WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded three National Emergency Grants totaling more than $4 million to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources that will assist more than 750 workers affected by recent plant closures and resulting layoffs in Puerto Rico.

"The services provided through these federal grants will help these dislocated workers improve their re-employment prospects by providing training to prepare them for careers in high-demand industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced awards of $1.8 million in grants to consortia in six states through the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations program.

"Apprenticeship programs are effective pipelines into growing industries. But too often, these programs are not as accessible to women. The federal grants announced today will better connect women with apprenticeships, helping them to gain skills in fields that offer long-term career opportunities," said Secretary Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $100,485 National Emergency Grant supplement to continue providing re-employment and training services to about 75 workers affected by layoffs by the Maine Military Authority in Limestone, Maine.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited four New Jersey contractors working on a 20-story building in Jersey City for exposing workers to fall hazards following a December 2011 inspection during which inspectors observed employees working on the fourth floor without personal fall protection or fall protection systems. Altura Concrete Inc.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has made available public service announcements, in video and audio formats featuring Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, urging unemployed veterans to apply for benefits through the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program. Both announcements are 46 seconds.

Administrative law judge increases penalty proposed by MSHA

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that an administrative law judge with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has ordered Cumberland River Coal Co. to reinstate miner Charles Howard to his former job and pay a civil penalty of $30,000, increasing MSHA's original proposed penalty of $20,000.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today announced that Baldor Electric Co. has agreed to settle allegations of systemic discrimination stemming from the company's applicant screening process at its facility in Fort Smith, Ark. OFCCP investigators determined that the process violated Executive Order 11246 by creating a disparate impact on women and minorities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded nearly $50 million in two types of grants to 25 community-based organizations that will provide job training, education and support services to youth and young adults returning from the juvenile justice system.

"These young people deserve a chance to turn their lives around," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The federal grants announced today will help vulnerable youth receive the training and support they need to gain valuable job skills and improve their long-term employment prospects."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health today issued a hazard alert on ensuring that employers in hydraulic fracturing operations take appropriate steps to protect workers from silica exposure. Today's action, which is taken after consultation with stakeholders, including industry, meets the Obama administration's focus on ensuring that this important resource continues to be developed safely and responsibly.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 387,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 389,000. The 4-week moving average was 386,250, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 382,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending June 9, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,055,188 grant to assist about 755 workers affected by the closure of four companies in Wisconsin's manufacturing sector: Joerns Healthcare Inc. of Stevens Point, SNE Enterprises Inc. of Mosinee, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. of Two Rivers, and Wausau Paper Printing and Writing LLC of Brokaw. The layoffs began in December 2011 and will continue through December 2012.

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Experts will answer questions and clarify protections and eligibility

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division will host a free webinar on June 27 at 2 p.m. EDT to help workers and employers understand the Family and Medical Leave Act. The department also has prepared a 16-page booklet, available online, that explains the FLMA and answers common questions.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the award of 64 grants totaling more than $15 million that are aimed at providing approximately 8,600 homeless veterans nationwide with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,542,924 National Emergency Grant increment to provide employment-related services to 443 workers who are members of the Lummi Nation and have been affected by fishing industry layoffs in Bellingham, Wash.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,990,725 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue re-employment services for more than 4,800 workers directly affected by the closure of New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. in Fremont, Calif., and 39 suppliers affected by the closure of NUMMI's plant.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,118,609 National Emergency Grant increment to provide employment-related services to more than 960 workers impacted by the closure of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. facility located in Union City, Tenn.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of a $2.5 million grant to fund a cooperative agreement to manage and operate the Job Accommodation Network, a national technical assistance center that facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities.

BRAINTREE, Mass. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Tribe Mediterranean Foods, a subsidiary of Nestle SA that manufactures Tribe brand hummus products, for 18 alleged violations of workplace safety standards following the death of a worker at its Taunton production plant. OSHA's South Boston Area Office opened an inspection on Dec.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $203,555 National Emergency Grant increment to continue employment-related services for about 600 workers affected by layoffs and closings at 11 companies in Massachusetts and one in Connecticut across a variety of industries.