July 9, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Seeks Information From Battery Manufacturer’s Employees as Wage Violations Case Continues in Federal Court

LYON STATION, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit alleging overtime and recordkeeping violations of federal law against East Penn Manufacturing Co. and encourages current and former employees affected by the alleged wage violations to contact the Department's Wage and Hour Division District Office in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

July 9, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Health Insurance Provider Paying $128,422 in Back Wages to 17 Employees

LOUISVILLE, KY – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Humana Inc. has paid $128,422 in back wages to 17 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

July 6, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in California Fast-Food Franchisee Paying $511,117 in Back Wages and Liquidated Damages

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JB Restaurants Inc., which operates 14 Jack in the Box fast-food restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, will pay $511,117 in back wages and liquidated damages to 152 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated overtime and child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company will pay $255,558 in overtime back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages. The child labor violations led WHD to assess an additional $18,529 in civil money penalties.

July 6, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Conducting Survey of Building Construction Projects to Ensure Maryland Workers Covered by Proper Wage Rates

BALTIMORE, MD – To help establish prevailing wage rates, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a survey of building construction projects in several Maryland counties.

July 6, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Seeks Input on Retrospective Study of Respirable Coal Mine Dust Rule

ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced  a Request for Information (RFI) on a Retrospective Study of the final rule entitled "Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors" in the Federal Register.

July 6, 2018

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

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the June 2018 Employment Situation report:

July 5, 2018

U.S Department of Labor Investigation Results in Michigan Gas Station Paying $64,146 in Overtime Back Wages, Damages to 3 Employees

CANTON, MI – Canton Petroleum – a gas station and convenience store based in Canton, Michigan – will pay three employees $64,146 in unpaid overtime wages and liquidated damages following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation that found the company violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

July 5, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Illinois Pallet Manufacturer After Employees Are Sickened from Unsafe Carbon Monoxide Levels

GENOA, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Cleary Pallet Sales Inc., a Genoa, Illinois-based pallet manufacturer, after 10 employees required emergency medical treatment for carbon monoxide exposure. The company faces proposed penalties totaling $216,253.

July 5, 2018

Federal Judge Orders Michigan Logging Company to Pay $878,874 In Overtime Back Wages and Liquidated Damages to 50 Employees

GAYLORD, MI – A federal judge has ordered Timberline South LLC – based in Gaylord, Michigan – and its manager Jim Payne to pay $878,874 in back wages and liquidated damages to 50 employees after finding the logging company and Payne violated the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

July 5, 2018

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending June 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 231,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 227,000 to 228,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,500, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 222,000 to 222,250.

July 3, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Renews Alliance to Help Prevent Construction Injuries and Illnesses in West Texas

SEMINOLE, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has renewed its alliance with Fehr's Metal Building Construction to help protect construction workers involved in commercial, industrial, and retail construction throughout West Texas.   

The three-year alliance focuses on preventing fall, struck-by, caught-in/between, electrocution, and heat illness hazards. The goals of the alliance include implementing best practices, improving safety and health programs, and increasing training.

July 3, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Bluewater Construction Solutions For Exposing Employees to Falls at Two Florida Worksites

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Bluewater Construction Solutions Inc. for exposing employees to dangerous falls at two south Florida worksites. The Melbourne, Florida-based residential framing contractor faces proposed penalties of $48,778.

July 3, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Miami Commercial Bakery For Exposing Employees to Electrical and Fall Hazards

MIAMI, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Bakery Management Corp., doing business as Bakery Corp., for exposing employees to caught-in, fall, and electrical hazards. The Miami-based commercial bakery faces proposed penalties of $67,261.

July 3, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites South Florida Manufacturer for Exposing Employees to Safety Hazards

MIAMI, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited BC Direct Corp. - doing business as Robotray - for exposing employees to struck-by, electrical shock, fire, and explosion hazards. The company faces $42,682 in proposed penalties.

OSHA cited the Miami-based manufacturer of bakery rack loaders for allowing employees to use spliced extension cords as well as for failing to properly store chemical cylinders and anchor machinery.

July 2, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Finds West Virginia Roofing Contractor Exposed Employees to Fall, Electrocution, and Other Workplace Hazards

HURRICANE, WV - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Design Roofing LLC for exposing employees to fall and other safety hazards at residential construction sites in Scott Depot and Culloden, West Virginia.

June 29, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Reaches Agreement to Restore $5.45 Million to Texas-Based Employee Stock Ownership Plan

LUBBOCK, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into an agreement with the fiduciaries of Cactus Feeders Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) who will repay $5.45 million in plan losses to the ESOP. The agreement resolves a March 10, 2016, civil suit brought by the Department alleging fiduciaries failed to fulfill their obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. The allegations stem from a December 2010 stock transaction that resulted in the ESOP overpaying for the outstanding shares of the company.

June 29, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Lubbock Hospital Paying $119,175 in Overtime Back Wages

LUBBOCK, TX – Lubbock County Hospital District - doing business as University Medical Center - has paid $119,175 in back wages to 197 emergency room healthcare employees to settle overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) found in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

June 28, 2018

Florida Substance Abuse Recovery Center Owner Receives Prison Sentence, Ordered to Make $5,122,886 in Restitution for Healthcare Fraud

BOYNTON BEACH, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigation, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced Anthony D. Jackson, owner of Pantherview Sober House LLC, to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The sentencing is in addition to court-ordered restitution of $5,122,886 following a previous guilty plea to conspiring with others to commit healthcare fraud.

June 28, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service Unveils Resource for Military Spouses

WASHINGTON, DC – Following President Trump's Executive Order Enhancing Noncompetitive Civil Service Appointments of Military Spouses, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) today announced the launch of a professional license and credential finder portal for military spouses.

June 28, 2018

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending June 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 227,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 218,000. The 4-week moving average was 222,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 221,000.