March 13, 2019

Massachusetts Pizza Restaurants’ Owners To Pay $330,000 in Back Wages And Liquidated Damages to 150 Employees After Federal Investigation

BOSTON, MA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and subsequent litigation, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has issued a consent judgment ordering Stavros "Steve" Papantoniadis and Polyxeny "Paulina" Papantoniadis – owners of a chain of eastern Massachusetts-area pizza restaurants – to pay a total of $330,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 150 current and former employees.

March 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Florida Laundry Service Paying $60,863 in Back Wages to 15 Employees

ORLANDO, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Crown Linen LLC – based in Orlando, Florida – will pay $60,863 in back wages to 15 employees for violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

March 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in South Florida Assisted Living Facility Paying $103,389 in Back Wages to 20 Employees

PEMBROKE PINES, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Paradise Villa Retirement Home Inc. – operator of five South Florida assisted living facilities – has paid $103,389 in back wages to 20 employees for violating minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

March 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Wisconsin Aluminum Castings Manufacturer After Three Employees Develop Occupational Lung Disease

SHEBOYGAN, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Nemak USA Inc. – based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin – for exposing workers to metalworking fluids used on aluminum after three employees were diagnosed with occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a debilitating lung disease. The company faces penalties of $26,520 for two serious health violations, the maximum penalty allowed by law.

March 11, 2019

President’s 2020 Budget Expands Opportunities for America’s Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor released the following statement regarding President Trump's fiscal year 2020 Budget. The President's Budget supports American workers by funding investments in proven programs that lead to family-sustaining jobs, makes critical investments in worker protection programs, supports our nation's veterans, and reforms or eliminates ineffective or duplicative programs.

March 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Provides National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis in Missouri

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development for up to $4,090,306, with an initial increment of $1,363,435. The grant will provide disaster relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in 51 Missouri counties impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

March 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Conducting Wage Survey of New Hampshire Highway Construction Projects

MANCHESTER, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a statewide survey of New Hampshire highway construction projects that occurred between November 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018, to establish prevailing wage rates, as required under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. The data collection initiative is not limited to federally funded construction projects.

March 8, 2019

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta on February Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the February 2019 Employment Situation report:

"At 3.4% year-over-year, wage gains hit their highest mark since April 2009.  The year-over-year average hourly earnings growth surpassing 3.0% for the seventh straight month is good news for America's workers.

March 7, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Releases Overtime Update Proposal

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would make more than a million more American workers eligible for overtime.

March 7, 2019

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending March 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 223,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 225,000 to 226,000. The 4-week moving average was 226,250, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 229,000 to 229,250. 

March 6, 2019

U.S. District Court Sentences Investment Advisor to Prison and Orders Payment of $1,636,604 in Restitution for Pension Fraud

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigation of a multi-million dollar pension trust fraud, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced William H. Minor to 41 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a special assessment of $100, and ordered him to pay $1,636,604 restitution.

March 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Georgia Battery Manufacturer For Lead and Other Safety Hazards; Proposes $115,594 in Penalties

AUGUSTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited U.S. Battery Manufacturing Co. for exposing employees to lead, unguarded machinery, and other safety hazards at its facility in Augusta, Georgia. The company faces penalties of $115,594.

March 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Contractors for Safety Violations Following Two Fatalities at Florida Hotel Worksite

ORLANDO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited two contractors – PCL Construction Services Inc. and Universal Engineering Sciences – for safety violations after two employees suffered fatal injuries at a work site for the new JW Marriott Hotel in Orlando.

March 5, 2019

Federal Court of Appeals Affirms U.S. Department of Labor’s Findings In Wage Violation Case against Louisville Security Services Provider

LOUISVILLE, KY – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio, issued an opinion affirming the Department's assertion that Off Duty Police Services Inc. – a security and traffic control services provider based in Louisville, Kentucky – violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

March 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Fines Pennsylvania Construction Company $208,560 for Exposing Employees to Trenching Hazards

WARMINSTER, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Etna Construction Inc. – based in Warminster, Pennsylvania – for exposing employees to excavation hazards at a worksite in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company faces $208,560 in penalties.

March 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Roofing Contractor After Fatal Fall at South Florida Worksite

NAPLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited TarHeel Corp. for exposing employees to safety hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries as a result of a fall at the Forest Glen Community in Naples, Florida.

March 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in South Carolina Roofing Company Paying $156,346 in Back Wages to 84 Employees

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Monarch Co. – based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and operating as Monarch Roofing – will pay $156,346 in back wages to 84 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

March 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Florida Company Paying $41,677 in Back Wages to 111 Employees

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Fast Frontier LLC – based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and operating as Cricket Wireless – has paid $41,677 in back wages to 111 employees for violating the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at 54 locations in Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

March 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor to Offer Education and Outreach Event To Promote Employment, Protection of Individuals with Disabilities

ATLANTA, GA - The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta, Georgia, will host an education and outreach event to assist federal contractors in recruiting people with disabilities into the workplace and protecting those in the workforce from discrimination.

March 4, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Review Results in Government Contractor Paying $250,000 in Back Pay and Interest to Settle Alleged Hiring Discrimination

CONROE, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and the GEO Group Inc. – a company specializing in privatized corrections, detention, and mental health treatment – have entered into a conciliation agreement to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination at the company’s Joe Corley Detention Center in Conroe, Texas. The GEO Group Inc. has agreed to pay $250,000 in back wages and interest as part of a conciliation agreement.