ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has initiated the deployment of a Mobile Inspection Application System (Mobile IAS) to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of mine inspectors and to better carry out MSHA’s core mission of promoting the health and safety of America’s miners. Nearly 1,500 federal mine inspectors across the nation and enforcement staff will benefit from this new technology.

SOLEDAD, CA – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Future Ag Management Inc. – a Soledad, California-based farm labor contractor – will pay $168,082 in penalties to resolve Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) violations that posed a direct and imminent threat to its employees. 

In the week ending February 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 222,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 230,000 to 229,000. The 4-week moving average was 226,000, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 228,500 to 228,250.

Read the full release.

PALATINE, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Manuel Gallardo, owner of Gallardo’s Construction Services, after inspectors observed employees exposed to fall hazards on six Chicago-area residential roofing projects between August and November 2017. The company faces $281,286 in proposed penalties.

HELENA, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited ABC Polymer Industries LLC, after an employee suffered fatal injuries when she was pulled into a plastics recycling machine. The company faces $195,144 in proposed penalties.

BOSTON, MA – In connection with a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the owners of several Boston, Massachusetts, pizza restaurants have agreed to a preliminary order enjoining them from retaliating against employees or former employees, and from instructing employees not to speak with or to lie to U.S. Department of Labor investigators.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, Fort Lauderdale window and door installation contractor ADCO Installers LLC will pay $103,608 in back wages to 35 employees. WHD investigators found the employer violated overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Investigators determined ADCO Installers LLC paid employees straight-time rates, instead of the required time-and-one-half, for hours they worked over 40 in a work week.

CHARLESTON, WV – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Atlanta-based Peach State Roofing Inc. for failing to protect its employees from fall hazards at a Charleston worksite. The company faces $107,930 in proposed penalties.

OSHA initiated an inspection on Aug. 9, 2017, after observing employees accessing a building roof without a ladder or stairway and working on the roof without fall protection. The company was cited for one repeat and two serious violations.

MIAMI, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, Cartagena’s Inc., a Miami-based commercial aircraft paint contractor, will pay $54,704 in back wages to 31 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

COLUMBUS, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Buckeye Service, Transmission, Exploration, and Production Safety Network (STEPS) have renewed an alliance to address safety and health hazards, and help improve workplace safety in Ohio’s oil and gas industry.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), WM Limited Partnership-1998, a Grand Rapids-based franchisee of 53 Wendy’s Restaurants, has paid $258,249 in civil money penalties for child labor violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at all 53 of its Michigan restaurants.

STEUBENVILLE, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Management Specialists Inc. (EMS) reached a settlement agreement that resolves a lawsuit filed under the anti-retaliation provision of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. Under the agreement, Steubenville, Ohio-based EMS will pay $21,000 in back wages to one of its employees.

MOBILE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited fiberglass pipe manufacturer RPS Composites Alabama Inc. for safety and health violations after an employee suffered a finger amputation. The company faces $74,833 in proposed penalties.

In the week ending February 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 230,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 221,000 to 223,000. The 4-week moving average was 228,500, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 224,500 to 225,000.

Read the full release.

ERLANGER, KY – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Erlanger-based plumbing contractor D&B Plumbing has paid $73,470 in back wages, overtime, and fringe benefits to eight employees. Investigators determined the company violated labor provisions of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).

ANN ARBOR, MI – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that Min & Kim Inc., an Ann Arbor restaurant doing business as Seoul Garden of Ann Arbor, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Min & Kim Inc. was ordered by a federal court to pay $112,212 in back wages to 27 employees to resolve alleged federal wage violations, including failure to pay overtime and maintain accurate payroll and time records.

TROY, MI – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation, Nino Salvaggio Fruit and Vegetable Markets—operator of three Detroit-area fruit and vegetable markets—has agreed to pay $135,657 in back overtime wages and interest to 212 employees to resolve a federal lawsuit.  

HAINES CITY, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), landscaper Southern Sod will pay $79,758 in back wages and liquidated damages to 70 employees. The WHD investigation found the company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the release of President Trump’s proposal to invest in American infrastructure:

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today commented on President Donald J. Trump’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor. Through targeted investments and common sense reforms, the Department’s budget request supports the President’s continued efforts to create good, safe jobs for the American people.