WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced $85 million in grants will be awarded to YouthBuild programs in 32 states.

YouthBuild is an education and training program with a strong pre-apprenticeship component that helps at-risk youth complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.

BOSTON, MA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ordered P & B Partitions Inc. and its owner Ronald H. Biglin Jr. to pay $158,139 in back wages and liquidated damages to 50 employees, to resolve willful violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company – based in West Berlin, New Jersey – was also assessed $33,880 in civil money penalties.

HARTFORD, CT – The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut ordered Eastern Awning Systems Inc. – a manufacturer of retractable fabric patio awnings based in Watertown, Connecticut – and its owner Stephen P. Lukos to pay a total of $160,000 to two discharged employees who filed safety and health complaints with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has resumed normal enforcement operations throughout Florida following Hurricane Michael.

CANTON, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the Town of Canton, North Carolina, has paid a civil penalty of $7,060 after employing two minor employees in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) child labor requirements.

PANAMA CITY, FL – Marathon Electrical Contractors Inc. – based in Irondale, Alabama – has paid $82,515 in back wages and fringe benefits to 17 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) hosts a variety of seminars across the country and webcasts in order to enhance understanding of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

MACON, GA – Federal contractor Asplundh Tree Expert Co. has agreed to pay $55,000 in back wages after a routine compliance evaluation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) found alleged systemic hiring discrimination violations at its Macon, Georgia, facility. Asplundh Tree Expert Co. has also agreed to make job offers for specific positions, to up to five eligible class members who express an interest in employment and meet qualifications.

In the week ending January 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 199,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since November 15, 1969 when it was 197,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 213,000 to 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,000, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 220,750 to 220,500.

NAPLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Ad-Ler Roofing Inc. for exposing employees to dangerous falls at a Naples residential worksite, one month after similar violations were found at another worksite. The Fort Myers, Florida-based contractor faces penalties of $91,466.

MIAMI, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a consent judgment and order between the U.S. Department of Labor and Kevin F. Kirkeide, a former chief financial officer for IOTC Financial Services LLC and Global Oil Financial Services LLC – both based in Boca Raton, Florida.

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership agreement to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the Central Passenger Terminal Complex Modernization project at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a consent judgment with BUB Inc. - a franchise operator of Primo Hoagies’ locations in Philadelphia and Bensalem, Pennsylvania - to resolve overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the judgment requires BUB Inc.

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Unger’s Kosher Bakery Inc. – a bakery and grocery store based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio – has paid $80,726 in back wages to 27 employees for overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has posted new frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the agency’s standard for respirable crystalline silica in general industry.

CORAL GABLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Compass Group USA Inc. – operating as Chartwells Dining – for exposing employees to burn and chemical hazards at its cafeteria in Coral Gables, Florida. The company faces $134,880 in penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding Martin Luther King, Jr., Day:

“Today, we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his work to open opportunities to all Americans. As the Department of Labor observes Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, we are reminded of Dr. King’s belief in the dignity of work and that no job is insignificant.”

MIAMI, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced Lanny Todd Fried – of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – to 57 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release; and ordered him to pay a $81,163 fine for his role in a healthcare-related, money-laundering scheme.

HASTINGS, NE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Noah's Ark Processors LLC – based in Hastings, Nebraska – for process safety management violations after an employee suffered severe burns caused by exposure to anhydrous ammonia, a gas used as an industrial refrigerant. The beef processing plant faces penalties of $182,926 for 16 serious safety violations.

SAVANNAH, GA – Wilmington Senior Care LLC - operator of a senior living community in Savannah, Georgia – has paid $15,241 in back wages and liquidated damages to six employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation determined the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).