Marshfield, Wisconsin – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $140,000 for two employee benefit plans sponsored by B & K Builders Inc. of Marshfield. Pursuant to today's entry of a consent order and judgment by the court, the department has recovered $117,430.85 from the company and one of its co-owners, Kenneth Staab, to restore losses to the company's prevailing wage plan. This is in addition to more than $22,000 restored to the company's 401(k) profit-sharing plan in March.

WASHINGTON — Whistleblowers covered by one of 22 statutes administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will now be able to file complaints online. The online form will provide workers who have been retaliated against an additional way to reach out for OSHA assistance online.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today published in the Federal Register its finalized tribal consultation policy, which establishes a formal process through which the department will engage in consultation with federally recognized tribes on actions or policies that will have a significant impact on tribal nations. This policy requires that the department's government-to-government consultation with the federally recognized tribes involve appropriate tribal and department officials.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit has rejected an appeal by Cordero Mining LLC of Gillette, Wyo., in a worker discrimination case and affirmed a December 2011 decision by an administrative law judge of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. In that decision, the judge ordered Cordero Mining to reinstate a discharged employee to her former position, make her whole for lost wages and benefits, remove from her personnel files references to the unlawful discharge and pay a civil penalty of $40,000.

Suit seeks back wages, liquidated damages from Bananera Fabre, Finca La Platas

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation today released advance informational copies of the 2012 Form 5500 annual return/report and related instructions. These advance copies of the 2012 Form 5500 are for informational purposes only and cannot be used to file a 2012 Form 5500 annual return/report.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement to mark the 2012 International Day of Persons with Disabilities:

"Today is an important opportunity to celebrate the diversity and innovation that people with disabilities bring to businesses of all sizes in all industries every day. Through their talents and skills, they are contributing to global economic growth and making the United States a stronger nation.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of a $2,699,712 National Emergency Grant supplement to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Debby. The supplement will continue funding temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers who are assisting with cleanup and recovery efforts.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $641,042 National Emergency Grant supplement to assist with continuing cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of severe flooding that affected northwestern Missouri between June 1 and Aug. 1, 2011. Awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the supplement will continue funding 141 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers in affected areas.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $350,000 National Emergency Grant increment that will fund temporary jobs for workers to assist with continuing cleanup and recovery efforts in Vermont following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.

Date of Action: Nov. 30, 2012

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Brian Kirshner, Bennett W. Sipes, First Profit Sharing Plan and Trust of Sunset Heating and Cooling, Inc.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a request for information seeking public comment on potential revisions to its Process Safety Management standard and related standards, as well as other policy options to prevent major chemical incidents.

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Aldridge Electric Inc. for one serious safety violation following the June 25 death of a 36-year-old worker who developed heat stroke at a job site in Chicago. The company was installing electrical conduit in an uncovered trench on the Chicago Transit Authority's Dan Ryan Red Line project when the worker became ill on his first day on the job.

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Aldridge Electric Inc. for one serious safety violation following the June 25 death of a 36-year-old worker who developed heat stroke at a job site in Chicago. The company was installing electrical conduit in an uncovered trench on the Chicago Transit Authority's Dan Ryan Red Line project when the worker became ill on his first day on the job.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 370,000, a decrease of 25,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 395,000. The 4-week moving average was 408,000, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 405,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration, working with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, today proposed a new policy for addressing flight attendant workplace safety.

While the FAA's aviation safety regulations take precedence, the agency is proposing that OSHA be able to enforce certain occupational safety and health standards currently not covered by FAA oversight.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement highlighting the U.S. Department of Labor's ongoing efforts in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Day is Dec. 1.

"On World AIDS Day, we reflect on friends and family members we have lost since the emergence of this pandemic more than 30 years ago. And while an encouraging United Nations report reveals the positive impact of international prevention and treatment programs, more than 1.7 million people died of AIDS-related illness last year.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 210 citations and 14 orders during special impact inspections conducted at nine coal mines and five metal/nonmetal mines last month.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the tragic fire in Bangladesh:

"This past Saturday, Bangladesh suffered one of the worst industrial accidents in its history. A devastating fire swept through the Tazreen Fashion garment factory, killing more than 100 and injuring many more. I join U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena in extending heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh and the many families who lost their loved ones.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending November 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 393,000, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 416,000. The 4-week moving average was 405,250, an increase of 7,500 from the previous week's revised average of 397,750.