47,000 people will take part in training and education

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered the Illinois Central Railroad Co. and the Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad, both headquartered in Homewood, Ill., to pay a former railroad employee more than $80,000 in back wages, compensatory damages and attorney's fees.

Labor certification for temporary agricultural employment of H-2A workers in US to strengthen worker protection for both American and foreign workers

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 440,000, a decrease of 43,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 483,000. The 4-week moving average was 468,500, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 469,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Jan. 30, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

HOUSTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has resolved a lawsuit against Houston-based Universal Project Management Inc. and Irving, Texas-based Fluor Enterprises Inc. for failing to pay $1million to 154 workers in overtime compensation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Washington – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today released a model notice that will enable employers to provide information on eligibility for premium assistance under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

WASHINGTON U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement today on the passing of Congressman John Murtha:

"The nation lost an advocate for peace. Pennsylvania lost a great champion. And I lost a mentor and great friend.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman John Murtha, and my thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Murtha and her family at this difficult time.

San Francisco – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will hold two free half-day workshops in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, to help employers and plan administrators of pension and health plans better understand and comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

The workshops will be held at the James A. McClure Federal Building/U.S. Courthouse located at 550 West Fort St., Room 311. They will begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. MST.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the January 2010 Employment Situation report released today:

"This past January, the economy lost 20,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent.

"While today's report shows positive signs that the economy is moving in the right direction, the numbers underscore that we still have work to do to get Americans back to work.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the results of its Tools for America's Job Seekers Challenge. Recommendations have been tallied, and the top-rated sites in each of six categories – general job boards, niche tools, career tools, career exploration tools, Web 2.0 and "other" – are now available at http://www.careeronestop.org/jobseekertools.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $880,000 grant to provide an estimated 800 jobless workers in Maine with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.

"Unemployment and lack of health insurance are twin obstacles for workers who are seeking out new careers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will help eligible workers pay for health insurance while they upgrade existing skills or seek out new careers in promising industries."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 7,200 workers from companies in 15 states – California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 480,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 472,000. The 4-week moving average was 468,750, an increase of 11,750 from the previous week's revised average of 457,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Jan. 23, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

Rules to Live By targets most often cited standards in fatal accident investigations

Warning system could avert pinning, crushing accidents underground

WASHINGTON — A protracted case that started with a U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) investigation has resulted in an administrative law judge's (ALJ) recommended ruling that Bank of America discriminated against African-American job applicants for entry level positions in Charlotte, N.C., in 1993 and from 2002 to 2005.

Washington – The U.S. Departments of Labor and the Treasury today announced the publication of a request for information (RFI) soliciting public comments to assist the agencies in determining what steps to take to enhance retirement security for workers in employer-sponsored retirement plans through lifetime annuities or other arrangements that provide a stream of income after retiring. The RFI appears in today’s edition of the Federal Register.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today, through a national online discussion with stakeholder groups, the general public and the news media, outlined the president's fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor, which is built around the vision of "good jobs for everyone." The budget launches innovative ways to prepare workers for 21st century jobs, and makes new investments in programs that protect workers' rights, safety and health in the new economy.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today called on states to apply for more than $4 billion in unemployment insurance modernization funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) for those states that expand access to unemployment benefits. These funds can be used by states to pay unemployment insurance benefits and may be used for other defined purposes if appropriated by state legislatures.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $225 million in additional funding for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in fiscal year 2010. This funding was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 to allow SCSEP grantees to immediately address unmet needs for employment and job training among low-income, older American workers.