June 27, 2013

US Department of Labor awards nearly $72 million in YouthBuild grants

68 programs across 33 states and the District of Columbia receive funding

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of nearly $72 million in YouthBuild grants to support academic and occupational skill training for at-risk youth.

June 27, 2013

US Department of Labor announces extension of comment period on lifetime income illustration proposal

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced an extension of the comment period on its advance notice of proposed rulemaking focusing on lifetime income illustrations given to participants in defined contribution pension plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans. The ANPRM serves as a request for comments on specific language and concepts in advance of a proposed regulation.

June 27, 2013

Harris v. Tripp Mechanical Services LLC involving failure to remit employee contributions to the company’s SIMPLE IRA plan in Falkland, NC

Date of Action: June 14, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Tripp Mechanical Services, LLC, Jarvis Edward Tripp, Jr., and Gina Tripp

June 26, 2013

MSHA announces results of May impact inspections

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 186 citations and nine orders during special impact inspections conducted at nine coal mines and five metal/nonmetal mines last month.

June 26, 2013

US Department of Labor announces $58 million in state grants to train dislocated workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $58 million in funding to 30 states for expanded training of dislocated workers so they can acquire industry-recognized credentials that lead to new career opportunities. The grants to states will support on-the-job training, customized training, registered apprenticeships and other approaches that connect individuals with employers, with a focus on providing these services to those in long spells of unemployment.

June 26, 2013

US Department of Labor awards more than $26 million in grants to help juvenile offenders prepare to enter the workforce

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded more than $26 million in grants to help improve long-term labor market prospects for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The "Face Forward" grants were awarded to 28 community-based organizations to provide juvenile offenders with support services, training and skills development to help them obtain employment and overcome the stigma of a juvenile record.

June 24, 2013

OSHA urges increased safety awareness in fireworks industry in advance of July 4 celebrations

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging the fireworks and pyrotechnics industry to be vigilant in protecting workers from hazards while manufacturing, storing, transporting, displaying and selling fireworks for public events.

June 24, 2013

US Labor Department obtains consent judgment ordering fiduciary of defunct Eynon, Pa., company to sign over $20,500 to employee profit sharing plan

Date of Action: June 3, 2013

Type of Action: Consent judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Charles Yaskulski, Eagle Warranty Corp., and Eagle Warranty Corp. profit sharing plan

June 24, 2013

Judge orders fiduciaries to restore $283,530 in retirement assets for workers at Heartland Foods in Indianapolis, resolving US Labor Department lawsuit

INDIANAPOLIS – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that the owners of Heartland Foods Inc. will restore $283,530 to the Heartland Foods Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan under terms of a consent judgment and order. The decision follows an investigation by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration that found co-owners Karen S.

June 20, 2013

US Department of Labor announces grant to provide employment services after layoffs in Minnesota

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $594,268 grant to assist about 130 workers impacted by the closure of Edward Jones Mortgage LLC offices in Minneapolis and suburban St. Louis Park.

June 20, 2013

US Department of Labor provides an additional $23 million to assist New York with Hurricane Sandy recovery

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Emergency Grant supplemental award of $23,314,255 to assist New York with continuing cleanup and recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

June 20, 2013

US Department of Labor awards $1.4 million for disaster recovery in Florida following Tropical Storm Debby

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,461,142 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts throughout Florida following Tropical Storm Debby.

"These grant funds, in particular, will help the state of Florida and displaced oystermen complete the work of restoring the oyster beds of the Apalachicola Bay," acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris said. "This additional federal funding is an investment that will create employment opportunities for individuals and benefit their communities."

June 20, 2013

US Department of Labor provides re-employment assistance for Texas workers affected by closure of Cargill Meat plant

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Emergency Grant of $2,066,314 to provide assistance to more than 320 workers affected by the closure of a Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., plant in Plainview, Texas. Awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, the grant will make it possible for eligible dislocated workers to receive re-employment services.

June 19, 2013

Holmes Safety Association embraces mine rescue component

ARLINGTON, Va. The recent decision by the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association to create a separate mine rescue program represents a critical component in a three-year effort by the Mine Safety and Health Administration to address gaps in how the nation responds to mine emergencies.

"We now have a new partner – a national organization to support and provide the necessary guidance for mine rescue," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

June 19, 2013

U.S. Department of Labor awards $20 million to help adult inmates prepare to enter the workforce

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded grants totaling $20 million to provide job training for inmates aged 18 and older participating in state or local work-release programs. The grants are part of the Training to Work-Adult Reentry initiative, which seeks to provide work skills, education, and supportive services to improve the long-term employment prospects of soon-to-be-released inmates.

June 19, 2013

U.S. Department of Labor obtains judgment ordering removal of fiduciary for the Pallet Holdings LLC 401(k) Plan in Indianapolis

Date of Action: June 17, 2013

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Names of Defendants: Pallet Holdings, LLC; Pallet Holdings, LLC 401(k) Plan and Brandon Bush, individually and as a fiduciary of the Plan

June 18, 2013

Harris v. People of Color in Crisis 403(B) Retirement Plan in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Date of Action: June 14, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant: People of Color in Crisis 403(B) Retirement Plan

June 17, 2013

$2 million in funding available from US Labor Department to reduce child labor in Afghanistan's home-based carpet production

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $2 million competitive solicitation to fund one or more projects to reduce child labor in the home-based production of carpets in Afghanistan.

June 17, 2013

US Department of Labor announces $7.7 million multi-country grant competition to reduce the worst forms of child labor

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $7.7 million competitive solicitation for a cooperative agreement to support a reduction of the worst forms of child labor by building local and national capacity of governments in at least 10 countries.

June 13, 2013

US Labor Department to fund projects to improve fire and building safety in Bangladesh

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $2.5 million competitive grant solicitation to fund improvements in the enforcement and monitoring of fire and building safety standards to better protect workers in the ready-made garment sector of Bangladesh.