July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds Oklahoma Manufacturer Exposed Employees to Serious Workplace Hazards

PRYOR, OK – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited HE&M Inc., a Pryor, Oklahoma-based metalworking band saw manufacturer, for exposing employees to fall, machine guarding, struck-by, and electrical hazards. HE&M faces penalties totaling $187,533.

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Additional Funding to North Carolina For Continued Hurricane Florence Recovery

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today approved additional funding for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) awarded to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The funding allows for assessing workforce needs in response to Hurricane Florence, which hit the state in September 2018.

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Dislocated Worker Grant to Illinois For Jobs and Employment Services in Response to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for up to $5,600,000 with $1,866,667 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Illinois impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

July 15, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers and Public To Be Aware of Hazards After Hurricane Barry

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges response crews and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Barry to be aware of hazards created by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees, and storm debris.

July 15, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Dislocated Worker Grant to Indiana For Jobs and Employment Services in Response to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for up to $4,739,794, with $1,579,931 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Indiana impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

July 15, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Proposes to Help America’s Farmers with Rule to Modernize and Improve the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Labor Certification Program

WASHINGTON, DC – Furthering the agenda to help America's farmers, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today is posting online a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to solicit public comment on proposed changes to improve the H-2A temporary agricultural labor certification program.

July 14, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Actions to Assist Americans Impacted By Hurricane Barry

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in states affected by Hurricane Barry.

"The Department of Labor is actively engaged in Administration-wide efforts to help those impacted by Hurricane Barry," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "As Americans come together to help each other, the Department of Labor is committed to supporting recovery efforts."

July 12, 2019

U.S. Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta Submits Resignation to President Trump

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the 27th Secretary of Labor, R. Alexander Acosta, submitted his resignation to President Donald J. Trump, effective Friday, July 19, 2019.

Secretary Acosta's resignation letter is attached.

July 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Awards National Dislocated Worker Grant to California for Disaster Recovery after Severe Storms

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding up to $8,805,300, with $2,935,100 released initially, for the California Department of Employment Development. Funding will be used to assess workforce needs in response to storms in February and March 2019. These storms brought torrential rains, heavy snow, and wind gusts, resulting in widespread flooding, power outages, and severe infrastructure damage.

July 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor to Offer Compliance Seminar On Prevailing Wage Requirements in Sacramento, California

SACRAMENTO, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will offer a compliance seminar in Sacramento, California, for contractors, unions, workers, and other interested parties to provide information on the rules governing federal prevailing wage requirements. The event will offer training on labor standards for federally funded construction and federal service contracts.

WHAT: Wage and Hour Division Prevailing Wage Seminar

WHEN: July 23-25, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PDT

July 11, 2019

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending July 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 209,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 221,000 to 222,000. The 4-week moving average was 219,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 222,250 to 222,500.  

July 10, 2019

Motorcycle Retailer Pays $44,330 in Back Wages and Damages After U.S. Department of Labor Finds Overtime Violations

MANCHESTER, NH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), The Collectable Trader LLC – a motorcycle dealer based in Pembroke, New Hampshire – has paid $22,165 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 59 current and former employees to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

July 9, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Says Employer Vigilance Essential To Addressing Workplace Hazards That Peak in Summer

KANSAS CITY, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is urging vigilance among employers and employees to address the types of workplace hazards that tend to peak in the summer months.

July 8, 2019

Central Florida Roofing Company Pays $75,710 in Wages After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Arry's Roofing Services Inc. – a roofing company based in Tarpon Springs, Florida – has paid $75,710 in back wages to 144 employees for violating the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

July 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results In Florida Hotel Paying $64,786 in Back Wages

KISSIMMEE, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Brooks Hospitality Corp. – operator of the Comfort Suites Maingate East in Kissimmee, Florida, and Gemini Global, a Kissimmee-based hotel staffing agency – has paid $64,786 in back wages to 100 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

July 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Will Help Current and Former Nuclear Weapons Workers File Claims in Erwin, Tennessee, on August 29

ERWIN, TN – The U.S. Department of Labor will provide information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and help current and former nuclear weapons workers file claims on Thursday, August 29, 2019, in Erwin, Tennessee.

WHAT: Traveling Resource Center

WHERE: Erwin Town Hall
211 N. Main Ave.
Erwin, TN 37650

WHEN: Thursday, August 29, 2019
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CDT
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. CDT

July 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Will Help Current and Former Nuclear Weapons Workers File Claims in Largo, Florida, on August 6

LARGO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor will provide information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and help current and former nuclear weapons workers file claims on August 6, 2019, in Largo, Florida.

WHAT: Traveling Resource Center

WHERE: Largo Public Library
120 Central Park Drive
Largo, FL 33771

WHEN: Tuesday, August 6, 2019
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT

July 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Will Help Current and Former Nuclear Weapons Workers File Claims in Pahrump, Nevada, on July 25

PAHRUMP, NV The U.S. Department of Labor will provide information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and help current and former nuclear weapons workers file claims on Thursday, July 25, 2019, in Pahrump, Nevada.

WHAT: Traveling Resource Center

July 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Will Help Current and Former Nuclear Weapons Workers File Claims in Albany, Oregon, on July 23

ALBANY, OR – The U.S. Department of Labor will provide information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and help current and former nuclear weapons workers file claims on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in Albany, Oregon.

July 5, 2019

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta on June Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the June 2019 Employment Situation report:

“The June jobs report surpassed expectations adding 224,000 jobs to the economy, totaling 5.6 million jobs created since January 2017.  

“This report included other good news as wages increased at or above 3% year over year for 11 straight months.  Wage growth for production and non-supervisory workers increased 3.4% over the past 12 months.