WPAC meeting scheduled for Jan. 29, 2013

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Small Business Administration today jointly announced a new website to support state workforce and unemployment agencies in implementing or enhancing Self-Employment Assistance programs. Today's announcement expands on guidance issued in May, which included $35 million in funding for states to implement or expand these programs made possible through the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 343,000, a decrease of 29,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 372,000. The 4-week moving average was 381,500, a decrease of 27,000 from the previous week's revised average of 408,500.

Shops producing garments sold by major retailers underpaid 185 workers by $326,000

High & Dry Roofing faces more than $118,000 in proposed penalties

Company violated Davis-Bacon and Related Acts

TULSA, Okla. — Third Generation Electric Inc. has paid $26,770 in back wages to 19 current and former electricians and equipment operators following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division personnel that found violations of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. The company failed to pay employees the prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits required by DBRA for work on federally-funded construction contracts.

Wage and Hour Division enforcement initiatives remedy significant labor law violations

WASHINGTON — The U.S Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced a proposed rule and related class exemption that will make it easier for Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees to distribute assets from bankrupt companies' retirement plans. The proposal would allow such trustees to use EBSA's existing Abandoned Plan Program to terminate, wind up and distribute benefits from such plans.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of James Hodgson on Nov. 28, as reported by his family today:

"James Hodgson once said: 'I've never had any ambitions; only enthusiasms.'

"He was being modest, of course, since one of his 'enthusiasms' was worker health and safety. And as the nation's 12th secretary of labor, he leaves an extraordinary legacy in this area.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the November 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation added 146,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in November, while the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, its lowest level since December 2008.

"November's jobs report means we've now seen 33 straight months of private sector job growth totaling nearly 5.6 million jobs. This year, we've created an average of 154,000 private sector jobs a month.

NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit to recover losses suffered by participants in the Rembar Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan after the plan allegedly was allowed to purchase overvalued company stock. The suit names as defendants Rembar owner and CEO Frank Firor and First Bankers Trust Services Inc., which was hired as an independent fiduciary and trustee in connection with the company's newly formed plan. The plan is also a defendant.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $10,394,267 National Emergency Grant increment to assist New Jersey with cleanup and recovery efforts statewide in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

"New Jersey's Hurricane Sandy cleanup efforts continue, and the federal government continues to offer support," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The additional federal funding announced today will expand Labor Department assistance to all New Jersey counties so that the state as a whole can more quickly recover."

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis released the following statement today to commemorate National Miners Day:

"Today, we honor America's miners who made the ultimate sacrifice and pay tribute to all of the men and women who make their living in this most noble profession.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, today launched the 2013 Workforce Recruitment Program database, a recruitment resource for employers seeking a diverse workforce that includes employees with disabilities.

Marshfield, Wisconsin – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $140,000 for two employee benefit plans sponsored by B & K Builders Inc. of Marshfield. Pursuant to today's entry of a consent order and judgment by the court, the department has recovered $117,430.85 from the company and one of its co-owners, Kenneth Staab, to restore losses to the company's prevailing wage plan. This is in addition to more than $22,000 restored to the company's 401(k) profit-sharing plan in March.

WASHINGTON — Whistleblowers covered by one of 22 statutes administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will now be able to file complaints online. The online form will provide workers who have been retaliated against an additional way to reach out for OSHA assistance online.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit has rejected an appeal by Cordero Mining LLC of Gillette, Wyo., in a worker discrimination case and affirmed a December 2011 decision by an administrative law judge of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. In that decision, the judge ordered Cordero Mining to reinstate a discharged employee to her former position, make her whole for lost wages and benefits, remove from her personnel files references to the unlawful discharge and pay a civil penalty of $40,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today published in the Federal Register its finalized tribal consultation policy, which establishes a formal process through which the department will engage in consultation with federally recognized tribes on actions or policies that will have a significant impact on tribal nations. This policy requires that the department's government-to-government consultation with the federally recognized tribes involve appropriate tribal and department officials.

Suit seeks back wages, liquidated damages from Bananera Fabre, Finca La Platas

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation today released advance informational copies of the 2012 Form 5500 annual return/report and related instructions. These advance copies of the 2012 Form 5500 are for informational purposes only and cannot be used to file a 2012 Form 5500 annual return/report.