WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking focusing on lifetime income illustrations given to participants in defined contribution pension plans such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans. The ANPRM provides an opportunity for stakeholders to provide early input into the development of regulations.

Date of Action: May 3, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Names of Defendant: Timothy Masek and Grand Craft LLC as fiduciaries to the Grand Craft LLC 401(k) Plan in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Allegations: Masek and Grand Craft LLC, in their capacity as fiduciaries failed to remit and timely remit 2008 and 2009 participant contributions to the Grand Craft LLC 401(k) Plan.  These funds remained part of the company’s general assets and were used for business expenses.

Date of Action: May 6, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint and consent order and judgment

Name(s) of Defendant (s): Dr. Robert B. Chambliss and Robert B. Chambliss, M.D., PLLC

BROUSSARD, La. — Hutco Inc., a major industrial services employment agency, has agreed to pay $1,916,850 in back wages to 2,267 employees assigned to client work sites throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. An investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found that the company utilized improper pay and record-keeping practices that resulted in employees being denied overtime compensation in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

WASHINGTON — An open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council, will take place June 4-6 at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210.

On June 4, the meeting will be held in Suite N-4437. On June 5-6, it will be held in Suite C-5521, Room 4. It will run from 9 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m. EDT June 4-5 and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT June 6.

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris issued the following statement about the April 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

14 minority job applicants in Jefferson, La., to receive back pay, job offers

JEFFERSON, La. — Bertucci Contracting Co. LLC, a federal construction contractor, has settled allegations of hiring discrimination against minority job applicants at its Jefferson facility.

TULSA, Okla. – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Tulsa-based dentist Dr. Debra S. Gill and her company, Debra S. Gill, DDS, PC in an effort to recover more than $15,000 in employee retirement funds. The department’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Oklahoma, alleges that Gill violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 by using assets belonging to the employee retirement plan for the benefit of the company. 

Date of Action: April 30, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Covenant Equipment Corporation, doing business as Wholesale Fork Lifts Inc., and Mark Sowka

Date of Action: April 25, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): William Bowman and William Bowman Associates Inc. profit sharing 401(k) plan

Workers' Memorial Day remembers those who died on the job

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced an initiative to further protect temporary employees from workplace hazards. The announcement was made during a program at the department's headquarters marking Workers' Memorial Day – an annual observance to honor workers who have died on the job and renew a commitment to making work sites across the country safer.

WASHINGTON — Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and Paula Alfone, mid-Atlantic director of the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, today signed an alliance agreement to promote the employment of people with disabilities throughout the higher education community. The two organizations are combining their expertise to increase recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement at colleges, universities, hospitals, research labs, government agencies and related organizations.

Date of Action: April 26, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Jane E. Lehman, Teletrans Services, Inc., and Teletrans Services, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan in Green Bay, Wis.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 155 citations and two orders during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines last month, representing the lowest number of orders issued during targeted monthly inspections over nearly three years.

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today issued the following statement regarding Wednesday's deadly building collapse in Bangladesh:

"Yesterday, well over 200 people, many of them young garment workers, lost their lives in the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in the Savar section of Dhaka, Bangladesh. I join U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan M. Mozena in offering my condolences to the victims, their families and the people of Bangladesh.

Agreement includes more than $130,000 in back wages for 200 male applicants and 18 job offers

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today released a summary of U.S. mining deaths that occurred during the first quarter of calendar year 2013.

WASHINGTON – An April 30 webinar will provide tips and tools to help college seniors and young workers learn to budget for today’s needs and tomorrow’s goals. “Start Early to Take Charge of Your Financial Future” will be held from 3-4 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 30.

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today announced the availability of $474.5 million to create and expand innovative partnerships between community colleges and businesses to educate and train workers with the skills employers need. This third round of funding since 2009 under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grants program brings total investments to nearly $1.5 billion.

Date of Action: April 18, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment