In the week ending September 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 203,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 213,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since December 6, 1969 when it was 202,000. The 4-week moving average was 209,500, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 212,250. This is the lowest level for this average since December 6, 1969 when it was 204,500.

SAN JUAN, PR – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has signed agreements with the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, Labor Standards Division (PR-LSD), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (OCPR) to establish collaborative relationships to promote compliance with laws where the agencies have common interests.

WASHINGTON, DC - To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a nationwide initiative to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program in the hotel industry.

BETHEL PARK, PA – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment against Danny's Pizza Enterprises Inc. – a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, quick-service restaurant doing business as Danny's Pizza & Hoagies – following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found the employer violated the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

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

“Today, on Labor Day, we celebrate the accomplishments of the American workforce, a record 156 million strong.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today regarding President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order strengthening retirement security for employees in small and mid-sized businesses:

New Site Will Feature an Apprenticeship Finder Tool and Other Resources

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of a new digital platform, Apprenticeship.gov. This innovative web portal features an Apprenticeship Finder tool that offers career seekers a platform to search for apprenticeships by city, state and occupation, as well as connects job seekers to high-skilled, high-paying careers.

In the week ending August 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 213,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 210,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,250, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 213,750. This is the lowest level for this average since December 13, 1969 when it was 210,750.

ST. JOHNS, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Coastal Roofing Inc. for exposing employees to fall and other hazards at a St. Johns, Florida, worksite. The Jacksonville-based roofing company faces $105,283 in proposed penalties.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta discussed President Trump's efforts to unleash economic opportunity for America's workforce and small businesses in a keynote address at the West Virginia Chamber's 2018 Annual Meeting and Business Summit.

CLINTON, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has debarred Ruben V. Serna – owner of Serna Harvesting, a farm labor contractor – from participation in the H-2A visa program for three years for violations of federal wage and H-2A program requirements. WHD found that Serna owed $194,109 in back wages to 181 employees certified to work at 15 North Carolina farms for which the contractor provides H-2A workers. WHD also assessed Serna a civil money penalty of $174,614 for the violations.

NASHVILLE, TN – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced the U.S. Department of Labor's new Office of Compliance Initiatives (OCI) during a speech today at the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association's 2018 Safety+ National Symposium. Coordinated by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, this cross-agency effort complements the Department's enforcement activities by strengthening and innovating compliance assistance outreach.

LOS ANGELES, CA – Garment contractor SMT Apparel Inc. – based in Los Angeles, California – will pay 40 employees $51,840 after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found that the company failed to pay minimum wage and overtime, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

MILLPORT, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Thorpe Specialty Services Corp. - operating as Thorpe Plant Services Inc. - and Steel Dust Recycling LLC for fall and confined space hazards after an employee was hospitalized following a 30-foot fall at Steel Dust's Millport, Alabama, facility. Thorpe Plant Services faces $175,528 in proposed penalties; Steel Dust's penalties total $28,270.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced today that it has issued six new opinion letters. This release demonstrates the agency's continued commitment to providing meaningful compliance assistance to help employees understand their rights and ensure that employers have the information they need to comply with federal labor laws. The letters released today address compliance under both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Taqueria Chapala Jalisco restaurant – based in San Antonio, Texas – has paid $208,642 to 69 employees to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements found at four of its locations during a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation.

SPOONER, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited fabrication and machining company Spooner Machine Inc. – based in Spooner, Wisconsin – for willful and serious safety violations after an explosion at the facility led to the amputation of an employee's legs. OSHA proposed penalties of $221,168.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division announced today that in the upcoming weeks it will hold public listening sessions to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the “Overtime Rule.”

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Hammers Construction Inc. and Montes Construction LLC after a fatal fall at a Greenwood Village, Colorado, worksite. The companies face proposed penalties of $177,893.

SPRINGFIELD, TN – Appliance manufacturer Electrolux North America Inc. – based in Springfield, Tennessee – has paid a former employee $43,014 in lost wages after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation determined the company violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).