September 1, 2010

US Department of Labors OSHA cites Houston manufacturing company for hiding work-related injuries and illnesses; fines exceed $1.2 million

HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued Goodman Manufacturing Co. LP 83 willful citations for failing to record and improperly recording work-related injuries and illnesses at the company's Houston air conditioning cooling facility. Proposed penalties total $1,215,000.

September 1, 2010

US Department of Labor unveils 1st-ever Labor Day video

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today posted online its first-ever Labor Day video. This year, instead of giving the traditional "State of the American Worker" Labor Day speech in front of a small group, Secretary Solis has recorded a video both in English and Spanish highlighting the department's support of and commitment to the American worker. By harnessing the power of technology, she is able to speak directly to all American workers.

August 31, 2010

US Department of Labor announces final rule for Senior Community Service Employment Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a final rule regarding the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The final rule strengthens program aspects that will benefit unemployed, low-income older Americans who want to enter or re-enter the workforce. The rule will be effective on Oct.1.

August 31, 2010

US Labor Department sues owner of defunct Montana trucking companies to restore assets to two SIMPLE IRA plans

BOULDER, Mont.—The U. S. Department of Labor has sued the owner of M.S. Molitor Trucking Inc. and M.D. Service LLC of Boulder, Mont., for failure to timely deposit $144,398.49 in delinquent employee contributions owed to the company’s SIMPLE IRA plans in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The companies ceased operations as of Dec. 1, 2008.

August 30, 2010

US Department of Labor provides more than $938,000 to assist Kentuckys recovery from severe storms

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $938,441 National Emergency Grant award to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms, flooding, and mudslides that struck Kentucky in July 2010.

"A number of Kentuckians saw their jobs and livelihood swept away by these terrible storms," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will support ongoing recovery efforts and help Kentucky tackle the challenges left behind by the floodwaters and mudslides."

August 30, 2010

US Labor Departments Office of Disability Employment Policy announces nearly $1 million in continued funding for youth center

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced that it will exercise the second option year of its cooperative agreement with the Institute for Educational Leadership and award an additional $999,926 to continue funding the Youth Technical Assistance Center through the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth.

August 30, 2010

US Labor Department proposes amending procedures for filing and processing prohibited transaction exemptions under ERISA

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a proposed regulation to update the procedure for filing and processing applications for exemptions from the prohibited transaction provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The proposed regulation is published in the August 30 edition of the Federal Register.

August 30, 2010

U.S. Labor Department sues San Jose firm and owner to recover workers' retirement assets

San Jose, California – The U. S. Department of Labor sued Mili Group Inc. of San Jose, and its owner for allegedly misusing retirement plan assets for their own benefit, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

August 26, 2010

ETA Press Release: Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Aug. 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 473,000, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 504,000. The 4-week moving average was 486,750, an increase of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 483,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Aug. 14, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's revised rate of 3.6 percent.

August 26, 2010

US Department of Labor announces $1,352,000 grant to assist workers in Iowa affected by manufacturing industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,352,776 grant to assist about 450 workers affected by layoffs at Electrolux in Jefferson and Webster City, Iowa and three of its suppliers in Ames and Webster City, Iowa.

"No worker should have to go it alone when facing a layoff," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This funding will allow hundreds of Iowans impacted by layoffs at Electrolux to access training and employment services that will lead to good jobs in promising industries."

August 26, 2010

US Department of Labor announces Notice of Proposed Rule Making addressing goals and requirements of YouthBuild program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a Notice of Proposed Rule Making regarding the department's YouthBuild program. The YouthBuild Transfer Act was signed into law in September 2006, transferring the administration of the YouthBuild program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Department of Labor. The NPRM seeks to clarify the requirements of the Transfer Act for YouthBuild program providers and participants.

August 26, 2010

US Labor Department reaches $6 billion in benefits paid under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has paid more than $6 billion in compensation and medical benefits to more than 61,400 claimants nationwide under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. This milestone coincides with the 9th anniversary of the Labor Department's administration of the EEOICPA, which assists employees who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry.

August 26, 2010

US Department of Labor recovers more than $433,000 in back wages for Walt Disney World employees

ORLANDO, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has recovered $433,819 in back wages owed to 69 employees of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. in Orlando, Fla. The company agreed to make the payments following an investigation that uncovered violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

August 26, 2010

U.S. Department of Labor publishes agenda for September 14-15 joint hearing on lifetime income options for retirement plans

Washington — Today the U. S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) released the agenda for the upcoming joint hearing with the Department of the Treasury on lifetime income options for retirement plans. Accompanying the agenda are copies of the witnesses’ requests to testify and testimony outlines. The hearing begins at 9:00 a.m. (EST) on September 14 and 15, 2010. The hearing will be held in the Labor Department’s main auditorium, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW in Washington, D.C.

August 26, 2010

U.S. Labor Department sues Tampa Bay, Florida, construction contractor to recover 401(k) savings plan losses

Tampa, Florida – The U.S. Department of Labor is suing Angell Contracting and Construction Inc., Creative Carpentry Inc., Angell Restoration Services and the owner of the three companies, Chad Angell, to require the defendants to restore losses to the companies’ 401(k) savings plan.

The department’s lawsuit alleges that between January and September of 2007 the companies failed to timely forward $25,752.04 to the savings plan in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the governing plan documents.

August 25, 2010

US Labor Secretary comments on data on labor force participation for persons with disabilities: We will make sure that people who want to work can work

WASHINGTON — Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released, for the first time, a detailed comprehensive overview on the employment of Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics, 2009. Armed with this new data, researchers, disability advocates, and policy makers can better project labor force participation for working-aged persons with disabilities.

August 23, 2010

US Labor Departments OSHA cites SeaWorld of Florida following animal trainers death

ORLANDO, Fla. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC for three safety violations, including one classified as willful, following the death of an animal trainer in February. The total penalty is $75,000.

August 23, 2010

US Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $737,000 to assist workers in Iowa affected by manufacturing industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $737,608 under the National Emergency Grant program to assist approximately 100 workers affected by layoffs at Skyjack Inc. in Emmetsburg, Iowa, and Freudenberg NOK in Spencer, Iowa.

"Today's grant will help workers gain the skills needed to compete for and find jobs," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These Iowans will receive the services needed to enter careers in promising industries. After all, only a new, good job can truly replace a job lost."

August 23, 2010

US Department of Labors OSHA cites E.N. Range Inc. in Miami, Fla., more than $2 million for exposing workers to lead and other hazards

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations to E.N. Range Inc. in Miami, Fla., alleging the company knowingly neglected to protect employees who clean gun ranges from serious overexposure to lead. It also provided, without medical supervision, non-FDA-approved treatments for lead exposure. The company was cited for more than 50 violations of the lead standard and others, with total proposed penalties of $2,099,600.

August 20, 2010

Statement by US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on death of Mario Guerra Obledo

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of Dr. Mario Guerra Obledo:

"I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Mario Guerra Obledo, the 'godfather of the Latino movement,' who I had the pleasure of knowing from my work in California as a state legislator. His uncompromising defense of the Latino community opened many doors of employment, representation and opportunities for me and many colleagues.