MOBILE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited fiberglass pipe manufacturer RPS Composites Alabama Inc. for safety and health violations after an employee suffered a finger amputation. The company faces $74,833 in proposed penalties.

In the week ending February 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 230,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 221,000 to 223,000. The 4-week moving average was 228,500, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 224,500 to 225,000.

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ERLANGER, KY – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Erlanger-based plumbing contractor D&B Plumbing has paid $73,470 in back wages, overtime, and fringe benefits to eight employees. Investigators determined the company violated labor provisions of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).

ANN ARBOR, MI – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that Min & Kim Inc., an Ann Arbor restaurant doing business as Seoul Garden of Ann Arbor, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Min & Kim Inc. was ordered by a federal court to pay $112,212 in back wages to 27 employees to resolve alleged federal wage violations, including failure to pay overtime and maintain accurate payroll and time records.

TROY, MI – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation, Nino Salvaggio Fruit and Vegetable Markets—operator of three Detroit-area fruit and vegetable markets—has agreed to pay $135,657 in back overtime wages and interest to 212 employees to resolve a federal lawsuit.  

HAINES CITY, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), landscaper Southern Sod will pay $79,758 in back wages and liquidated damages to 70 employees. The WHD investigation found the company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the release of President Trump’s proposal to invest in American infrastructure:

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today commented on President Donald J. Trump’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor. Through targeted investments and common sense reforms, the Department’s budget request supports the President’s continued efforts to create good, safe jobs for the American people.

CHICAGO, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with U.S. Fiduciary Services and three of its subsidiaries that provides for payment of more than $7 million to 42 retirement plans that suffered losses as a result of investments in fictitious loans made by Florida-based First Farmers Financial LLC (FFF).

HARTFORD, CT – After an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and Office of Inspector General (OIG), Yolanda Silverio, a former eligibility coordinator for a Connecticut company that administers trust funds for public and private sector health benefit plans, has been sentenced by the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut to 10 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

BIRMINGHAM, AL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Taziki’s Restaurants LLC – which operates 14 restaurants in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia – has paid $135,844 to 26 employees to resolve violations of overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

JENKINTOWN, PA – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment ordering Jenkintown-based Metro Kitchen Bar Inc. and its owner to pay $25,902 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 50 employees. Investigators found that Metro Kitchen Bar Inc.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – After an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Palm Shores Retirement Community Inc. will pay $181,663 in back wages to 454 employees for violating the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

MANVEL, TX – After an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Redman Communications Inc. will pay $63,132 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 53 employees to resolve violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

HOUSTON, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, DC Broadway Inc. – operator of Don Carlos Mexican Restaurants – will pay $97,080 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 24 employees to resolve violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

NEW YORK, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Carthage Specialty Paperboard Inc., have a reached a settlement agreement to improve efforts to prevent safety and health hazards in their Carthage, New York, facility. The company will pay $175,000 in penalties.

BAY MINETTE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited MPV Morganton Pressure Vessels North Carolina LLC, for exposing employees to fire, explosion, laceration, and struck-by hazards. The Bay Minette metal tank manufacturer faces proposed penalties of $101,800.

In the week ending February 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 221,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 230,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,500, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 234,500. This is the lowest level for this average since March 10, 1973 when it was 222,000.

DALTON, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited First Source Worldwide LLC for several workplace safety hazards that put employees at risk of injury. The company faces proposed penalties of $256,088.

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Southern Illinois Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program (CJAP) have signed an alliance to provide members of the St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council (CRC) with training and resources to prevent common construction injuries.