NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York seeking the appointment of an independent fiduciary to manage the 401(k) plan of the defunct David J. Hardy Construction Co. of Syracuse.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $9 million competitive grant solicitation for one or more projects to reduce child labor in the artisanal mining sector of Colombia.

Thousands of children work in Colombia's mining sector, where they labor alongside adults and are exposed to physical injuries, dangerous tools, hazardous substances, toxic gases and explosions. Many people are not aware that children face these hazards.

Consent judgment also includes order to pay $50,000 in lost wages to former employee

Mine owner initially refused to comply with judge's order

HYDRO, Okla. — Rigid Oil Field Services LLC has agreed to pay $51,839 in overtime back wages to 28 current and former employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found violations of the overtime and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The company misclassified its employees as independent contractors.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Female Veterans and Veterans with Families grants. Approximately 1,900 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,774,736 National Emergency Grant to assist about 350 workers affected by the closure of Comair at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport in Erlanger, Ky. The funding will provide employment services to affected workers who reside in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, through which a total of $1.5 million is available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations; employer associations; labor unions; joint labor/management associations; and colleges and universities.

Agreement covers Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri

NUEVA ORLEANS — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and the consulate general of Honduras today in New Orleans signed an agreement of understanding to combine resources and coordinate efforts to inform employers about the laws enforced by the department and to educate Honduran nationals working in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri about their rights under United States law.

Date of Action: May 10, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment

Name of Defendant: John A. Levy

Allegations: Levy, in his capacity as a fiduciary to the Romaine Inc. 401(k) Plan, failed to remit $10,286.41 in employee contributions and loan repayments to plan during periods from Jan. 5, 2007, through April 29, 2011. In addition, Levy failed to remit employee contributions and loan repayments to the plan in a timely manner during the same period.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs will award up to $5 million under a competitive grant solicitation for one or more cooperative agreements to address child labor and exploitative working conditions in Rwanda's tea sector. The project will have an area-based approach that targets children, families and workers who are susceptible to child labor.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs is seeking eligible applicants for a $10 million cooperative agreement on a project to address child labor, labor rights and working conditions in the Dominican Republic's agricultural sector, including in sugarcane and production supply chains.

Date of Action: May 10, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment

Names of Defendant: Ruby J. Black, individually and as a fiduciary to the Fresh Start Inc. 401(k) Plan and the Fresh Start, Inc. 401(k) Plan.

WASHINGTON – Job Corps students and instructors from Vermont and Utah used recycling and sustainability in creating unique, handcrafted awards honoring the service and dedication of U.S. Department of Labor employees who are recipients of the 2013 Secretary of Labor's Honor Awards.

Miner who filed discrimination complaint to receive $115,000

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that New Elk Coal Co. has agreed to pay approximately $115,000 to a miner whose employment was terminated shortly after he filed a hazard complaint. The company also has agreed to pay MSHA a civil penalty of $10,000.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and the franchisor of the world's largest restaurant chain are collaborating to increase compliance with federal labor laws at SUBWAY locations nationwide. Although these restaurants are independently owned and operated, the franchisor is providing a forum and resources to assist the division in educating franchisees.

Date of Action: May 7, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Name(s) of Defendant(s): First Restoration Services, Inc. and Frank Headen

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has reached a settlement of $211,002 with U.S. Lime Co. in the May 2010 death of a maintenance manager at St. Clair Mine in Marble City, Okla. The settlement involves 39 citations and orders issued in the wake of the accident and during subsequent mine inspections.

WASHINGTON — Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris and acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis today announced that the United States has requested consultations with the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain under the Labor Chapter of the United States — Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. The request follows a December 2012 report by the U.S. Department of Labor that highlighted labor issues stemming from the Government of Bahrain's response to civil unrest in early 2011 in Bahrain and recommended actions to address those issues.

WASHINGTON — Members of the public are invited to participate in an online dialogue to examine the impact of existing federal regulations and legislation on the successful transition from school to work of youths and young adults with disabilities. The U.S. departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration will host the event May 13-27, and they invite policymakers, service providers, the advocacy community and others to join this conversation to improve transition outcomes.