PHILADELPHIA, PA – A Philadelphia restaurant has agreed to pay 63 workers a total of $197,917 in back wages, and an equal amount in liquidated damages, to resolve alleged federal wage violations, including requiring employees to work unpaid hours. The agreement is part of a proposed consent judgment filed on Oct. 16, 2017, pending review and approval by a federal judge.

WASHINGTON, DC – Following President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order Expanding Apprenticeships in America, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today announced members of the President's Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion. The Task Force—representing companies, trade and industry groups, educational institutions, and labor unions—brings to the table substantial workforce development experience in addressing the nation’s skills gap.

DENVER, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Western Colorado Contractors Association (WCCA) have signed an alliance to provide the western Colorado’s construction industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources.

ERIE, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Pittsburgh-based P.J. Dick Corp. have established a strategic partnership to promote workplace safety and educate workers on construction hazards during construction of a new office building in Erie.

The project, which will build a seven-floor, 340,000-square-foot office building on French Street, will be occupied by Erie Insurance. It is expected to be completed by spring 2020.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement on the President’s Executive Order regarding healthcare:

HOUSTON, TX – The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) have partnered to organize and distribute protective equipment and other resources to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. OSHA offices in Houston and Corpus Christi will work with the ASSE Region III leadership to coordinate donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and distribute information on safety and health issues during recovery efforts.

In the week ending October 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 243,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 2,000 from 260,000 to 258,000. The 4-week moving average was 257,500, a decrease of 9,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 1,250 from 268,250 to 267,000.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on President Donald J. Trump’s speech today on tax reform:

“President Trump continues to make a strong case for pro-growth tax reform that will give a boost to America’s workforce and job creators.  Under President Trump’s framework, miners, makers, and movers—including truckers—will be able to keep more of their paychecks. With a simpler, fairer tax system, Americans will get the level playing field they need to succeed.”

ALLENTOWN, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), PA-OSHA Consultation Program, and HealthWorks’ Safety Peer Group – a consortium of Lehigh Valley area employers – have established an alliance to enhance workplace safety and health.

The alliance will focus on reducing and preventing exposure to ergonomic hazards, environmental health-care conditions, and chemical hazards. Alliance members will also emphasize injury and illness prevention programs and effective safety training.

DALLAS, TX – On Oct. 10, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which had ceased most programmed enforcement actions following Hurricane Harvey, resumed normal enforcement throughout Texas and Louisiana.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta for a mine safety tour of ICG Beckley, LLC’s Pocahontas Beckley Mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Officials from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), which is an agency within the Department of Labor, also participated in the mine safety tour.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today on the Trump Administration’s immigration policy priorities:

“Visa fraud and abuse hurts American workers and, at the same time, hurts foreign workers here legally under federal programs.  The U.S. Department of Labor is focused on combating fraud and abuse of Federal visa programs and is taking every available legal action against those who abuse these programs.  Stopping visa fraud and abuse must also be a priority for Congress.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the September 2017 Employment Situation report:

“Even as parts of our nation recover from multiple devastating hurricanes, September’s jobs report reflects the resilience of the American economy.

In the week ending September 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 260,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 272,000. The 4-week moving average was 268,250, a decrease of 9,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 277,750.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month throughout October. The Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) previously announced the month-long theme is “Inclusion Drives Innovation.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta will attend the G7 Labor and Employment Ministerial meeting taking place in Turin, Italy, today and tomorrow, Sept. 29 and 30.

In the week ending September 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 272,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 259,000 to 260,000. The 4-week moving average was 277,750, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 268,750. This is the highest level for this average since February 6, 2016 when it was 277,750.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the President’s announcement on tax reform today:

“President Donald J. Trump’s tax reform framework is great news for Americans and American job creators. This plan will create a simpler and fairer tax system. American families will keep more of their hard-earned pay, and job creators will have more resources to invest in the American workforce.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded $10.5 million in one-year federal safety and health training grants to 80 nonprofit organizations nationwide. The funding through the Susan Harwood Training Grants Program will provide education and training to help businesses and workers address workplace hazards and adopt best practices for avoiding workplace injuries.

CHICAGO, IL – A Chicago manufacturer of rigid metal, plastic, and hybrid containers faces $503,380 in proposed penalties after inspectors from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) responded to four separate reports of workers suffering injuries at the facility.