July 2, 2014

OSHA News Release: Massachusetts employer sued by US Department of Labor agrees to pay worker who was discharged after filing OSHA complaint [07/02/2014]

BOSTON — Donald Pottern, doing business as Crown Furniture, will pay a former employee $12,500 and take other corrective action to resolve an anti-discrimination lawsuit filed in May by the U.S. Department of Labor.

July 2, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA fines Dollar Tree Stores $177,800 for exposing employees to serious safety hazards at Massachusetts store [07/02/2014]

BRAINTREE, Mass. — Employees at the Dollar Tree Stores Inc. location in Boston's Roslindale neighborhood repeatedly faced the dangers of blocked exits and hazardous conditions in the store's stockroom, according to an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Dollar Tree Stores faces a total of $177,800 in proposed fines following a complaint inspection by OSHA's Braintree Area Office.

July 2, 2014

OSHA News Release: TLD Ace Corp. cited for exposing workers to fall, fire and electrical hazards [07/02/2014]

HARTFORD, Conn. — An inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found that workers at the TLD Ace Corp. manufacturing plant in Windsor were exposed to potential falls, burns and electric shock due to missing or inadequate safeguards at the company's manufacturing plant.

July 2, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA cites JA Siding Construction Services for repeat and serious safety violations for exposing workers to fall hazards [07/02/2014]

SMYRNA, Ga. — Jose M. Hernandez Cruz, doing business as JA Siding Construction Services LLC, of Marietta, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for three repeat and four serious safety violations. Citations were issued to the employer for exposing workers to falls and other hazards while employees were installing siding at a new residence on Westwood Road SE in Smyrna. OSHA began its inspection in February 2014 as part of the region's emphasis program on falls in construction. Penalties total $42,240.

July 2, 2014

MSHA News Release: Roof fall accidents remain a leading cause of coal mining injuries [07/02/2014]

ARLINGTON, Va. — Although improvements in roof control technology have led to a significant decrease in accidents related to roof and rib (wall) falls, such accidents are still a leading cause of injuries in underground coal mines, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration.

July 1, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA and Project BEST establish alliance to educate and protect Ohio construction workers [07/01/2014]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established an alliance with Project BEST (Building Efficiency by Striving Together) to help protect construction workers from four hazards: falls, struck-by, caught-in and electrical.

July 1, 2014

Judge orders Pro Systems Corp. Group Health Plan to repay more than $200,000 to clients for failing to disclose use of health care fees

MINNEAPOLIS — A consent judgment entered in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota has returned a total of $203,212 to clients of the Pro Systems Corp. Group Health Plan. The company provided health care services for clients of Detroit Lakes-based Pro Systems, PRO Resources and MICROPRO. The judgment resolves a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act for failing to disclose to clients that some fees collected for insurance costs were used for nonhealth plan purposes.

June 30, 2014

WHD News Release: New York City restaurant chain to pay nearly $1 million in back wages and damages following a US Department of Labor investigation [06/30/2014]

NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordering the restaurant chain Manna's to pay a total of $956,482 in back wages and liquidated damages to 85 low-wage workers following an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division. The restaurant chain, owned by Betty Park, Kenny H.

June 30, 2014

OSHA News Release: San Antonio fruit processor and staffing agency cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for exposing temporary workers to serious hazards [06/30/2014]

SAN ANTONIO — Fresh From Texas Inc., a fresh fruit and vegetable processer for H-E-B Grocery stores and fast-food markets, and staffing agency iWorks Personnel Inc. have been cited for 18 violations by the U.S.

June 30, 2014

OSHA News Release: Two Colorado Pep Boys auto centers cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for serious and repeat safety violations [06/30/2014]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Two Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack of Delaware Inc. work sites in Aurora and Lone Tree were cited for two repeat and one serious violation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to abate previously cited violations and continuing to expose workers to hazards from dangerous equipment. OSHA began its inspection of the automotive service centers in December 2013 after receiving a worker complaint. Proposed penalties total $58,300.

June 30, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on Harris v. Quinn Supreme Court ruling [06/30/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's Harris v. Quinn decision:

"Home care workers do heroic work, providing high-quality, compassionate care that allows seniors and people with disabilities to live at home with independence and dignity.

June 30, 2014

ETA News Release: $1M grant to assist Massachusetts workers affected by the closure of Haemonetics awarded by US Labor Department [06/30/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,064,034 grant to assist approximately 148 workers affected by layoffs at Haemonetics Corp., located in Braintree, Massachusetts.

"Workers impacted by these layoffs will need assistance to gain suitable employment in new industries and occupations," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This federal grant we're awarding today will help these individuals by providing a full array of re-employment services, opening up paths to new careers."

June 30, 2014

ETA News Release: $1.5M grant to assist workers affected by H.J. Heinz Co. layoffs in Pocatello, Idaho, announced by US Labor Department [06/30/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,593,803 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to approximately 330 workers affected by the closure of the H.J. Heinz Co. LP facility, located in Pocatello, Idaho.

"This federal grant will help Idahoans receive the job training and assistance needed to obtain new middle-class jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "During this time of transition for these workers, this support is vital to helping them continue to climb the ladder of success."

June 30, 2014

ILAB News Release: US Labor Department officials attend Labor Subcommittee meeting under US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement [06/30/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and their Government of Jordan counterparts met and issued a joint statement regarding the second Labor Subcommittee meeting under the U.S-Jordan Free Trade Agreement in Amman, Jordan.

June 26, 2014

ETA News Release: $154.8M awarded to 32 states, Puerto Rico and the Cherokee tribal nation to implement or expand job-driven training programs for laid-off workers [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $154,757,547 awarded to 32 states, Puerto Rico and the Cherokee tribal nation through the Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program. The funding will be used to train workers who lost a job through no fault of their own for jobs in high-demand industries.

June 26, 2014

VETS News Release: $36M in job-training grants to help 12,000 homeless veterans awarded by US Labor Department [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today announced grants totaling $36,710,368 awarded to 156 organizations nationwide to provide more than 12,000 veterans with training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the department's Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program, administered by the Veterans' Employment and Training Service.

June 26, 2014

ODEP News Release: $1.85M in funding now available to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities from US Labor Department [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the availability of $1,850,000 to fund a cooperative agreement to manage and operate the National Employer Policy, Research and Technical Assistance Center on the Employment of People with Disabilities.

The center will increase the commitment and capacity of employers to recruit, hire, retain and advance people with disabilities by:

June 26, 2014

ODEP News Release: $2M in funding now available from US Labor Department to enhance employment and career opportunities for youth with disabilities [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the availability of $2,083,300 for two cooperative agreements to improve post-secondary education and employment opportunities for youth with disabilities through the Pathways to Careers: Community Colleges for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Demonstration Project.

June 26, 2014

MSHA News Release: MSHA announces results of May impact inspections [06/26/2014]

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 172 citations, 21 orders and two safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and two metal and nonmetal mines in May.

June 26, 2014

ETA News Release: $154.8M awarded to 32 states, Puerto Rico and the Cherokee tribal nation to implement or expand job-driven training programs for laid-off workers [06/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $154,757,547 awarded to 32 states, Puerto Rico and the Cherokee tribal nation through the Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program. The funding will be used to train workers who lost a job through no fault of their own for jobs in high-demand industries.