WASHINGON, DC – The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury today issued a proposed rule to amend the requirements for grandfathered group health plans and grandfathered group health insurance coverage to preserve their grandfather status.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to discuss the continued re-opening of the economy and to highlight the importance of workplace safety during the re-opening. Secretary Scalia participated in a roundtable discussion with local business and civic leaders, and visited Crowley Maritime, where he met with company executives and employees.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s Executive Order establishing the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative:

“President Trump promised to support American workers of all backgrounds, and to open new pathways to good paying careers. This Executive Order, establishing the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative, will expand access to education and the skills needed to work jobs in growing sectors of the economy.

MOBILE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Miller & Co. Inc. for failing to protect employees from struck-by hazards after a worker was fatally injured at the company’s Selma, Alabama, facility. The lumber and flooring manufacturer faces $218,192 in penalties.

In the week ending July 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 1,314,000, a decrease of 99,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 14,000 from 1,427,000 to 1,413,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,437,250, a decrease of 63,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 3,500 from 1,503,750 to 1,500,250.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a new poster listing safety tips employers can follow to help protect meat packing, poultry and pork workers from exposure to coronavirus.

COLUMBUS, OH ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Jerry Turnbaugh – a roofing contractor based in Dublin, Ohio – for exposing employees to falls at three separate residential home sites in Pickerington, Ohio. Turnbaugh faces penalties of $148,430 for five willful safety violations.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the availability of $40 million in Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants to expand community colleges’ ability to meet labor market demand for a skilled workforce.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the awarding of $90,992,062 through two grant programs, Pathway Home and the Young Adult Reentry Partnership (YARP), focused on assisting justice-involved individuals in gaining meaningful employment. U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, today to make the announcement with Pathway Home grant awardee Volunteers of America of Massachusetts.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released coronavirus-related guidance to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus for oil and gas workers.  

MISSION, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), FELMEX LLC – a tortilla factory with four locations in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley – has paid $61,875 in overtime back wages to 46 employees to resolve violations of the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

NEW ORLEANS, LA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD,) L Squared Investment Group LLC – owner and operator of Morrow’s Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana – has paid $35,620 in back wages to 65 employees for violating the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

HOUSTON, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Alpha Technical Services (ATS) – doing business as Quala Rail and Specialty in Pasadena, Texas – for exposing employees to confined space hazards after two employees were fatally overcome by fumes while cleaning a tank trailer. The company faces $499,134 in penalties.

GREENCASTLE, PA – A compliance action by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has led Mitchell Machine Shop – based in Greencastle, Pennsylvania – to grant paid sick leave and pay back wages to an employee who requested leave to provide child care due to a coronavirus-related school closing. The agency determined that the employee was entitled to receive paid leave at two-thirds their regular rate of pay for up to 12 weeks under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

SAN JOSE, CA – After a routine compliance evaluation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Mphasis Corp. – a technology services company and federal contractor based in San Jose, California – has agreed to pay $171,300 in lost wages to resolve allegations of discriminating against white applicants at its facility.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has undertaken a public service messaging effort to remind workers that the agency is committed to ensuring their safety and health during the coronavirus pandemic.

FORT WORTH, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor and TTI Inc. – a federal contractor that manufactures and distributes electronic components – have entered into a conciliation agreement to resolve alleged hiring discrimination at two of its Fort Worth, Texas, locations.

LUBBOCK, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), West End Futures LLC - operator of a Chick-fil-A franchise in Lubbock, Texas - has paid $12,510 in back wages to 184 employees for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime requirements.

PRAIRIE GROVE, AR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Specialty Fastening Systems Inc. – doing business as Specialty Nail Company in Prairie Grove, Arkansas – has paid $111,895 in back wages to 260 employees to resolve violations of the overtime and anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

CHICAGO, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Company for violations of OSHA’s machine safety standards after employees suffered severe injuries in two separate incidents at the Bellwood, Illinois, facility. The company faces $485,008 in penalties, and OSHA has placed them in the agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.