June 11, 2014

ETA News Release: $3.2M in demonstration grants awarded by US Labor Department to improve services to older workers [06/11/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a one-time demonstration grant award of $3,224,509 to 14 community service organizations to improve services to low-income older workers through the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

June 10, 2014

WHD News Release: Appalachian Oilfield Services agrees to pay $129,802 in overtime back wages to 29 workers at Ohio oil fracking sites [06/10/2014]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Appalachian Oilfield Services LLC has agreed to pay 25 heavy equipment operators $129,802 in overtime back wages after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found the company was in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. At eastern Ohio drilling locations, the workers provided cleanup services and hauled away muck ejected from wells in the oil fracking process.

June 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Ohio worker's hand crushed while operating mechanical power press; US Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $89,500 in penalties [06/10/2014]

VALLEY CITY, Ohio — Following the crushing of a worker's hand in a 150-ton mechanical power press on Nov. 14, 2013, Superior Roll Forming Co. has been cited for four serious safety violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

June 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor OSHA investigation finds that New York company violated Sarbanes-Oxley Act by firing worker who reported investor fraud [06/10/2014]

NEW YORK — SpongeTech Delivery Systems Inc. of New York has been ordered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to pay $30,288.54, in back wages, plus interest, to a former employee who was fired after she reported apparent investment fraud to her superiors.

June 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Construction worker suffers severe injuries after fall into trench [06/10/2014]

FENTON, Mo. — Gershenson Construction Co. Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a worker suffered a broken vertebra when he was struck by a partially suspended load of sewer pipe and knocked to the bottom of an unprotected 13-foot-deep trench. OSHA has cited the company for 11 safety violations, including one willful and 10 serious, for failing to protect workers from struck-by and trench cave-in hazards.

June 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Liberty Tire Recycling cited for serious violations for exposing workers to falls, explosion, dangerous equipment hazards following OSHA inspection [06/10/2014]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Liberty Tire Recycling LLC has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for repeat and serious safety violations for exposing workers to falls, fire/explosion and dangerous, unguarded equipment. OSHA cited the Port St. Lucie recycler following a Site-Specific Targeting inspection in January 2014. Proposed penalties total $45,000.

June 10, 2014

ETA News Release: Workers affected by the closure of the Swank distribution center in Taunton, Mass., to receive assistance from the US Department of Labor [06/10/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,064,609 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 120 workers affected by the closure of the Swank Inc. distribution center located in Taunton, Massachusetts.

June 9, 2014

Judge orders fiduciaries to restore $83,500 to E. L. Fasel & Sons Profit Sharing Plan in Kane County, Ill., following mishandling of funds

Date of Action: June 9, 2014

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment

Names of Defendants: Orland Fasel, Bernice Fasel, Edward Fasel, E. L. Fasel & Sons Inc. Profit Sharing Plan

Allegations: Orland Fasel, who was co-owner of E.L. Fasel & Sons Inc. and fiduciary to the E.L. Fasel & Sons Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, improperly transferred funds from the Plan to himself and his wife, Margaret Fasel. Edward Fasel was co-owner of the company and a named trustee of the Plan. Bernice Fasel was also a named trustee of the Plan.

June 9, 2014

WHD News Release: Access Therapies to be debarred, ordered to pay $121,400 in penalties and back wages to 6 workers following US Department of Labor investigation [06/09/2014]

CHICAGO — Under terms of a court order, Indianapolis-based Access Therapies Inc. must pay $81,454 in civil money penalties and $39,946 in back wages to six physical therapists for violations of the H-1B provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The H-1B program allows employers to employ foreign workers temporarily in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant basis in specialty occupations. Access Therapies will be debarred from participation in the H-1B program for a one-year period.

June 9, 2014

WHD News Release: Nearly $5M in back wages for approximately 500 workers at federally-assisted project in New York secured by US Labor Department [06/09/2014]

NEW YORK — MDG Design & Construction LLC has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor that resolves wage violations at the federally-assisted Grand Street Guild construction project in New York City's Lower East Side. MDG and other respondents will pay $3.8 million in back wages and fringe benefits to about 200 of MDG's subcontractors' construction workers.

