WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to Workforce West Virginia for up to up to $10,000,000, with $3,333,333 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in West Virginia impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

TROY, MI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found violations of the labor provisions of the H-1B visa program, Populus Group – based in Troy, Michigan – will pay $1,145,256 in back wages to 594 employees.

The H-1B visa program permits American employers to employ nonimmigrants to work temporarily in specialized occupations in the U.S when they cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce.

NASHVILLE, TN – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Capstone Pediatrics PLLC – a Nashville, Tennessee-based pediatric clinic enterprise – will pay $92,510 in back wages to 31 employees for violating the overtime, minimum wage, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SIMPSONVILLE, SC – LCV Jalisco Inc. – a restaurant based in Simpsonville, South Carolina – has paid $92,670 in back wages to nine employees after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the employer violated the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WAYNESVILLE, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Vandelay Stone Tops Inc. – a granite and quartz countertop installation company based in Waynesville, North Carolina – has paid $23,348 in back wages and liquidated damages to 13 employees for violations of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

JACKSON, GA – Buckner's Family Restaurant LLC – a family restaurant based in Jackson, Georgia – has paid $100,326 in back wages and liquidated damages to 26 employees after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the employer violated the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

TAMPA, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has debarred Pro-Fit Development Inc. – a development, construction, and roofing contractor based in Tampa, Florida – after an investigation found the employer violated requirements of the Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA). Debarment prohibits the employer from bidding on federally funded construction projects for three years.

In the week ending May 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 215,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 211,000 to 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,750, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 220,250 to 220,500.  

SPANISH FORK, UT – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Leggings Live – operating as Legg-A-Licious – has paid a total of $84,048 in back wages, liquidated damages, and penalties to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at the company's Spanish Fork, Utah, facility.

MACON, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a combined 22 citations to Kumho Tire Georgia Inc., Sae Joong Mold Inc., and J-Brothers Inc. after a follow-up inspection found safety and health hazards at the tire manufacturing facility in Macon, Georgia. The three companies collectively face $523,895 in proposed penalties.

NAPLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited four Florida-based residential construction contractors for exposing employees to safety hazards at a Naples, Florida, worksite. The four companies received 12 citations collectively, totaling $220,114 in proposed penalties.

BILLINGS, MT – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with Layton Construction Company LLC to promote worker safety and health during construction of a new addition to the Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman, Montana.

SAN DIEGO, CA –  O-Fire Corp. – operating as Onami Seafood Buffet in San Diego, California – will pay $29,992 in back wages and liquidated damages to two employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today regarding Memorial Day:

“On Memorial Day, Americans pause to honor and remember the courage, dedication, and patriotism of those who gave their lives to defend our nation in their service. We are eternally grateful for their ultimate sacrifice. Because of their courageous actions in battle, we are blessed with cherished freedoms that will forever be passed on from generation to generation.”

HOUSTON, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Custom Rubber Products LLC – based in Houston, Texas – for failing to properly guard machinery and exposing employees to severe injury and amputation hazards. The company faces $530,392 in fines, the maximum penalty allowable by law.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Labor accepted a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stating the USDA's Forest Service will withdraw from operating Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers (CCC). This action creates an opportunity to serve a greater number of students at higher performing centers at a lower cost to taxpayers by modernizing and reforming part of the Job Corps program.  

DES MOINES, IA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has renewed an alliance with the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Division of Labor Services, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union #55 to address safety and health hazards in the electrical industry.

COLUMBUS, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor will host two town hall meetings to discuss the benefits available to current and former nuclear weapons workers from covered facilities, and their families, under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today approved Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding up to $8,828,533, with $2,942,844 released initially, for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The funding assists with the assessment of workforce needs in response to record-breaking rainfall that caused extreme flooding and embankment failures, along with extensive damage to critical roads and culverts. Severe storms battered Ohio from February 5 through 13, 2019, affecting nearly one third of the state.

In the week ending May 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 211,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 220,250, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 225,000.