January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Little Rock Water Park Paying Penalty to Settle Child Labor Violations

LITTLE ROCK, AR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Aquapark LLC – doing business as Wild River Country in Little Rock, Arkansas – has paid $5,559 in civil money penalties to resolve child labor work hours violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Proposed Rule Regarding Equal Treatment of Faith-Based Organizations in U.S. Department of Labor-Supported Social Service Programs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department) is proposing a rule that would implement President Trump’s Executive Order No. 13831 (May 3, 2018), remove regulatory burdens on religious organizations and ensure that religious and non-religious organizations are treated equally in Department-supported programs.

January 16, 2020

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending January 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 204,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 214,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,250, a decrease of 7,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 224,000.

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Target Corp. For Blocked Emergency Exit Access at Two Massachusetts Stores

ANDOVER, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Target Corp. for emergency exit access hazards at stores in Danvers and Framingham, Massachusetts. The national retailer faces a total of $227,304 in penalties.

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Texas Trucking Company Paying $173,426 in Back Wages

AUSTIN, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Rami Transportation Inc. – based in San Marcos, Texas – has paid $173,426 in back wages to 66 employees to resolve overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Offers Benefits Information for Current, Former Nuclear Weapons Workers, and Enrolled Medical Providers in New Mexico

nuclear weapons workers benefits

SANTA FE, NM – Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies will host two presentations in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Thursday, February 27, 2020

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Fines Ohio Roofing Contractor

WATERVILLE, OHIO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Casey Bortles – a roofing contractor based in Holland, Ohio – for exposing employees to falls. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $242,534.

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Popular Seattle Restaurant Paying $419,459 in Back Wages, Damages

SEATTLE, WA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Tacos Chukis – a restaurant with four locations in Seattle, Washington – has paid $419,459 to 92 employees to resolve violations of overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Vinyl Flooring Manufacturer For Machine Hazards Following Worker Amputation

FOSTORIA, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Nox U.S. LLC for exposing employees to machine hazards and failing to develop hazardous energy control procedures to prevent employees from coming into contact with moving machine parts. OSHA has proposed $316,929 in penalties, and placed the Fostoria, Ohio, vinyl floor manufacturer in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Seeks Innovative Ideas to Improve Employment Outcomes for Youth Receiving Supplemental Security Income

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) today announced a new competitive initiative to identify and evaluate potential solutions to improve employment outcomes for young adults ages 14 to 24 who apply for or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

January 14, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Proposes $1,007,717 in Fines Against North Florida Roofing Contractor for Egregious Fall Hazards

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Florida Roofing Experts Inc. – a Jacksonville, Florida, roofing contractor owned by Travis Slaughter – for failing to protect workers from falls at two work sites in Fleming Island and one in Middleburg, Florida. Florida Roofing Experts Inc. faces penalties totaling $1,007,717.

January 13, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Workforce Development In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia toured Pulverman Manufacturing and participated in a roundtable discussion with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Secretary Scalia underscored the Administration's focus on training workers for jobs of the future as well as the positive impact the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will have on the region's economy.

January 13, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor and Avalon Bay Communities Partner To Promote Worker Safety on Massachusetts Construction Project

WOBURN, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety, and Avalon Bay Communities have partnered to promote worker safety at the Avalon Woburn construction project in Woburn, Massachusetts.

January 12, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule To Update FLSA’s Joint Employer Regulations

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to update the regulations interpreting joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They have not been meaningfully updated in over 60 years.

January 11, 2020

Commemorating National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Martha Newton released the following statement recognizing National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

January 10, 2020

Florida Roofing Contractor Found in Contempt after Failing to Pay $2,202,049 in Penalties for Safety and Health Violations

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has found a Jacksonville, Florida-based roofing contractor in contempt of court for failing to pay $2,202,049 in penalties assessed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for safety and health violations at worksites in Florida.

January 10, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Forms Alliance with Boise School District To Promote Workplace Safety and Health

BOISE, ID – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a two-year alliance with the Boise School District in Idaho to teach good workplace safety and health practices to young and vulnerable employees who are entering the workforce.

January 10, 2020

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the December Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on the December 2019 Employment Situation Report:

“The effects of tax cuts and deregulation led to a strong close of 2019. The unemployment rate remained at the 50-year low level of 3.5%. This is the 22nd consecutive month of the unemployment rate being at or below 4%. U-6, the broadest measure of unemployment and underemployment, set a record low in December.

January 10, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Valve Manufacturer for Exposing Employees to Lead, Copper and Other Hazards at Wisconsin Facility

PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Milwaukee Valve Company Inc. – based in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin – for exposing employees to lead and copper dust at rates higher than the permissible exposure levels. OSHA has proposed $171,628 in penalties to the industrial valve manufacturing company.

January 9, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Alabama Contractors After Teen Worker Suffers Fatal Fall

CULLMAN, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Apex Roofing and Restoration LLC, and WW Restoration LLC for exposing employees to fall hazards after a 15-year-old worker suffered fatal injuries after a fall at a Cullman, Alabama, worksite. The companies face $159,118 in penalties.