June 30, 2014

OSHA News Release: San Antonio fruit processor and staffing agency cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for exposing temporary workers to serious hazards [06/30/2014]

SAN ANTONIO — Fresh From Texas Inc., a fresh fruit and vegetable processer for H-E-B Grocery stores and fast-food markets, and staffing agency iWorks Personnel Inc. have been cited for 18 violations by the U.S.

June 30, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on Harris v. Quinn Supreme Court ruling [06/30/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's Harris v. Quinn decision:

"Home care workers do heroic work, providing high-quality, compassionate care that allows seniors and people with disabilities to live at home with independence and dignity.

June 30, 2014

ETA News Release: $1M grant to assist Massachusetts workers affected by the closure of Haemonetics awarded by US Labor Department [06/30/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,064,034 grant to assist approximately 148 workers affected by layoffs at Haemonetics Corp., located in Braintree, Massachusetts.

"Workers impacted by these layoffs will need assistance to gain suitable employment in new industries and occupations," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This federal grant we're awarding today will help these individuals by providing a full array of re-employment services, opening up paths to new careers."

June 30, 2014

ETA News Release: $1.5M grant to assist workers affected by H.J. Heinz Co. layoffs in Pocatello, Idaho, announced by US Labor Department [06/30/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,593,803 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to approximately 330 workers affected by the closure of the H.J. Heinz Co. LP facility, located in Pocatello, Idaho.

"This federal grant will help Idahoans receive the job training and assistance needed to obtain new middle-class jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "During this time of transition for these workers, this support is vital to helping them continue to climb the ladder of success."

June 30, 2014

ILAB News Release: US Labor Department officials attend Labor Subcommittee meeting under US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement [06/30/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and their Government of Jordan counterparts met and issued a joint statement regarding the second Labor Subcommittee meeting under the U.S-Jordan Free Trade Agreement in Amman, Jordan.

June 26, 2014

ETA News Release: $154.8M awarded to 32 states, Puerto Rico and the Cherokee tribal nation to implement or expand job-driven training programs for laid-off workers [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $154,757,547 awarded to 32 states, Puerto Rico and the Cherokee tribal nation through the Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program. The funding will be used to train workers who lost a job through no fault of their own for jobs in high-demand industries.

June 26, 2014

VETS News Release: $36M in job-training grants to help 12,000 homeless veterans awarded by US Labor Department [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today announced grants totaling $36,710,368 awarded to 156 organizations nationwide to provide more than 12,000 veterans with training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the department's Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program, administered by the Veterans' Employment and Training Service.

June 26, 2014

ODEP News Release: $1.85M in funding now available to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities from US Labor Department [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the availability of $1,850,000 to fund a cooperative agreement to manage and operate the National Employer Policy, Research and Technical Assistance Center on the Employment of People with Disabilities.

The center will increase the commitment and capacity of employers to recruit, hire, retain and advance people with disabilities by:

June 26, 2014

ODEP News Release: $2M in funding now available from US Labor Department to enhance employment and career opportunities for youth with disabilities [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the availability of $2,083,300 for two cooperative agreements to improve post-secondary education and employment opportunities for youth with disabilities through the Pathways to Careers: Community Colleges for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Demonstration Project.

June 26, 2014

MSHA News Release: MSHA announces results of May impact inspections [06/26/2014]

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 172 citations, 21 orders and two safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and two metal and nonmetal mines in May.

June 26, 2014

ETA News Release: $154.8M awarded to 32 states, Puerto Rico and the Cherokee tribal nation to implement or expand job-driven training programs for laid-off workers [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $154,757,547 awarded to 32 states, Puerto Rico and the Cherokee tribal nation through the Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program. The funding will be used to train workers who lost a job through no fault of their own for jobs in high-demand industries.

June 25, 2014

OPA News Release: LGBT literature, authors highlighted for Pride Month as part of Labor Department's Books that Shaped Work in America project [06/25/2014]

WASHINGTON — From George Chauncey's "Gay New York" to Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass," work-related lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender literature and authors whose books focus on work are being highlighted for LGBT Pride Month as part of the U.S. Department of Labor's Books that Shaped Work in America.

June 24, 2014

OSHA News Release: Alabama insulation manufacturer cited for repeat and serious violations after US Department of Labor OSHA inspection [06/24/2014]

PHENIX CITY, Ala. — Industrial Insulation Group LLC was cited for five serious safety and health violations following an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The violations include failing to protect workers from the dangers of caustic chemicals. The agency began the inspection after receiving a complaint in January 2014 concerning these hazardous working conditions. Proposed penalties total $41,800.

June 24, 2014

ETA News Release: Workers affected by layoffs at Maine Military Authority to receive additional assistance from US Labor Department [06/24/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $157,430 in supplemental funding to continue the provision of employment-related services to workers affected by layoffs at the Maine Military Authority, located in Limestone, Maine.

"The workers who were laid off from the Maine Military Authority continue their efforts to secure new employment," said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Portia Wu. "Access to employment services through Labor Department funding is crucial to helping them succeed in today's challenging labor market."

June 24, 2014

ETA News Release: $68.7M awarded to fund re-employment and eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance claimants in 40 states and territories [06/24/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $68,745,912 to 37 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia to implement or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance beneficiaries.

June 24, 2014

ETA News Release: $1.9M in grants to support women in nontraditional occupations announced by US Labor Department [06/24/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $1,938,182 in grants to help women through the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations program, an initiative designed to recruit, train and retain women in high-skill occupations in advanced manufacturing, transportation, energy, construction, information technology and other industries.

June 23, 2014

WHD News Release: Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, to pay $800,000 in minimum wage back wages, liquidated damages following US Labor Department investigation [06/23/2014]

AMARILLO, Texas — Big Texan Steak Ranch has agreed to pay $650,000 in minimum wage back wages and $150,000 in liquidated damages to 279 current and former wait staff following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage and record-keeping provisions. Violations stemmed from an illegal tip pooling arrangement by the restaurant.

June 23, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA and Habitat for Humanity-Omaha establish partnership to protect volunteer workers from construction hazards [06/23/2014]

OMAHA, Neb.Habitat for Humanity-Omaha and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration have established a partnership to provide a safe and healthful work environment for employees, volunteers and subcontractors involved in residential construction projects. The partnership will include a requirement for any person working on a construction site to receive a site-specific construction safety orientation addressing hazards and safety procedures.

June 23, 2014

OSHA News Release: Construction Trailer Specialists cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for exposing workers to amputation, other serious hazards [06/23/2014]

SIKESTON, Mo. — Construction Trailer Specialists has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 21—including four repeat— safety and health violations for failing to protect workers from amputation, electrical and other hazards. OSHA has proposed penalties of $82,390 for the company based in Sikeston.

June 23, 2014

OSHA News Release: Denver-area residential roofing contractors are failing to provide necessary fall safety protection to workers [06/23/2014]

DENVER — The residential roofing industry in Denver and area communities, including Pueblo and Colorado Springs, is being cited in record numbers for failing to keep workers safe by providing necessary fall prevention equipment and training. In addition to its own outreach effort on fall prevention, the U.S.