June 9, 2014

OWCP News Release: US Department of Labor notifies former Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Co. employees of inclusion in EEOICPA Special Exposure Cohort [06/09/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will host two town hall meetings on Wednesday, June 18, in Attleboro, Mass., and Thursday, June 19, in Cromwell, Conn., to notify current and former nuclear weapons employees who worked at 33 covered facilities in southern New England about the benefits available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

June 9, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Duce Construction for failing to protect employees from trench dangers [06/09/2014]

SAVOY, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Duce Construction Co. with four safety violations, including three serious and one willful, for failing to protect workers from trenching hazards at a job site on East Airport Road in Savoy. OSHA opened the February 2014 inspection under the National Emphasis Program for trenching and excavation. Proposed penalties total $59,500.

June 9, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Massachusetts seafood processor for serious safety violations following worker's death [06/09/2014]

BRAINTREE, Mass. — A 35-year-old sanitation supervisor at a New Bedford fish processing plant died on Jan. 16, 2014, after he was caught in the rotating parts of the shucking machine he was cleaning. Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, his employer, Sea Watch International Ltd., was cited for seven serious safety violations, including failure to implement basic safety procedures to protect workers who service or maintain machines.

June 9, 2014

WHD News Release: Nearly $5M in back wages for approximately 500 workers at federally-assisted project in New York secured by US Labor Department [06/09/2014]

NEW YORK — MDG Design & Construction LLC has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor that resolves wage violations at the federally-assisted Grand Street Guild construction project in New York City's Lower East Side. MDG and other respondents will pay $3.8 million in back wages and fringe benefits to about 200 of MDG's subcontractors' construction workers.

June 9, 2014

OASAM News Release: Minnesota WorkForce Center signs agreement with US Labor Department to serve customers with disabilities in integrated settings [06/09/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that it has entered into a conciliation agreement to resolve allegations of disability discrimination by an American Job Center in Burnsville, Minnesota. The U.S.

June 6, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement of US Secretary of Labor Perez on May employment numbers [06/06/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the May 2014 Employment Situation report released today:

"The economy in May continued its steady recovery from the Great Recession, and we have now added 9.4 million new private-sector jobs over 51 consecutive months. The economy generated 217,000 new jobs in May — the fourth consecutive month exceeding 200,000 new jobs — and the unemployment rate held steady at 6.3 percent.

June 5, 2014

Judge orders Lakes Area Advertiser Inc. and A.D.S. Delivery Service Inc. to restore more than $50,000 to employee benefit plans in Antioch, Ill.

Date of Action: May 30, 2014

Type of Action: Consent order and judgment

Names of Defendants: Brandy Williams, Wanda Knight, Dmazana Lumukanda, Lakes Area Advertiser Inc. 401(k) Plan and A.D.S. Delivery Service Inc. 401(k) Plan

June 5, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA fines Dollar Tree $217,000 for willfully putting Missoula workers at risk [06/05/2014]

BILLINGS, Mont. — National discount chain Dollar Tree Stores Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Montana for repeatedly and willfully exposing workers to safety hazards. OSHA began its inspection in November 2013 after receiving a complaint about dangerous conditions at a store located in Missoula.

June 5, 2014

EBSA News Release: US Labor Department solicits nominations for 2015 ERISA Advisory Council [06/05/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting nominations to fill five three-year vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, Aug. 1.

June 4, 2014

OSHA News Release: Bronx contractor fined $66,600 by US Department of Labors OSHA for exposing workers to serious fall hazards [06/04/2014]

BRONX, N.Y. — Kay Waterproofing Corp., a masonry and waterproofing contractor based in the Bronx, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 13 serious safety violations — including fall and scaffolding hazards — found at a residential building in Edgewater, N.J. OSHA initiated its December 2013 investigation after an imminent danger complaint was made and has proposed $66,600 in penalties.