HOOVER, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited two Alabama contractors – OLA Inc. and Calloway Inc. – for exposing employees to excavation hazards after two workers suffered fatal injuries in a trench collapse on a residential project in Hoover, Alabama. The contractors face $88,482 in penalties.

AUGUSTA, ME – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently signed a two-year alliance with the Maine Department of Labor, Workplace Safety and Health Division (SafetyWorks!), and the Maine School of Masonry to promote worker safety in the masonry industry.

In the week ending January 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 216,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 12,000 from 211,000 to 223,000. The 4-week moving average was 214,500, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 3,000 from 213,250 to 216,250.  

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is providing up to $27.2 million in grant funding to help Mexico meet its labor obligations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), including the effective enforcement of its labor laws and addressing child labor and forced labor in its supply chains.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):

“Thanks to the unyielding dedication of President Trump, the United States will now have a fair and reciprocal trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. USMCA will bring jobs, increased trade and stronger economic growth to our already record-setting economy, growing GDP by as much as $235 billion and adding as many as 500,000 new jobs.

BELLEVILLE, MI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Charter Township of Van Buren has paid $54,945 in back wages to 48 current and former employees for violations of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

HAMILTON, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Midwest Ammunition LLC for 19 serious safety and health violations after one employee suffered a fatal injury, and another suffered serious injuries in a fire and explosion on July 22, 2019, at the Hamilton, Ohio, company. OSHA proposed penalties of $211,768.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Elite Road Service LLC – based in Clinton Township, Michigan – has paid $58,551 in back wages to 66 current and former employees to resolve violations of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is commemorating the centennial anniversary of the Women’s Bureau – one of the department’s longest-serving agencies – with a yearlong celebration that marks its establishment in 1920. 

BALA CYNWYD, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Webb Contractor Corp. for exposing employees to fall hazards at three separate worksites in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, area. The roofing contractor, based in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, faces $605,371 in penalties.

SOLON, IA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), E & J Electric Inc. – based in Solon, Iowa, and operates as both E & J Electric Inc. & E & J Geothermal Inc. – has paid $126,420 in back wages to 25 current and former employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $22 million in new grant funding to promote labor law enforcement and help end exploitative labor practices in at least five trade partner countries. The funds will support projects to combat abusive labor practices, including the use of child labor, forced labor and human trafficking. New technical assistance will also support trade partners’ compliance with the labor requirements of U.S.

DELAIR, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Aluminum Shapes LLC for workplace safety and health hazards after a crane operator was injured in August 2019 at the aluminum manufacturer’s Delair, New Jersey, foundry. The company faces $169,524 in penalties for these violations.

ORLANDO, FL – In a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Shooting Gallery Range Inc. – a shooting range based in Orlando, Florida – has agreed to pay an employee $30,000 in back wages and compensatory damages. The settlement is reflected in a U.S. District Court consent judgment issued January 24, 2020.

HARMONY, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Metarko Excavating LLC for exposing employees to trenching hazards at a Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, worksite. The company faces $59,311 in penalties.

PHOENIX, AZ –  After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Chuy’s Mesquite Broiler – a restaurant based in Tucson, Arizona – will pay $114,964 in back wages and damages to 55 employees and $20,372 in civil penalties for violating minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

LOS ANGELES, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Care Center on Hazeltine LLC – a healthcare center in Van Nuys, California – has paid $13,640 in lost wages and liquidated damages to a former employee after the employer violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

GLENCOE, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Goose Lake Construction Inc. after an employee suffered serious injuries when an unprotected trench collapsed, burying him up to his waist at a Glencoe, Illinois, worksite. OSHA proposed penalties of $233,377.

In the week ending January 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 211,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 204,000 to 205,000. The 4-week moving average was 213,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 216,250 to 216,500.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced incremental funding of $4,000,000 for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant to the North Carolina Department of Commerce in response to Hurricane Florence in September 2018.

Funds will allow participants to complete remaining disaster-relief activities in 18 counties declared eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program.