SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending November 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 410,000, a decrease of 41,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 451,000. The 4-week moving average was 396,250, an increase of 9,500 from the previous week's revised average of 386,750.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the Transgender Day of Remembrance, memorializing transgender Americans who have lost their lives as a result of violence:

"The Transgender Day of Remembrance will be commemorated in cities and countries around the world today, reflecting on those who have died as a result of fear, hate and transphobia.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Dos Taquitos Mexican Restaurant in Raleigh has agreed to pay 26 employees $48,125 in back wages following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage, overtime, child labor and record-keeping provisions.

Fuquay-Varina, N.C. — RJ Concrete Inc. of Fuquay-Varina has agreed to pay 12 current and former employees $37,783 in back wages following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that identified violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's overtime and record-keeping provisions. RJ Concrete is a contractor engaged in the construction of residential basements.

Washington – The Obama administration moved forward today to implement provisions in the health care law that would make it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. The provisions of the Affordable Care Act also would make it easier for consumers to compare health plans, and employers to promote and encourage employee wellness.

WASHINGTON – The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security, Phyllis C. Borzi, today provided the following information about compliance with employee benefit plan rules for those adversely impacted by Hurricane Sandy:  

WASHINGTON — Due to a postponement caused by Hurricane Sandy, the final meeting of the year of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council, has been rescheduled for Nov. 26-27 at U.S. Department of Labor locations in Washington, D.C. 20210.

WASHINGTON — Officials of the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, the New York State Labor Department and the New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman's Office today signed memoranda of understanding to protect the rights of employees by preventing their misclassification as independent contractors or other nonemployee statuses.

WASHINGTON — Officials of the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, the New York State Labor Department and the New York State Attorney General Eric T.

WASHINGTON – As part of its ongoing commitment to state and local partners affected by Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Department of Labor has approved a $1,830,620 National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in Connecticut.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and other major sales events during the holiday season.

In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after-Thanksgiving Day Black Friday sales event. OSHA recommends that retailers follow certain safeguards against this type of tragedy.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending November 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 439,000, an increase of 78,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 361,000. The 4-week moving average was 383,750, an increase of 11,750 from the previous week's revised average of 372,000.

AUSTIN, Texas — Los Poblanitos LLC, doing business as Panaderia Chuy Bakery, has paid a total of $244,770 in back wages owed to 101 restaurant and bakery employees at two of the company's locations in Austin. The unpaid wages resulted from violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping provisions that were uncovered during an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.

Investigations find contractors on federally funded project violated Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $213,000 in back wages for 1,028 foreign students employed in summer jobs in Palmyra where they repackaged candies for promotional displays. The settlement with The SHS Group, LP, the Council for Educational Travel-USA, and Exel Inc. resolves federal minimum wage and overtime violations, and also resolves $143,000 in fines for safety and health violations found at an Exel-operated facility in Palmyra.

AKRON, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to enforce a final decision and order issued to North Canton-based trucking company Star Air and owner Robert R. Custer for terminating two truck drivers in violation of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act's whistleblower provisions. The company has been ordered to pay $612,205.

NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a settlement that includes the payment of nearly $220 million to compensate employee benefit plans and other investors that suffered losses through investments in Bernard L. Madoff's Ponzi scheme. The settlement is pending approval by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and resolves department litigation, actions brought by New York's attorney general, and several private lawsuits and class actions brought on behalf of plans and other investors that invested with Madoff.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today released the following statement encouraging U.S. employers to commemorate the Veterans Day holiday Monday by making a commitment to hiring veterans:

"On Monday, America will celebrate the sacrifices of the men and women who've served their country in the armed forces. I strongly believe that the best way we can honor our veterans is to employ them.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending November 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 355,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 363,000. The 4-week moving average was 370,500, an increase of 3,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 367,250.

Whistleblower investigation found violations of the federal Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century