Driver and family lost income, critical health care coverage when company changed hands

PHOENIX — A U.S. district court judge in Phoenix by a consent judgment has ordered that an Arizona delivery driver be offered reinstatement and receive back pay and reimbursement of medical expenses under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Department of Labor is suing Empact Medical Services Inc., and its officers Angela Cotter and Elizabeth Gail DeBusk to restore $10,582 in assets to the company’s 401(k) plan that allegedly were mishandled by the defendants in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $770,000 National Emergency Grant increment to continue clean-up and recovery efforts in Vermont following Tropical Storm Irene.

"Vermont continues the difficult, but necessary, work to recover from the damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Jane Oates. "Additional funding from the Labor Department will help Vermont with storm cleanup and also provide temporary work to those in need of employment."

Date of Action: April 9, 2013

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant: Valerie Kreager and Nationwide Wash Systems, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

Allegations: The complaint alleged that Kreager failed to administer the Plan and authorize distributions on behalf of the Plan participants since the company went out of business. The Plan has three participants with combined assets totaling $29,146.30.

Recovery is among largest in department's history

WASHINGTON — Acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today announced that the United States and Guatemala have agreed on a robust enforcement plan to resolve concerns raised in a labor case brought by the United States under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement. The 18-point plan includes concrete actions with specific time frames that Guatemala will implement within six months to improve labor law enforcement.

WASHINGTON — Acting United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Acting Secretary of Labor Seth Harris today announced that the United States and Guatemala have agreed on a robust enforcement plan to resolve concerns raised in a labor case brought by the United States under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The 18-point plan includes concrete actions with specific time frames that Guatemala will implement within six months to improve labor law enforcement.

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today released the U.S. Department of Labor's fiscal year 2014 budget request, which supports President Obama's plan to strengthen the economy and grow the middle class through continued investments in training and resources for job seekers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $17,171,188 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and training services to more than 4,700 workers affected by layoffs from private and public sector employers in Central and Southern California.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Rox Coal Inc., which operates the Geronimo Mine in Somerset County, Pa., has been found in violation of a mandatory electrical hazard safety standard by an administrative law judge with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. The ALJ deemed the violation "quintessentially flagrant" and ordered the company to pay a $110,000 civil penalty.

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris will host a Web-based question-and-answer session on the U.S. Department of Labor's fiscal year 2014 budget request at 2:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 10. He will be joined by assistant secretaries and senior staff.

Information about the department's fiscal year 2014 budget request will be posted at http://www.dol.gov/budget/ at or about 1:30 p.m. EDT on April 10.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $285,804 National Emergency Grant increment to continue re-employment assistance for about 400 workers affected by layoffs while working at the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site in southeastern Washington state.

Date of Action: April 4, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Charles Yaskulski, Eagle Warranty Corp., and Eagle Warranty Corp. profit sharing plan

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the release of preliminary data for 2012 that indicate the lowest fatality and injury rates in the history of U.S. mining.

"MSHA at a Glance," with updated information on inspections, violations, mines and miners, as well as injury and fatality rates, is available on the agency's website, http://www.msha.gov, under "Fact Sheets."

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

"With the addition of 95,000 new private sector jobs in March, we see more evidence that the U.S. economy continues to bounce back, but not quickly enough for too many middle-class families. The unemployment rate ticked downward slightly to 7.6 percent, the seventh consecutive month below 8 percent.

Groups nationwide invited to compete for up to $5 million in funds

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program grants. Approximately 2,600 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

Date of Action: March 29, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Eugene Kiser, Moniquea Scott, KIP Corp.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $26 million in grants to improve the long-term labor market prospects of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The "Face Forward"grants are designed to give youth a chance at success by offering support services, training and skills development that can help them obtain employment and overcome the stigma of a juvenile record.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today transmitted to Congress the third annual report on self-insured employee health benefit plans. The report, which is established by the Affordable Care Act, contains general information on self-insured employee health benefit plans and financial information on the employers that sponsor them.

US Labor Department briefs offer recommendations for responding to aging workforce

WASHINGTON — Providing accommodations to aging workers with disabilities, chronic health problems or reduced work capacity can help employers retain experienced staff who might otherwise leave the workforce prematurely, according to two briefs issued today by the U.S. Department of Labor.