WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, through which a total of $4.7 million is available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations, employer associations and labor unions. The grants will fund training for workers and employers to recognize workplace hazards and appropriate control measures, and to understand their rights and responsibilities under OSHA's regulations and standards.

Business owners, researchers, advocates and workers invited to attend

DENVER The U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau will host a National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility on Friday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to noon MDT at Colorado Heights University, 3001 S. Federal Blvd., Denver, Colo. 80236. The dialogue, which builds on the message and momentum of the 2010 White House Flexibility Forum, will focus on flexibility challenges and solutions for workers in the hospitality, restaurant and tourism industries.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $838,680,283 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of California. California qualified for its full share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist recent entrants to the workforce, part-time workers and workers who become unemployed because of compelling family reasons.

Company added to Severe Violator Enforcement Program

NEW CUMBERLAND, W.Va. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited AL Solutions Inc. for exposing workers to workplace safety and health hazards following an explosion and fire at the company's New Cumberland facility that caused the deaths of three workers.

PHENIX CITY, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today proposed penalties of $1,939,000 to the Phenix Lumber Co. and its principal, John M. Dudley, for egregious and other safety violations, including exposing employees to amputation and fall hazards.

Prior to these citations, Phenix Lumber had been cited 77 times by OSHA for serious safety and health violations since 2007.

CAL Construction and owner debarred from federal contracts for 3 years

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,263,164 National Emergency Grant increment to continue services for about 1,050 workers affected by layoffs at Monaco Coach Corp. in Coburg, Ore.

"Today's release of additional funding means that former employees of Monaco Coach will continue to receive case management and training services to help them better compete for new jobs," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

Date of Action: June 13, 2011

Name(s) of Defendant(s): The Open Webs Corp.

Allegations

Date of Action:  June 9, 2011

Type of Action:  Consent order and judgment

Name(s) of Defendant: Susan Joos and the Joos Electric Co. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust

Lessard Brothers Construction employees exposed to 23-foot falls

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 427,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 426,000. The 4-week moving average was 424,000, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average of 426,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending May 28, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON – The White House today announced the establishment of the first White House Rural Council. While rural communities face challenges, they also present economic potential. To address these challenges, build on the administration's rural economic strategy and improve the implementation of that strategy, the president signed an executive order establishing the White House Rural Council.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointments of four additional members to the Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy.

The new members include Veda Shook, president of the Association of Flight Attendants; Raymond Hair, president of the American Federation of Musicians; Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association; and Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a competition for grants totaling more than $5 million through the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program to provide approximately 3,000 homeless veterans with job training and other services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

HAMMONTON, N.J. — In two separate actions, administrative law judges have ordered Columbia Fruit Farms Inc., its owners Anthony DiMeo and William DiMeo, and crew leader Sorel Rinvil to pay $28,449 plus interest in civil money penalties to resolve violations found during investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division dating back to 2008.

AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Department of Labor today filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services' Child Protective Services Division in Austin for failing to pay 800 current and former investigators and case workers overtime compensation as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit seeks back wages of more than $1 million, plus liquidated damages.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas - The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that Michael Doggett, business representative for the Carpenters Local Union 502 in Port Arthur, has been sentenced to five months in prison and ordered to make $39,324 in restitution payments for embezzling from a union benefit plan.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of eight new members to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. The committee members will serve two-year terms and represent the interests of the public, employers, employees and government.

The 15-member committee meets at least twice a year. The eight newly appointed members will join seven re-appointed members.

Partnership includes UAW, ACH and MIOSHA

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Dr. David Michaels has signed an agreement renewing OSHA's partnership with Ford Motor Co., the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America and Automotive Component Holdings LLC, and welcoming the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a new partner.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,276,514 National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding struck Kentucky in April.

"People in Kentucky are still reeling from the devastation of recent storms," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The department's grant will help affected communities as they begin cleanup and repair efforts."