In the week ending November 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 225,000, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 211,000. The 4-week moving average was 217,000, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 215,250.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Departments of Labor and Homeland Security today posted a Final Rule on the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) website amending the regulations that govern the H-2B temporary non-agricultural labor certification. This rule will aid Americans looking to find and fill some of the 7 million open jobs in the United States.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia visited Phelps ACE High School’s career fair to meet with high school students as part of National Apprenticeship Week. The mentoring and networking career fair was sponsored by the DC Students Construction Trades Foundation, which sponsors accredited technical education for high school youth and registered apprenticeship instruction classes for industry workers.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released a comprehensive Technical Assistance Guide (TAG) for the construction industry. The guide will assist contractors meet their legal requirements and responsibilities for equal employment opportunity by preventing violations before they occur.

ORLANDO, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Chai BKK Inc. and Chai 99 Inc. – two Orlando, Florida-based restaurants owned by Hong Saeunong – will pay $27,000 in back wages to 17 employees for violating overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

EAST PEORIA, IL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime requirements, a federal judge has issued an injunction against Tequila’s Mexican Bar and Grill – based in Peoria, Illinois – and its owner Hector Munoz and manager Javier Munoz for repeated violations of federal recordkeeping requirements.

FUQUAY-VARINA, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), He’s Group Inc. – operating as King Chinese Buffet in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina – will pay $45,077 in back wages and liquidated damages to eight employees for violating the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

CHICAGO, IL – After investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), it was determined that three Chicago-area companies – Maria V. Contracting, Prate Roofing & Installations LLC, and Red Line Management – violated the Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). WHD has also assessed a total of $127,262 in civil money penalties against the companies under the Child Labor Enhanced Penalty Program (CLEPP) because three minors suffered substantial impairment during their unlawful employment.  

HATFIELD, PA – In a consent judgment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Via Marconi Pizza Pub Inc. – a bar and restaurant based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania – will pay $362,988 in back wages and liquidated damages to 25 employees for overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) found by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD). WHD also assessed a $21,398 civil monetary penalty due to the willful nature of the violations.

LANDSDOWNE, PA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Central Laundry Inc. – based in Landsdowne, Pennsylvania – and its owner George Rengepes and business operator Jimmy Rengepes must pay $133,335 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 32 employees to remedy violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – After an investigation by the U.S Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Sunil and Parul Patel – owners of a Motel 6 and Super 8 motel in Riverton, Wyoming – will pay $189,466 to three employees for federal wage violations as part of a consent judgment lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming. Investigators found the employer violated overtime and minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the start of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2019.

During NAW 2019, events are hosted across the country to celebrate the work of apprentices with thousands of participants nationwide.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia today issued the following statement regarding Veterans Day:

“Every year on this day, Americans across the country put aside their daily activities to honor the sacrifice and bravery of our nation’s veterans. We at the Department of Labor join our fellow Americans in saluting the men and women of the armed forces for their defense of our cherished freedoms.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released its first scheduling list solely for reviews focused on compliance with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These reviews will be similar in scope to reviews OFCCP began earlier in 2019 focused on compliance with its disability law.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released a directive renewing its commitment to military spouses. The directive encourages contractors to recruit, hire and retain the spouses of veterans and active duty military.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the issuance of two opinion letters that will assist active duty service members in their transitions to the civilian workforce.

ORLANDO, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Memos Painting & Drywall Inc. – based in Orlando, Florida – will pay $107,890 in back wages to 101 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In the week ending November 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 211,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 218,000 to 219,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,250, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 214,750 to 215,000.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that Christopher E. Hagerup has been named Regional Representative for its Chicago Regional Office.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to working with state and local governments and organizations to create more opportunities for America’s workers,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella said. “Regional Representatives ensure that our partnerships with communities throughout the region remain strong and productive while we pursue policies that encourage economic growth.” 

ARLINGTON, VA – For the fifth consecutive year, none of the nation’s more than 13,000 mining operations met the criteria for a Pattern of Violations (POV), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced today. The screening period started on September 1, 2018, and ended on August 31, 2019.