SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Dell EMC that requires the company to pay more than $2.9 million in back wages to remedy alleged pay discrimination violations at four Dell EMC locations in California and North Carolina. Headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Dell EMC is a federal contractor providing computing, networking, and data storage solutions.  

HOUSTON TX – Bernie’s Bellaire LLC and Bernie’s Katy LLC - doing business as Bernie’s Burger Bus - will pay $62,754 to settle overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). The companies operate three locations in the Houston area.

RALEIGH, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina has ordered Thomas E. Beverly Sr. - former owner of the House of Lights Inc. - to pay restitution totaling $1,639,983 to the company’s profit-sharing plan. In addition to the restoration of funds, which includes lost earnings of $331,121 through mid-September 2018, Beverly will pay a successor fiduciary to handle remittance of this restitution to plan beneficiaries.

ALBANY, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited New Windsor-based Verla International LTD, and proposed fines of $281,220 for failing to protect its employees from dangerous chemicals, and other hazards.

HUNTSVILLE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited All Power Construction Corp. and staffing agency Labor Finders of Tennessee Inc. after a temporary employee installing sewer lines suffered a fatal injury in a trench collapse. All Power Construction Corp. faces $139,684 in proposed penalties and Labor Finders of Tennessee Inc. faces the maximum allowed $12,934 in proposed penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald J. Trump’s Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion today submitted a report to the President providing a strategy to create more apprenticeships in the United States through an Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship model.

Members of the Task Force – representing business, labor, trade and industry groups, educational institutions, and public officials – approved the report during their fifth and final full meeting.

COOKEVILLE, TN – The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Northeastern Division, has ordered eastern Tennessee eye care company Eye Centers of Tennessee LLC, its owner Dr. Larry E. Patterson, and its office administrator Raymond K. Mays to pay $971,622 in restitution to the company’s 401(k) profit-sharing plan after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) found violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

STANTONSBURG, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has revoked the farm labor contractor certificate of registration for Marisa Garcia-Pineda and has debarred the contractor for three years because of violations of federal laws related to wages and worker protections. WHD found that Garcia-Pineda owed $195,735 in back wages to 287 employees while working at Ham Farms in Snow Hill, North Carolina. In addition to the farm labor registration revocation and H-2A debarment, WHD also assessed the company a civil money penalty of $321,400.

ST. LOUIS, MO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the PARIC Corp. have formed a partnership to promote employee safety and health during construction of the 550,000-square foot Ballpark Village Projects. The project includes residential, office, retail, restaurant, and entertainment space near the St. Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has again cited Hua Da Construction in Philadelphia for exposing employees to dangerous workplace safety hazards. OSHA proposed penalties of $222,152.

SHOEMAKERSVILLE, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has certified Glen-Gery Brick’s Mid-Atlantic Plant as a “Star” worksite in the Agency’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), the highest level of recognition for workplace safety and health excellence.

Over the past three years, the Shoemakersville brick manufacturer recorded an injury and illness rate 21 percent below the industry’s national average.

PLAINS, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Midvale Paper Box Co. after inspectors found employees exposed to safety hazards during a follow-up investigation at the Luzerne County employer. OSHA has proposed penalties of $201,212.

SPANISH FORK, UT – The U.S. District Court for the District of Utah has ordered Kyco Services LLC and its owner Kyle Morris to pay $550,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 267 employees for willfully violating the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The court also ordered the drywall company to pay $100,000 in civil money penalties.

KINGSPORT, TN – Kingsport, Tennessee, automobile dealership Rick Hill Imports Inc. has paid $58,739 in back wages to 20 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the company violated minimum wage and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In the week ending May 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 211,000, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised level of 211,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,000, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 221,500. This is the lowest level for this average since December 20, 1969 when it was 214,500.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s Executive Order to increase job opportunities for military spouses:

DENVER, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited DCP Midstream LP and Complete Energy Services Inc. after two employees suffered fatal burns from a fire at a gas pipeline in Weld County.

WINTER GARDEN, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, JJB Food Corp. has paid $15,264 in back wages to 13 employees for violating minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). WHD also assessed the Winter Garden, Florida, grocery store a civil penalty of $1,308 for child labor violations.

HARTFORD, CT – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has resulted in the payment of $125,348 in back wages to 14 employees of Gilliam Co. LLC who performed hangar renovation work in Massachusetts, at the U.S. Coast Guard Base in Bourne and at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield.

PHOENIX, AZ – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, California-based discount retailer 99 Cents Only Stores LLC will pay $273,254 to 125 employees in 39 of its Arizona stores for wage and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).