June 25, 2014

OPA News Release: LGBT literature, authors highlighted for Pride Month as part of Labor Department's Books that Shaped Work in America project [06/25/2014]

WASHINGTON — From George Chauncey's "Gay New York" to Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass," work-related lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender literature and authors whose books focus on work are being highlighted for LGBT Pride Month as part of the U.S. Department of Labor's Books that Shaped Work in America.

June 24, 2014

OSHA News Release: Alabama insulation manufacturer cited for repeat and serious violations after US Department of Labor OSHA inspection [06/24/2014]

PHENIX CITY, Ala. — Industrial Insulation Group LLC was cited for five serious safety and health violations following an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The violations include failing to protect workers from the dangers of caustic chemicals. The agency began the inspection after receiving a complaint in January 2014 concerning these hazardous working conditions. Proposed penalties total $41,800.

June 24, 2014

ETA News Release: Workers affected by layoffs at Maine Military Authority to receive additional assistance from US Labor Department [06/24/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $157,430 in supplemental funding to continue the provision of employment-related services to workers affected by layoffs at the Maine Military Authority, located in Limestone, Maine.

"The workers who were laid off from the Maine Military Authority continue their efforts to secure new employment," said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Portia Wu. "Access to employment services through Labor Department funding is crucial to helping them succeed in today's challenging labor market."

June 24, 2014

ETA News Release: $1.9M in grants to support women in nontraditional occupations announced by US Labor Department [06/24/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $1,938,182 in grants to help women through the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations program, an initiative designed to recruit, train and retain women in high-skill occupations in advanced manufacturing, transportation, energy, construction, information technology and other industries.

June 24, 2014

ETA News Release: $68.7M awarded to fund re-employment and eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance claimants in 40 states and territories [06/24/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $68,745,912 to 37 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia to implement or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance beneficiaries.

June 23, 2014

WHD News Release: Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, to pay $800,000 in minimum wage back wages, liquidated damages following US Labor Department investigation [06/23/2014]

AMARILLO, Texas — Big Texan Steak Ranch has agreed to pay $650,000 in minimum wage back wages and $150,000 in liquidated damages to 279 current and former wait staff following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage and record-keeping provisions. Violations stemmed from an illegal tip pooling arrangement by the restaurant.

June 23, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA and Habitat for Humanity-Omaha establish partnership to protect volunteer workers from construction hazards [06/23/2014]

OMAHA, Neb.Habitat for Humanity-Omaha and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration have established a partnership to provide a safe and healthful work environment for employees, volunteers and subcontractors involved in residential construction projects. The partnership will include a requirement for any person working on a construction site to receive a site-specific construction safety orientation addressing hazards and safety procedures.

June 23, 2014

OSHA News Release: Construction Trailer Specialists cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for exposing workers to amputation, other serious hazards [06/23/2014]

SIKESTON, Mo. — Construction Trailer Specialists has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 21—including four repeat— safety and health violations for failing to protect workers from amputation, electrical and other hazards. OSHA has proposed penalties of $82,390 for the company based in Sikeston.

June 23, 2014

OSHA News Release: Denver-area residential roofing contractors are failing to provide necessary fall safety protection to workers [06/23/2014]

DENVER — The residential roofing industry in Denver and area communities, including Pueblo and Colorado Springs, is being cited in record numbers for failing to keep workers safe by providing necessary fall prevention equipment and training. In addition to its own outreach effort on fall prevention, the U.S.

June 23, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA follow-up inspection finds Birdsboro Kosher Farms Corp. still violating safety standards [06/23/2014]

BIRDSBORO, Pa. — After a follow-up inspection that began in December 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Birdsboro Kosher Farms Corp. for failing to correct previously cited serious safety violations found at the kosher poultry processing facility in Birdsboro. Following the inspection, the company faces $59,400 in proposed penalties.

