Lessard Brothers Construction employees exposed to 23-foot falls

WASHINGTON – The White House today announced the establishment of the first White House Rural Council. While rural communities face challenges, they also present economic potential. To address these challenges, build on the administration's rural economic strategy and improve the implementation of that strategy, the president signed an executive order establishing the White House Rural Council.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 427,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 426,000. The 4-week moving average was 424,000, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average of 426,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending May 28, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointments of four additional members to the Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy.

The new members include Veda Shook, president of the Association of Flight Attendants; Raymond Hair, president of the American Federation of Musicians; Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association; and Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a competition for grants totaling more than $5 million through the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program to provide approximately 3,000 homeless veterans with job training and other services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

HAMMONTON, N.J. — In two separate actions, administrative law judges have ordered Columbia Fruit Farms Inc., its owners Anthony DiMeo and William DiMeo, and crew leader Sorel Rinvil to pay $28,449 plus interest in civil money penalties to resolve violations found during investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division dating back to 2008.

AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Department of Labor today filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services' Child Protective Services Division in Austin for failing to pay 800 current and former investigators and case workers overtime compensation as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit seeks back wages of more than $1 million, plus liquidated damages.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas - The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that Michael Doggett, business representative for the Carpenters Local Union 502 in Port Arthur, has been sentenced to five months in prison and ordered to make $39,324 in restitution payments for embezzling from a union benefit plan.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of eight new members to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. The committee members will serve two-year terms and represent the interests of the public, employers, employees and government.

The 15-member committee meets at least twice a year. The eight newly appointed members will join seven re-appointed members.

Partnership includes UAW, ACH and MIOSHA

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Dr. David Michaels has signed an agreement renewing OSHA's partnership with Ford Motor Co., the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America and Automotive Component Holdings LLC, and welcoming the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a new partner.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,276,514 National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding struck Kentucky in April.

"People in Kentucky are still reeling from the devastation of recent storms," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The department's grant will help affected communities as they begin cleanup and repair efforts."

PHILADELPHIA — AstraZeneca, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, will pay $250,000 to 124 women who were subjected to pay discrimination while working at the corporation's Philadelphia Business Center in Wayne, Pa. The action resolves a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor in May 2010 alleging that the company discriminated against female sales specialists by paying them salaries that were, on average, $1,700 less than their male counterparts.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the May 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market continued to add jobs in the month of May. Nonfarm payroll employment added 54,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate registered at 9.1 percent.

"While our rate of job growth slowed last month, we added 83,000 private sector jobs in May, and our economy continues to grow. We've now had 15 straight months of private sector job growth and added 2.1 million jobs over this period.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts that began in October 2010 following destruction in Puerto Rico caused by Tropical Storm Otto.

"Even after months have passed, Puerto Rico is still dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Otto," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The funding being made available today will continue support efforts to restore the island and help its people get back on their feet."

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATAIn the week ending May 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 422,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 428,000. The 4-week moving average was 425,500, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised average of 439,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending May 21, unchanged from the prior week's revised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a one-month period for public comment on a preliminary plan to revise department regulations. Members of the public who wish to provide feedback on the "Preliminary Plan for Retrospective Analysis of Existing Rules" are encouraged to do so via a recently launched Web page — http://www.dol.gov/regulations/regreview.htm — established for that purpose.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced 122 grants totaling more than $28 million to provide approximately 17,000 veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced 22 grants totaling more than $9 million to provide approximately 4,000 veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans Workforce Investment Program to continue successful programs into second and third years.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants of $1,170,000 each to 10 organizations to provide training, employment and support services to adult former inmates returning to their communities after serving time in justice facilities.

"The grants announced today are an investment not just in the futures of former inmates, but also in the communities and families to which they are returning," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $20 million to fund programs that will improve education, training and employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities. A solicitation for grant applications is published in today's edition of the Federal Register.