SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has entered into a conciliation agreement with BioFire LLC – doing business as BioFire Diagnostics in Salt Lake City, Utah – to resolve allegations that the federal contractor discriminated against applicants for positions at its Salt Lake City facility. 

MANSFIELD, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has entered into a conciliation agreement with Mouser Electronics Inc. – an international distributor of semiconductors and electronic components – to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the availability of $150 million in the H-1B One Workforce Grant Program to invest in training for middle- to high-skilled H-1B occupations within key sectors in the U.S. economy, including information technology and cyber security, advanced manufacturing and transportation, to upskill the present workforce and train a new generation of workers to grow the future workforce. 

In the week ending September 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 870,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 860,000 to 866,000. The 4-week moving average was 878,250, a decrease of 35,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,500 from 912,000 to 913,500.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina to discuss the economic recovery during the coronavirus pandemic. Secretary Scalia toured Machine Specialties, Inc. and met with company leadership, employees, and apprentices to discuss economic recovery and building a stronger workforce through apprenticeships.

WASHINGTON, DC – As a critical part of the Administration’s efforts to expand access to in-demand job opportunities, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has recognized an initial 18 organizations as Standards Recognition Entities (SREs) to oversee the development of high-quality Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a proposed rule clarifying the definition of employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as it relates to independent contractors.

MOBILE, AL – The operator of a Smoothie King franchise in Mobile, Alabama, has paid $918 in back wages to seven employees after wrongly denying them emergency paid sick leave. The seven employees took leave while some sought medical diagnosis for suspected coronavirus infection and others followed orders to self-quarantine due to coronavirus exposure at the workplace.

NEW HAMPTON, IA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Precision of New Hampton Inc. – based in New Hampton, Iowa – will pay 150 employees a total of $279,505 in back wages for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

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:

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) has selected Eightfold.ai, a Mountain View, California-based software solution provider, as the grand prize recipient of its competition to build an application to better match transitioning military service members’ skills with employers’ needs.

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges response crews and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Sally to be aware of hazards created by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees and storm debris.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where he joined Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) to highlight workforce development and apprenticeships. The Secretary and Congressman toured Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and held a roundtable discussion with educators and manufacturers. Secretary Scalia and Congressman Guthrie also visited Summit Polymers to meet with employees and tour the facility.

DALLAS, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Microsoft Corp. U.S. have entered into an early resolution conciliation agreement (ERCA) to resolve alleged hiring discrimination practices at its facilities in Irving, Texas; Redmond, Washington; New York, New York; and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of registered apprenticeships, and increase participation by business leaders and job seekers nationwide.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded approximately $11.2 million in Susan Harwood federal safety and health training grants to 90 nonprofit organizations nationwide.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio to discuss economic recovery, workplace safety, and the steps needed to develop a skilled, dynamic workforce. Secretary Scalia visited Consolidated Metals, where he met company leadership and employees and discussed the economic re-opening. Additionally, Secretary Scalia visited Great Oaks which specializes in career and technical education for both high school students and adults.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Government, through efforts of the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, signed an updated bilateral cooperative agreement with Guatemala to facilitate increased transparency, accountability and worker safety in the H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs for temporary workers from Guatemala.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in states affected by Hurricane Sally.

In response to the anticipated needs of those living in states in the path of Hurricane Sally, the Department and its agencies are taking the following actions: