ASHEVILLE, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Biltmore Co. – operating as Biltmore Workforce Management Inc. and based in Asheville, North Carolina – has paid $6,938 in back wages to a U.S. applicant for violating labor provisions of the H-2B visa program. The employer also paid a civil penalty of $24,076 assessed by WHD.

COLUMBUS, OH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Good Hands Supported Living LTD – based in Columbus, Ohio – has paid $230,696 in back wages to 74 employees. WHD found the rehabilitation center and home health care agency violated the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) overtime and recordkeeping provisions.

WASHINGTON, DC – In its latest effort to ensure that individuals returning to the labor force from the justice system have the opportunity to gain meaningful employment, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced approximately $85.9 million in Reentry Project grants awarded to 45 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

ST. LOUIS, MO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited R.V. Wagner Inc. – based in Affton, Missouri – for exposing employees to trench engulfment hazards as they installed concrete storm water pipes on Stable Road in St. Louis, Missouri. OSHA proposed penalties of $212,158 for violations of its trench safety standards.

LAFAYETTE, LA – On July 26, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will hold a compliance seminar in Lafayette, Louisiana.

PRYOR, OK – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited HE&M Inc., a Pryor, Oklahoma-based metalworking band saw manufacturer, for exposing employees to fall, machine guarding, struck-by, and electrical hazards. HE&M faces penalties totaling $187,533.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today approved additional funding for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) awarded to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The funding allows for assessing workforce needs in response to Hurricane Florence, which hit the state in September 2018.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for up to $5,600,000 with $1,866,667 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Illinois impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for up to $4,739,794, with $1,579,931 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Indiana impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

WASHINGTON, DC – Furthering the agenda to help America's farmers, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today is posting online a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to solicit public comment on proposed changes to improve the H-2A temporary agricultural labor certification program.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the 27th Secretary of Labor, R. Alexander Acosta, submitted his resignation to President Donald J. Trump, effective Friday, July 19, 2019.

Secretary Acosta's resignation letter is attached.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding up to $8,805,300, with $2,935,100 released initially, for the California Department of Employment Development. Funding will be used to assess workforce needs in response to storms in February and March 2019. These storms brought torrential rains, heavy snow, and wind gusts, resulting in widespread flooding, power outages, and severe infrastructure damage.

SACRAMENTO, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will offer a compliance seminar in Sacramento, California, for contractors, unions, workers, and other interested parties to provide information on the rules governing federal prevailing wage requirements. The event will offer training on labor standards for federally funded construction and federal service contracts.

WHAT: Wage and Hour Division Prevailing Wage Seminar

WHEN: July 23-25, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PDT

In the week ending July 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 209,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 221,000 to 222,000. The 4-week moving average was 219,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 222,250 to 222,500.  

MANCHESTER, NH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), The Collectable Trader LLC – a motorcycle dealer based in Pembroke, New Hampshire – has paid $22,165 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 59 current and former employees to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

KANSAS CITY, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is urging vigilance among employers and employees to address the types of workplace hazards that tend to peak in the summer months.

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Arry's Roofing Services Inc. – a roofing company based in Tarpon Springs, Florida – has paid $75,710 in back wages to 144 employees for violating the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

KISSIMMEE, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Brooks Hospitality Corp. – operator of the Comfort Suites Maingate East in Kissimmee, Florida, and Gemini Global, a Kissimmee-based hotel staffing agency – has paid $64,786 in back wages to 100 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).