WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $68,745,912 to 37 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia to implement or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance beneficiaries.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $1,938,182 in grants to help women through the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations program, an initiative designed to recruit, train and retain women in high-skill occupations in advanced manufacturing, transportation, energy, construction, information technology and other industries.

AMARILLO, Texas — Big Texan Steak Ranch has agreed to pay $650,000 in minimum wage back wages and $150,000 in liquidated damages to 279 current and former wait staff following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage and record-keeping provisions. Violations stemmed from an illegal tip pooling arrangement by the restaurant.

DENVER — The residential roofing industry in Denver and area communities, including Pueblo and Colorado Springs, is being cited in record numbers for failing to keep workers safe by providing necessary fall prevention equipment and training. In addition to its own outreach effort on fall prevention, the U.S.

BIRDSBORO, Pa. — After a follow-up inspection that began in December 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Birdsboro Kosher Farms Corp. for failing to correct previously cited serious safety violations found at the kosher poultry processing facility in Birdsboro. Following the inspection, the company faces $59,400 in proposed penalties.

OMAHA, Neb. — Habitat for Humanity-Omaha and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration have established a partnership to provide a safe and healthful work environment for employees, volunteers and subcontractors involved in residential construction projects. The partnership will include a requirement for any person working on a construction site to receive a site-specific construction safety orientation addressing hazards and safety procedures.

SIKESTON, Mo. — Construction Trailer Specialists has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 21—including four repeat— safety and health violations for failing to protect workers from amputation, electrical and other hazards. OSHA has proposed penalties of $82,390 for the company based in Sikeston.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez announced today a proposed rule extending the protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act to all eligible employees in legal same-sex marriages regardless of where they live. The proposal would help ensure that all families will have the flexibility to deal with serious medical and family situations without fearing the threat of job loss. Secretary Perez is proposing this rule in light of the Supreme Court's decision in United States v.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will host two town hall meetings on Tuesday, June 24, and Wednesday, June 25, in Moab, Utah, to provide the public with information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and the medical benefits available under the program. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons and uranium mining industries.

MACON, Ga. — California Cereal Products Inc. was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for nine serious safety and health violations for exposing full-time and temporary workers to electrical, fall and noise hazards following an inspection at the company's cereal production facility in Macon. The agency initiated the December 2013 inspection because of a complaint. Penalties total $40,600.

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. — Sonic Creations Inc., of Destin, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for three repeat and two serious safety violations for failing to provide workers who were framing houses with required protection from falls. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry and are responsible for thousands of serious injuries each year. Following an inspection in January 2014, OSHA issued citations at the Water Color subdivision in Santa Rosa Beach. Penalties total $53,020.

PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a "Construction Incident Prevention Initiative" campaign this summer to curb construction fatalities. Compliance officers will focus enforcement effort on construction sites covered by OSHA's Wilmington, Del., Area Office, which includes the state of Delaware.

LAMONT, Fla. — On Jan. 16, 2014, David Kimberl, an 18-year-old laborer, was crushed to death when a bridge panel weighing nearly 1,800 pounds fell on him while he was dismantling a section of the old Aucilla River Bridge on U.S. 98 in Lamont. Kimberl was on the job for one week and had never worked in bridge construction. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited GLF Construction Corp. for 14 safety violations following its investigation of the fatality.

PHILADELPHIA — In 2012, 243 workers nationwide died while engaging in tree trimming and clearing activities. Reversing this statistic is at the heart of a Regional Emphasis Program announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to reduce workplace fatalities that occur during tree trimming and clearing operations throughout the area covered by OSHA's Wilmington, Del., Area Office, which includes the state of Delaware.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding the resolution under consideration at the meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors in Dallas, Texas, June 20-23 that calls for an increase in the national minimum wage:

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $74 million in grants to 37 community service organizations to provide employment, training and support services to successfully re-integrate formerly incarcerated adults and youth involved in the juvenile justice system into their communities. Grantees are expected to provide a range of services that include case management, mentoring, education and training that leads to industry-recognized credentials.

HOUSTON, Texas — Gillespie Lumber Ltd. in Nacogdoches was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 13 violations, including seven for failure-to-abate previous violations in an August 2013 inspection. The company continues to expose workers to dangerous, unguarded machines. The proposed penalty for this follow-up inspection, which began in January, is $125,282.00.

OMAHA, Neb. — As residents recover from the damage caused by the recent tornadoes and severe storms in Pilger, Neb., Sioux City, Iowa, and other areas of Nebraska and western Iowa, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges recovery workers, employers and the public to exercise caution during cleanup and recovery efforts.

DAVIE, Fla. — Westwind Contracting Inc., of Pembroke Park, was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for one willful and two serious violations for exposing workers to safety hazards while installing concrete catch basins for storm water along State Road 84 in Davie. OSHA began the inspection in January 2014 as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation. Proposed penalties total $76,300.

CHURCH POINT, La. — Acadian Fine Foods LLC was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 16 safety and health violations, including 14 serious, one willful and one repeat violation, following a referral inspection that began in December 2013 at the Church Point processing plant. The food processor faces $121,660 in proposed fines for failing to protect workers from overexposure to carbon dioxide, dangerous machines and other safety hazards.