March 16, 2017

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending March 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 241,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 243,000. The 4-week moving average was 237,250, an increase of 750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 236,500.

March 10, 2017

Massachusetts sewing factory reaches settlement agreement with US Labor Department

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor and UnWrapped, Inc. have reached a settlement agreement that will allow employees of the Massachusetts sewing factory to recover $890,021 in back wages and liquidated damages to resolve past violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

March 9, 2017

US Labor Department announces the availability of nearly $500K in grants to help Native Hawaiians, Alaska Native youth develop STEM job skills

What: The U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of $497,000 in funding to serve Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Native youth and young adults, ages 14-24, to develop skills needed for high-growth, in-demand occupations and industries.

These grants are designed specifically to provide skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields. They aim to increase Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native enrollment in STEM-related certificate and degree programs, as well as provide education mentoring programs and work experience in STEM-related professions.

March 9, 2017

US Labor Department announces availability of funding to provide job, leadership skills to disadvantaged youth

WASHINGTON – For many of our nation’s at-risk youth, getting educated and starting a successful career are goals often out of reach. Across the U.S., YouthBuild programs seek to help these young people reach their full potential by providing critical job skills in construction to help propel them towards professional success.

March 9, 2017

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending March 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 243,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 223,000. The 4-week moving average was 236,500, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 234,250.

March 8, 2017

OSHA urges recovery workers, employers and public to safeguard themselves against hazards in storm cleanup

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As residents recover from the damage caused by the recent tornadoes and severe storms in Missouri and Kansas, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges recovery workers, employers and the public to use caution during cleanup and recovery efforts. The agency urges all to be aware of hazards they may encounter, and steps needed to to stay safe and healthy.

March 7, 2017

US Labor Department awards nearly $700K in incremental funding to continue helping Iowa workers affected by John Deere layoffs

State: Iowa

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Incremental Amount Awarded: $691,693

Total Funds Awarded to Date: $1,728,979

Funding Awarded to: Iowa Workforce Development

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 650

March 2, 2017

Partnership to focus on safety at Amherst College construction project

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—Barr & Barr Inc., a construction management company, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have signed a strategic partnership to enhance workplace safety and health during the construction of Amherst College’s New Science Center.

March 2, 2017

Resources available for former Amarillo, Texas’ Pantex plant workers

WASHINGTON – Former Pantex plant workers in Amarillo, Texas, may qualify as part of a new worker Special Exposure Cohort class that will simplify filing of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act claims.

March 2, 2017

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending February 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 223,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 31, 1973 when it was 222,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 2,000 from 244,000 to 242,000. The 4-week moving average was 234,250, a decrease of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 14, 1973 when it was 232,750. The previous week's average was revised down by 500 from 241,000 to 240,500.

March 1, 2017

US Labor Department proposes extension to fiduciary rule applicability date

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a proposed extension of the applicability dates of the fiduciary rule and related exemptions, including the Best Interest Contract Exemption, from April 10 to June 9, 2017.

March 1, 2017

US Labor Department proposes delay to beryllium rule effective date

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a proposed delay in the effective date of the rule entitled Occupational Exposure to Beryllium, from March 21, 2017, to May 20, 2017.

February 28, 2017

Department announces the availability of $12M in grants to help veterans overcome homelessness, secure employment

What: The U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of approximately $12 million in funding from the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program to provide America’s military veterans with job-driven training for in-demand jobs to help them attain good civilian jobs and transition successfully from homelessness to sustainable housing. Homeless veterans may receive occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services.

February 27, 2017

Cascades Job Corps Academy accepting applications

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. – The Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy in Sedro-Woolley is now accepting enrollment applications.  A demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, the academy will provide students with opportunities to earn college credits and industry-recognized credentials in health care and information technology.

February 23, 2017

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending February 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 244,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 239,000 to 238,000. The 4-week moving average was 241,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since July 21, 1973 when it was 239,500. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 245,250 to 245,000.

February 22, 2017

OSHA, Allied Construction Industries renew partnership to train, protect nearly 30K Ohio construction workers

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, and Allied Construction Industries, a trade association representing more than 500 member companies.

February 22, 2017

US Labor Department grant to help displaced Kentucky coal industry workers

State: Kentucky

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Award Amount Approved: $1,989,194

Initial Amount Released: $1,091,153

Funding Awarded to: Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 175

February 16, 2017

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending February 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 239,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 234,000. The 4-week moving average was 245,250, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 244,250 to 244,750.

February 15, 2017

MSHA to award up to $1M in grants for mine safety education, training

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today the availability of up to $1 million in grants for education and training programs to help identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around the nation’s mines.