November 18, 2021

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending November 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 268,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 267,000 to 269,000. The 4-week moving average was 272,750, a decrease of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since March 14, 2020 when it was 225,500. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 278,000 to 278,500.

November 17, 2021

US Department of Labor, Travis County District Attorney commit to expand, improve protection of workers’ wages, enforcement of laws

AUSTIN, TX – Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand and improve the protection of Travis County’s workforce, enforcement of wage laws and level the playing field for responsible employers. 

November 17, 2021

US Department of Labor alleges global truck manufacturer fired worker concerned about coronavirus safety at Texas facility

DENTON, TX – As the coronavirus began to spread rapidly across the nation in March 2020, an employee of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of light, medium and heavy-duty trucks told a supervisor of their concerns about exposure to the virus at the Denton facility.

November 16, 2021

US Department of Labor, stakeholders to sign partnership agreement to train, protect workers on Obama Presidential Center from construction hazards

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, Lakeside Alliance and key participants will sign a strategic partnership to prevent serious hazards and enhance workplace safety and health practices for workers constructing the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South side.

November 16, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $45K for 22 Las Cruces restaurant workers whose employer did not pay overtime

LAS CRUCES, NM – Amid the pandemic, many restaurant workers suffered lost or reduced wages when businesses closed or were forced to limit or suspend indoor dining. For workers employed by a Las Cruces restaurant operator, making ends meet became more difficult when their employer shortchanged them.

November 16, 2021

US Department of Labor opens online dialogue with stakeholders to expand access among underrepresented communities to Registered Apprenticeships

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Labor today launched an online dialogue with stakeholders to increase access to Registered Apprenticeships for job seekers in underrepresented communities.

Conversation and ideas shared will help develop and shape future Registered Apprenticeship programs and funding opportunities, and foster diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

November 15, 2021

美國勞工部為麻薩諸塞州三家餐館的75名僱員 追回16.5萬美元的拖欠工資

波士頓 – 聯邦法院已經作出同意判決,為麻薩諸塞州故意不為工人支付加班工資的三家餐館的75名工人追回165,044美元。由於屬於故意違法行為,該同意判決還要求被告支付77,750美元的民事賠償金。

November 15, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $85K for ‘benched’ H-1B worker

PLANO, TX – A customer management consulting company based in Plano “benched” an employee in violation of the federal H-1B visa program by hiring the nonimmigrant worker as a software developer then failing to use the worker and pay the wages promised, a U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found.

November 15, 2021

Largest US pork processor agrees to develop, implement infectious disease preparedness plan, health training for workers

SIOUX FALLS, SD Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. – the country’s largest pork processor – has agreed to assemble a team of company and third-party experts to develop an infectious disease preparedness plan that the company will implement at all of its processing facilities nationwide.

November 15, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $165K in back wages for 75 employees of three Massachusetts restaurants

BOSTON – A federal court has entered a consent judgment that recovers $165,044 for 75 workers at three Massachusetts restaurants that intentionally failed to pay overtime wages. The consent judgment also orders the defendants to pay $77,750 in civil money penalties given the willful nature of the violations.  

November 15, 2021

US Department of Labor marks 7th annual National Apprenticeship Week

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the kickoff of the seventh annual National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 15-21, a Presidential proclamation on apprenticeship and the launch of a new collaborative effort to expand, diversify and modernize Registered Apprenticeships in the U.S.

November 12, 2021

US Department of Labor announces proposal to rescind Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comment on a proposal to eliminate the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program, allowing the department to direct its resources toward expanding access to good-paying jobs through Registered Apprenticeships and create reliable pathways to middle class.

November 12, 2021

Sunpro Solar’s owner cited again for exposing workers to fall hazards after investigation at Naples work site; faces $160K in penalties

NAPLES, FL Despite being cited twice in two years for exposing workers to dangerous fall hazards, one of the nation’s leading residential solar panel installation contractors has again violated federal workplace safety requirements, this time at a Naples work site.

November 10, 2021

US Department of Labor announces recipients of 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Awards

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today presented the 2021 Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Medallion Award to 849 employers from across the nation at a virtual ceremony. The annual awards recognize employers across the nation for their investment in recruiting, employing and retaining veterans.

November 10, 2021

US Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board, US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission align to end retaliation, promote workers’ rights

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today announced a joint initiative to raise awareness about retaliation issues when workers exercise their protected labor rights.

November 10, 2021

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending November 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 267,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 269,000 to 271,000. The 4-week moving average was 278,000, a decrease of 7,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since March 14, 2020 when it was 225,500. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 284,750 to 285,250.

November 9, 2021

Operadores de tres restaurantes de barbacoa en Houston pagan $40,000 a 179 trabajadores por violaciones a las horas extras

HOUSTON - Los operadores de tres restaurantes de barbacoa de Texas del área de Houston, que rebajaron los salarios de sus trabajadores en repetidas ocasiones al no pagarles las horas extras cuando era necesario, han pagado $40,043 en salarios atrasados a 179 trabajadores, tras una reciente investigación federal.

November 9, 2021

Operators of three Houston-area BBQ restaurants pay $40K in back wages to 179 workers after federal investigators finds overtime, other violations

HOUSTON – The operators of three Houston-area Texas buffet BBQ restaurants that shortchanged its workers’ wages repeatedly by failing to pay them overtime when required has paid $40,043 in back wages to 179 workers, following a recent federal investigation.