ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced today it is seeking data on technologies that can improve safety conditions for America's miners. MSHA's Request for Information (RFI) focuses on reducing accidents involving mobile equipment at surface mines, and belt conveyors at surface and underground mines. The RFI is available today at the Federal Register, which will publish it on June 26, 2018.

WEST ORANGE, NJ – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Elias and Katia LLC – owner of a West Orange, New Jersey, Exxon gas station – has paid $132,735 in back wages to 13 attendants to resolve violations of the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

MADISON, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), engineering company AECOM, the Wisconsin Onsite Consultation Program, and the Southern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council have signed a strategic partnership to promote worker safety and health during expansion of the Riverside Energy Center in Beloit.

LEBANON, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited JK Excavating & Utilities Inc. after an employee suffered fatal injuries in a trench collapse. OSHA has proposed penalties of $202,201, and placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

SAN DIEGO, CA – A San Diego Chuck E. Cheese restaurant will pay $3,928 in penalties after investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the restaurant employed minors in violation of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the U.S. Department of Labor announced the appointments of five new members as well as chair and vice chair to the 2018 Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council.

In the week ending June 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 218,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 3,000 from 218,000 to 221,000. The 4-week moving average was 221,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 224,250 to 225,000.

NAPLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Douglas N. Higgins Inc., a South Florida utility contractor, for exposing employees to cave-in and other hazards at a Naples worksite. The company faces $18,659 in proposed penalties.

JACKSON, TN – The U.S. Department of Labor and Tennessee faucet manufacturer Delta Faucet Co. have reached a settlement to resolve alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) after the company terminated an employee for exercising his right to take time off to care for a family member. Delta Faucet Co. has paid the former employee $50,000 in back wages and liquidated damages.

IRON RIVER, MI – The U.S. Department of Labor has found Michigan ski resort Ski Brule Inc. in violation of the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program and the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) after an investigation by the Department's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under the terms of the consent findings and settlement agreement approved by an administrative law judge, Ski Brule Inc.

BRIDGEPORT, WV – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia has ordered Fire & Safety Investigation Consulting Services LLC, based in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and its owner Christopher Harris to pay 70 employees $817,902 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages.

BILLINGS, MT – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Montana Contractor Compensation Fund (MCCF) have signed an alliance to protect employees from construction industry hazards. MCCF is a group insurance company formed by the Montana Contractors Association to help control workers' compensation costs.

AMARILLO, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Carniceria La Popular Inc. has paid $34,319 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to resolve overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). WHD also assessed $5,750 in civil money penalties for child labor violations.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is helping millions of working Americans gain access to quality, affordable health insurance for themselves and their families.

Many small businesses and their employees have struggled with government restrictions that limit access to quality, affordable health coverage. This Association Health Plan (AHP) reform will address many of the inequities between small and large businesses in access to that coverage.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of Apprenticeship.gov.

NEW YORK, NY – Following a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation and federal court trial, four restaurants operating under the name Gina La Fornarina and their owner Paola Pedrignani have paid $363,284 in back wages and liquidated damages to 109 employees, resolving violations of overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In the week ending June 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 218,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 222,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,250, a decrease of 1,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 225,500.

CHARLESTON, WV – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia has ordered six restaurants in West Virginia and Ohio and their owners to pay $111,024 in back wages and damages to 27 employees after the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations. The court also imposed a $20,150 civil money penalty.

VIDALIA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has revoked the certificate of registration for farm labor contractor J.C. Longoria Castro and debarred him from applying for H-2A certification for three years for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA). WHD also found he violated labor provisions of the H-2A visa program at worksites in Georgia and Wisconsin.

SAN DIEGO, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the owners of Adriana Elderly Care Homes Inc. will pay $86,486 to 19 employees to resolve overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company – based in Mission Viejo, California – operates four facilities for elderly patients and others with mental disabilities.