CHICAGO – A partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has recovered almost $1.5 million for participants in two terminated Chicago-based pension plans.

In the week ending May 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 234,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 232,000 to 233,000. The 4-week moving average was 235,250, a decrease of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 14, 1973 when it was 232,750. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 240,750 to 241,000.

What: The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a Data Users’ Conference at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on June 7, 2017. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that The Hartford – a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds – welcomed the first cohort of apprentices to its newly launched insurance apprenticeship program at a ceremony in Hartford, Connecticut.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today released the fiscal year 2018 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor. It supports President Donald J.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today it has awarded $250,000 to five organizations to develop training programs and materials to better identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines.

WASHINGTON – Fiduciary rule guidance for financial advisors, retirement plan sponsors, and individual workers and retirees has been published on the U.S. Labor Department’s website. This information comes in advance of the rule’s June 9 applicability date.

Read Frequently Asked Questions.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today it is extending the effective date of the agency’s final rule on Examinations of Working Places in Metal and Nonmetal Mines until Oct. 2, 2017.

CANTON, Ohio – Republic Steel, an automotive steel manufacturer, faces $279,578 in proposed penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration after agency investigators found workers at its Canton plant exposed to machine hazards and lead.

BAD NEUENAHR, Germany – Speaking at the G-20 Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta emphasized his support for fostering the growth of apprenticeships, a major priority for President Trump and the Department of Labor.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor invites news organizations that wish to participate in press lock-ups to renew or request credentials. The new credentials will be valid beginning in August 2017.

BAD NEUENAHR, Germany – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta delivered the following remarks at an opening session of the G20 Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting on women succeeding in the 21st century economy:

“Thank you for this opportunity to speak about women succeeding in the 21st century economy.

In the week ending May 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 232,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 236,000. The 4-week moving average was 240,750, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 243,500. 

MUNICH – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today visited the Munich headquarters and manufacturing plant of the BMW Group to tour the automotive company’s production and technical apprenticeship training facility. Secretary Acosta traveled to Germany to attend the G20 Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, which begins in Bad Neuenahr on Thursday, May 18.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta is traveling to Germany to tour the BMW Group's apprenticeship training facility in Munich and attend the G20 Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting in Bad Neuenahr.

In the week ending May 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 236,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 238,000. The 4-week moving average was 243,500, an increase of 500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 243,000.

BOSTON – A federal appeals court has affirmed that Pan Am Railways, Inc., must pay $260,000 in punitive and compensatory damages to – and take corrective action on behalf of – an employee who was subjected to retaliation for filing a Federal Railroad Safety Act whistleblower complaint.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced it will establish the HIRE Vets Medallion Program to recognize employers who recruit, retain, and employ veterans, and who offer charitable services in support of the veteran community. The department is establishing the program under the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act, or HIRE Vets Act. President Donald J. Trump signed the act into law today.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the April 2017 Employment Situation report:

OREGON, Ohio – An auto insulation manufacturer in suburban Toledo faces $569,463 in proposed penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation following a report that a machine amputated a 46-year-old worker’s right hand, wrist and part of his forearm.