace injury and raised concerns to the company that an unrepaired truck was unsafe to operate.

July 16, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $280K for 36 workers of Medford restaurant that withheld cash, credit card tips; failed to pay overtime

MEDFORD, OR – Diners at Misoya Bistro in Medford were likely unaware that, for nearly two years, the owner was withholding nearly all of their workers’ tips.

July 16, 2021

US Department of Labor announces $3M funding opportunity to strengthen enforcement of labor standards in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $3 million in grant funding to support progress on labor standards, including occupational safety and health, hours of work and wages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

July 15, 2021

Colorado court sentences Avon construction company owner to jail, orders restitution for family of worker killed in Granby trench collapse

AVON, CO – A Colorado state court has sentenced the owner of an Avon construction company to jail and ordered restitution for the family of a 50-year-old company worker who suffered fatal injuries in a preventable trench collapse at a Granby work site in June 2018.

July 15, 2021

Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. recuerda a los empleadores del Pacífico Noroeste que protejan a los trabajadores contra los peligros del calor

SEATTLE – Con la subida de las temperaturas en Washington, Oregón y Idaho, la Administración de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional del Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. recuerda a los empleadores que protejan a sus trabajadores expuestos a temperaturas de calor extremo.

July 15, 2021

US Department of Labor reminds Pacific Northwest employers to protect workers from the dangers of heat illness

SEATTLE – As temperatures rise in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration reminds employers to protect their employees when they work in hot weather.

OSHA’s message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade. To protect their employees, employers should:

July 15, 2021

US Department of Labor files suit against North Texas dental practice, owners for retaliation against employees who reported coronavirus concerns

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor has taken legal action against two North Texas dentists on behalf of a dental hygienist and a dental assistant who were not reinstated after expressing concerns about what coronavirus safety measures would be in place when the practice reopened in spring 2020.  

July 15, 2021

US Department of Labor announces more than $92M in funding for training, employment services, wage subsidies for workers harmed by foreign trade

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $92.6 million in funding to 47 states to provide training and employment services to eligible workers affected adversely by foreign trade.

July 15, 2021

Lakeland roofing contractor pays more than $51K in back wages, penalties after US Department of Labor uncovers overtime, child labor violations

LAKELAND, FL – Piece-rate pay practices make workers’ paychecks solely dependent on the amount of work produced, regardless of how many hours are worked. When using these practices, however, employers must still comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act and record all hours worked, pay minimum wage and overtime when applicable.

July 15, 2021

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending July 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 360,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 13,000 from 373,000 to 386,000. The 4-week moving average was 382,500, a decrease of 14,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since March 14, 2020 when it was 225,500. The previous week's average was revised up by 2,500 from 394,500 to 397,000.

July 14, 2021

US Department of Labor cites contractor after investigation into fatal Huntsville trench collapse finds willful, serious safety failures

HUNTSVILLE, ALOn Jan. 15 an employee of a Huntsville contracting company entered a trench greater than 5 feet in depth to work on underground utility pipes.

July 14, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $67K in back wages after finding Fayetteville Days Inn franchisee shorted workers’ pay

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Hotels commonly pay housekeepers on a piece-rate basis, often basing their pay on the number of rooms they cleaned or tasks they accomplished. When that approach allows workers’ wages to fall below the federal minimum wage, the employer has violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.

July 13, 2021

US Department of Labor, other federal departments issue Business Advisory for Xinjiang, China

WASHINGTON, DC In collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Labor today issued an updated Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory.