WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor spokesman Carl Fillichio today issued the following statement:

"The employees at the Bureau of Labor Statistics are working hard to ensure the timely release of employment data on Friday, Nov. 2. It is our intention that Friday will be business as usual regarding the October Employment Situation report."

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy has developed a series of free video vignettes, available at http://s.dol.gov/XH, as part of its "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success" curriculum.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending October 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 369,000, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 392,000. The 4-week moving average was 368,000, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 366,500.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has awarded a $1.5 million cooperative agreement to Tulane University's Payson Center for International Development in New Orleans to carry out research on the prevalence of child labor in cocoa-growing areas of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.

Recent investigation reveals evidence of wage violations among Forever 21 apparel contractors and manufacturer

Violations found at 4 locations in Broken Arrow, Owasso and Tulsa

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $198,495 National Emergency Grant to provide job training and support services to about 120 workers affected by the closure of T-Mobile USA Inc.'s facility in Redmond, Ore.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $349,845 National Emergency Grant increment to continue funding up to 69 temporary jobs for eligible workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in Bastrop County, Texas, following wildfires in 2011.

Date of Action: Oct. 23, 2012

Type of Action: Complaint

Name of Defendants: Timothy Masek and Grand Craft, LLC as fiduciaries to the Grand Craft, LLC 401(k) Plan

Allegations: Timothy Masek and Grand Craft, LLC as fiduciaries to the Grand Craft, LLC 401(k) Plan

Date of Action: Oct. 23, 2012

Type of Action: Complaint

Name of Defendants: Timothy Masek and Grand Craft, LLC as fiduciaries to the Grand Craft, LLC 401(k) Plan

Allegations: Timothy Masek and Grand Craft, LLC as fiduciaries to the Grand Craft, LLC 401(k) Plan

ARVADA, Colo. — Colorado Precision Machining Inc. has paid a total of $39,082 in back wages and liquidated damages to 10 machinists, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping provisions.

MIAMI — Melbourne-based PDQ Pizza, doing business as Domino's Pizza, has paid 401 employees $371,675 in back wages following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's overtime, minimum wage and record-keeping provisions. The franchisee has 19 locations in Palm Beach, Indian River and Brevard counties.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending October 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 388,000, an increase of 46,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 342,000. The 4-week moving average was 365,500, an increase of 750 from the previous week's revised average of 364,750.

Deadline is Nov. 30

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor challenges developers, students and anyone else with a little tech savvy and creativity to enter the Workplace Safety and Health Challenge. The goal is to design a tool that demonstrates the importance of recognizing and preventing hazards by helping young people understand their rights in the workplace.

Date of Action: Oct. 11, 2012

Type of Action: Order and judgment

Name(s) of Defendant: Winer Industries Inc. 401(k) profit sharing plan

Date of Action: Oct. 11, 2012

Type of Action: Order and judgment

Name(s) of Defendant: Winer Industries Inc. 401(k) profit sharing plan

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has launched its annual "Winter Alert" campaign to call attention to the numerous hazards colder weather typically brings to mining operations around the nation. Statistics show that coal mine explosions occur most often during the colder months, October through March.

DAYTON, Ohio — The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a complaint in U.S. district court in Dayton seeking to recover back wages and damages for workers at three El Rancho Grande restaurants in Ohio. An investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division determined that the restaurants, as well as co-owners Francisco Magana and Juan Hernandez, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to pay workers proper minimum wage and overtime compensation.

MIDLAND, Texas — Turf Specialties Inc. has agreed to pay $106,818 in back wages to 70 current and former landscape workers following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum and overtime provisions.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Mining fatality and injury rates fell to an all-time low in 2011 according to data recently released from the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration.