WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the May 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market added 82,000 private sector jobs in the month of May, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 8.2 percent.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on data regarding forced labor that have been issued by the International Labor Organization:

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 383,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 373,000. The 4-week moving average was 374,500, an increase of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average of 370,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending May 19, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,549,275 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment assistance to approximately 520 workers affected by layoffs at the Washington State Department of Corrections, the Washington State Employment Security Department, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and eight other Washington state and local government agencies.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today was honored by the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, which presented her with the Champion for the Futures of Farmworker Children Award for her commitment to improving the lives of farmworkers around the country through education and training.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 335 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 254 citations, 19 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 52 citations and nine orders.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $868,974 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing employment-related services to about 400 workers affected by the closure of the Sonoco Packaging Products in Devens, Mass., and related layoffs by Debbie's Staffing in Ayer, Mass., which provided temporary workers to the Sonoco packaging center.

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration will host a retirement plan compliance assistance seminar in Manhattan on June 13. The seminar is designed to help small business owners understand their fiduciary responsibilities when operating private sector retirement plans. It is free and open to the first 90 registrants.

SEATTLE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has approved J.R. Simplot Co.'s Conda Pump Station in Soda Springs, Idaho, for continued participation in its Voluntary Protection Programs at the "star," or highest, level. A ceremony to recognize the company's continued excellence in employee safety and health will be held at the facility June 1 at 6:00 p.m. MDT.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the election of Guy Ryder as director-general of the International Labor Organization:

"I extend my congratulations to Guy Ryder on his election as the new director-general of the International Labor Organization and wish him the greatest success in his new position. Mr. Ryder has been a great advocate of the world's working people, both as a trade union leader and in his work at the ILO.

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration will host a retirement plan compliance assistance seminar in Boston June 6. The seminar is designed to help small business owners understand their fiduciary responsibilities when operating private sector retirement plans. It is free and open to the first 90 registrants.

14 federal agencies collaborate to enhance global competitiveness of US manufacturers and create jobs

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the selection of Dolores Huerta for the Presidential Medal of Freedom:

"As a young girl growing up in La Puente, Calif., I was mesmerized by images of Dolores Huerta. I remember seeing in the newspaper the iconic photo of her holding up the HUELGA sign and seeing her on television, standing behind Robert F. Kennedy just seconds before he was assassinated.

Public asked to vote for runner-up videos

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the selection of Samuel Luna as a "Champion of Change":

"Today, the White House Office of Public Engagement will name Vietnam veteran Samuel Luna one of its 'Champions of Change,' a program created as a part of President Obama's Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and different groups of people are recognized for the unique work they do serving and strengthening their communities.

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued 30 notices of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions for violations found during inspections of four U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. OSHA began the inspections during November 2011 at the VA hospital in Mather and at outpatient clinics in Martinez, Fairfield and Oakland. All are part of the VA's Northern California Health Care System.

3 new members appointed and 5 members re-appointed

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will hold a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health June 19-20 in Washington. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has announced the appointment of three new committee members and the re-appointment of five members.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 370,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 372,000. The 4-week moving average was 370,000, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average of 375,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending May 12, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $35 million in funds to develop, enhance and promote Self-Employment Assistance programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, guidance released today clarifies that states may enroll participants who are currently receiving or eligible for federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits.

WEEHAWKEN, N.J. ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a court order appointing an independent fiduciary to manage the abandoned 401(k) plan of Worldwide Trade Resources Inc., formerly located in Weehawken. As of Jan. 31, 2011, the latest information available, the plan had 52 participants and assets totaling approximately $2.2 million.