May 22, 2013

Court orders default judgment requiring fiduciary to restore losses to TS Randall Company LLC Retirement Savings Plan in Columbus, Ohio

Date of Action: May 20, 2013

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Names of Defendant: Tracy S. Randall, as a fiduciary to the TS Randall Company LLC Retirement Savings Plan, TS Randall Company LLC and the TS Randall Company LLC Retirement Savings Plan.

May 20, 2013

$9 million in funding available from US Labor Department to reduce child labor in Colombia

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $9 million competitive grant solicitation for one or more projects to reduce child labor in the artisanal mining sector of Colombia.

Thousands of children work in Colombia's mining sector, where they labor alongside adults and are exposed to physical injuries, dangerous tools, hazardous substances, toxic gases and explosions. Many people are not aware that children face these hazards.

May 20, 2013

Putnam County Board of Education agrees to organization-wide FMLA compliance, resolving US Labor Department lawsuit

Consent judgment also includes order to pay $50,000 in lost wages to former employee

May 16, 2013

Temporary reinstatement victory for California miner

Mine owner initially refused to comply with judge's order

May 16, 2013

Rigid Oil Field Services in Hydro, Okla., pays more than $51,000 in overtime back wages following US Labor Department investigation

HYDRO, Okla. — Rigid Oil Field Services LLC has agreed to pay $51,839 in overtime back wages to 28 current and former employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found violations of the overtime and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The company misclassified its employees as independent contractors.

May 15, 2013

Vermont and Utah Job Corps students combine skills to create awards honoring service of US Labor Department employees

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,774,736 National Emergency Grant to assist about 350 workers affected by the closure of Comair at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport in Erlanger, Ky. The funding will provide employment services to affected workers who reside in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

May 15, 2013

Grants available from US Labor Department to provide job training, employment services for 1,900 homeless female veterans, veterans with families

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Female Veterans and Veterans with Families grants. Approximately 1,900 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

May 15, 2013

US Department of Labor's OSHA seeks applications for $1.5 million in Susan Harwood safety and health training grants

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, through which a total of $1.5 million is available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations; employer associations; labor unions; joint labor/management associations; and colleges and universities.

May 14, 2013

US Labor Department and consulate general of Honduras sign agreement to protect the rights of Honduran national migrant workers

Agreement covers Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri

NUEVA ORLEANS — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and the consulate general of Honduras today in New Orleans signed an agreement of understanding to combine resources and coordinate efforts to inform employers about the laws enforced by the department and to educate Honduran nationals working in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri about their rights under United States law.

May 14, 2013

Fiduciary restores more than $11,000 to Romaine Inc. 401(k) Plan in Elkhart, Ind.

Date of Action: May 10, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment

Name of Defendant: John A. Levy

Allegations: Levy, in his capacity as a fiduciary to the Romaine Inc. 401(k) Plan, failed to remit $10,286.41 in employee contributions and loan repayments to plan during periods from Jan. 5, 2007, through April 29, 2011. In addition, Levy failed to remit employee contributions and loan repayments to the plan in a timely manner during the same period.

May 13, 2013

US Labor Department to award one or more cooperative agreements to reduce child labor in Rwandas tea sector

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs will award up to $5 million under a competitive grant solicitation for one or more cooperative agreements to address child labor and exploitative working conditions in Rwanda's tea sector. The project will have an area-based approach that targets children, families and workers who are susceptible to child labor.

May 13, 2013

US Department of Labor announces $10 million grant solicitation to address child labor and working conditions in Dominican Republic

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs is seeking eligible applicants for a $10 million cooperative agreement on a project to address child labor, labor rights and working conditions in the Dominican Republic's agricultural sector, including in sugarcane and production supply chains.

May 13, 2013

Judge orders former CEO to restore more than $18,000 to Fresh Start Inc. 401(k) Plan in Cleveland, Ohio

Date of Action: May 10, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment

Names of Defendant: Ruby J. Black, individually and as a fiduciary to the Fresh Start Inc. 401(k) Plan and the Fresh Start, Inc. 401(k) Plan.

May 9, 2013

Vermont and Utah Job Corps students combine skills to create awards honoring service of US Labor Department employees

WASHINGTON – Job Corps students and instructors from Vermont and Utah used recycling and sustainability in creating unique, handcrafted awards honoring the service and dedication of U.S. Department of Labor employees who are recipients of the 2013 Secretary of Labor's Honor Awards.

May 8, 2013

MSHA, New Elk Coal reach settlement

Miner who filed discrimination complaint to receive $115,000

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that New Elk Coal Co. has agreed to pay approximately $115,000 to a miner whose employment was terminated shortly after he filed a hazard complaint. The company also has agreed to pay MSHA a civil penalty of $10,000.

May 8, 2013

US Labor Departments Wage and Hour Division and SUBWAY franchisor collaborate to boost restaurants compliance with federal labor laws

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and the franchisor of the world's largest restaurant chain are collaborating to increase compliance with federal labor laws at SUBWAY locations nationwide. Although these restaurants are independently owned and operated, the franchisor is providing a forum and resources to assist the division in educating franchisees.

May 8, 2013

Harris v. First Restoration Services Inc. involving failure to remit employee contributions to 401(k) retirement plan in Charlotte, NC

Date of Action: May 7, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Name(s) of Defendant(s): First Restoration Services, Inc. and Frank Headen

May 7, 2013

MSHA, US Lime reach settlement in 2010 mine death

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has reached a settlement of $211,002 with U.S. Lime Co. in the May 2010 death of a maintenance manager at St. Clair Mine in Marble City, Okla. The settlement involves 39 citations and orders issued in the wake of the accident and during subsequent mine inspections.

May 7, 2013

United States seeks to protect worker rights under US-Bahrain trade agreement

WASHINGTON — Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris and acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis today announced that the United States has requested consultations with the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain under the Labor Chapter of the United States — Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. The request follows a December 2012 report by the U.S. Department of Labor that highlighted labor issues stemming from the Government of Bahrain's response to civil unrest in early 2011 in Bahrain and recommended actions to address those issues.

May 7, 2013

Join the conversation for change

WASHINGTON — Members of the public are invited to participate in an online dialogue to examine the impact of existing federal regulations and legislation on the successful transition from school to work of youths and young adults with disabilities. The U.S. departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration will host the event May 13-27, and they invite policymakers, service providers, the advocacy community and others to join this conversation to improve transition outcomes.