June 20, 2014

WHD News Release: Proposed rule to extend Family Medical Leave Act protections to all eligible employees in same-sex marriages announced by US Labor Secretary [06/20/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez announced today a proposed rule extending the protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act to all eligible employees in legal same-sex marriages regardless of where they live. The proposal would help ensure that all families will have the flexibility to deal with serious medical and family situations without fearing the threat of job loss. Secretary Perez is proposing this rule in light of the Supreme Court's decision in United States v.

June 19, 2014

OWCP News Release: US Department of Labor to host town hall meetings in Moab, Utah, on June 24 and 25 to assist nuclear weapons workers [06/19/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will host two town hall meetings on Tuesday, June 24, and Wednesday, June 25, in Moab, Utah, to provide the public with information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and the medical benefits available under the program. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons and uranium mining industries.

June 19, 2014

OSHA News Release: Florida's GLF Construction Corp. cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for 14 serious safety violations following worker death [06/19/2014]

LAMONT, Fla. — On Jan. 16, 2014, David Kimberl, an 18-year-old laborer, was crushed to death when a bridge panel weighing nearly 1,800 pounds fell on him while he was dismantling a section of the old Aucilla River Bridge on U.S. 98 in Lamont. Kimberl was on the job for one week and had never worked in bridge construction. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited GLF Construction Corp. for 14 safety violations following its investigation of the fatality.

June 19, 2014

OSHA News Release: Sonic Creations Inc. cited for repeat and serious safety violations following US Department of Labor OSHA inspection [06/19/2014]

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. — Sonic Creations Inc., of Destin, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for three repeat and two serious safety violations for failing to provide workers who were framing houses with required protection from falls. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry and are responsible for thousands of serious injuries each year. Following an inspection in January 2014, OSHA issued citations at the Water Color subdivision in Santa Rosa Beach. Penalties total $53,020.

June 19, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA cites cereal manufacturer for exposing permanent and temporary workers to serious safety hazards [06/19/2014]

MACON, Ga. — California Cereal Products Inc. was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for nine serious safety and health violations for exposing full-time and temporary workers to electrical, fall and noise hazards following an inspection at the company's cereal production facility in Macon. The agency initiated the December 2013 inspection because of a complaint. Penalties total $40,600.

June 19, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA announces summer 'Construction Incident Prevention Initiative' in Delaware [06/19/2014]

PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a "Construction Incident Prevention Initiative" campaign this summer to curb construction fatalities. Compliance officers will focus enforcement effort on construction sites covered by OSHA's Wilmington, Del., Area Office, which includes the state of Delaware.

June 19, 2014

OSHA News Release: New US Department of Labor OSHA initiative aims to protect tree trimming and clearing operation workers in Delaware[06/19/2014]

PHILADELPHIA — In 2012, 243 workers nationwide died while engaging in tree trimming and clearing activities. Reversing this statistic is at the heart of a Regional Emphasis Program announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to reduce workplace fatalities that occur during tree trimming and clearing operations throughout the area covered by OSHA's Wilmington, Del., Area Office, which includes the state of Delaware.

June 19, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement by US Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez on mayors' resolution calling for an increase in the national minimum wage [06/19/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding the resolution under consideration at the meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors in Dallas, Texas, June 20-23 that calls for an increase in the national minimum wage:

June 19, 2014

ETA News Release: $74M in grants to provide employment services for formerly incarcerated adults and youth with juvenile records announced by US Labor Department [06/19/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $74 million in grants to 37 community service organizations to provide employment, training and support services to successfully re-integrate formerly incarcerated adults and youth involved in the juvenile justice system into their communities. Grantees are expected to provide a range of services that include case management, mentoring, education and training that leads to industry-recognized credentials.

June 18, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Texas sawmill for failure-to-abate previous safety violations; workers still exposed to serious hazards [06/18/2014]

HOUSTON, Texas — Gillespie Lumber Ltd. in Nacogdoches was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 13 violations, including seven for failure-to-abate previous violations in an August 2013 inspection. The company continues to expose workers to dangerous, unguarded machines. The proposed penalty for this follow-up inspection, which began in January, is $125,282.00.