WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $2,497,927 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to Maine to continue to provide services to hundreds of federal civilian and secondarily-impacted workers affected by a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today released state-by-state figures on the number of individuals who will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming days if Congress fails to extend unemployment insurance benefits.

Editors Note: The Senate recessed today, Feb. 26, without approving legislation that would have extended emergency unemployment insurance benefits for workers who have lost their jobs and health insurance subsidies under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. The current program is scheduled to expire on Feb. 28.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement:

Washington – Today, at a White House forum hosted by Vice President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Labor announced two new rules designed to enhance retirement security and transparency for the millions of workers covered by 401(k), pension and other retirement arrangements. The announcement was part of the White House Middle Class Task Force's year-end report, which the vice president released at this morning's event.

U.S. Labor Department sues to protect Utah retirement assets in bankruptcy proceeding

Salt Lake City – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed an adversary complaint in federal bankruptcy court in Utah to prevent Victor Jay Miller from discharging $26,964.51 in employee contributions owed to the Allwest Sales & Service Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension Plan.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 2,700 workers from companies in nine states Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 496,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 474,000. The 4-week moving average was 473,750, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised average of 467,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Feb. 13, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor, along with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, has re-launched a new and improved National Resource Directory Web site for America's wounded warriors, their caregivers, other members of the veteran community and employers. The directory provides access to thousands of services and other resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

Washington - The U. S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced monetary results of $1.36 billion in fiscal year 2009 for retirement, health, and other employee benefits plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

EBSA closed 3,669 civil investigations in FY 2009. In over 72% of those cases, the agency found violations and obtained correction. Criminal offenses involving employee benefit plans led to indictment of 115 individuals.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,324,672 grant to assist about 275 workers affected by layoffs at Dell Computer's call center in Twin Falls, Idaho.

"This grant will provide important re-employment and retraining services to help workers in Idaho access job opportunities in expanding fields," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) today announced that it is publishing two related requests for information (RFIs) from the public in advance of developing reports to Congress and the president. One RFI seeks information on goods produced in foreign countries by child labor, forced labor, and/or forced or indentured child labor. The other focuses on certain countries' efforts to implement their international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7,543,200 grant to assist about 1,120 workers affected by layoffs from multiple companies in the aviation, construction, health care, manufacturing and retail industries in south central Kansas. The majority of the layoffs were from four companies in the area's aviation manufacturing industry: Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft Corp.

Washington – The U. S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) announced new outreach and compliance assistance efforts for 403(b) pension plans subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The initiatives are part of the agency's ongoing compliance assistance program to help employers, plan officials and service providers.

Meridian, Mississippi – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with Grady Coleman of Meridian that requires the certified public accountant to refrain from present and future service as a fiduciary or service provider to any employee benefit plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Dallas – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the owner of defunct TMPR Inc. of Dallas for improperly using employee contributions and loan repayments owed to the Cliff Management 401(k) Plan for the benefit of the company.

“Employers and their executives will be held accountable by the Labor Department when they misuse the hard-earned retirement assets of America’s workers and retirees,” said Roger Hilburn, director of the Dallas Regional Office of the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 3,000 workers from companies in 17 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 473,000, an increase of 31,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 442,000. The 4-week moving average was 467,500, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 469,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Feb. 6, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

Company could face a 2-year debarment from participating in H-1B program

NEWARK, N.J. — The U.S. Department of Labor has cited Peri Software Solutions Inc. and Sarib Perisamya, president and owner, for alleged violations of the H-1B provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, uncovering $1,456,422 in back wages due to 163 workers.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today visited the Labor's Community Service Agency (LCSA) in Phoenix, Ariz. YouthBuild students at LCSA are working to retrofit a building using green construction skills acquired in a training program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), which is one-year old today.

Owner pleads guilty to related criminal charge

WASHINGTON, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined the C.A. Franc construction company $539,000 following the investigation of a roofing worker who fell 40 feet to his death at a Washington worksite. The Valencia, Pa.-based roof installer – whose owner is Christopher A. Franc – was cited for 10 per-instance willful citations for failing to protect workers from falls.