Grants will support, enhance and evaluate innovative employment and training opportunities

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced nearly $147 million in grants to develop and expand innovative strategies to help Americans return to work by delivering services more efficiently, facilitating cooperation across programs and funding streams, and focusing on partnerships with specific employers or industry sectors to develop programs that reflect current and future skill needs.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 386,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 380,000. The 4-week moving average was 382,000, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 378,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending June 2, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $3,330,000 National Emergency Grant increment to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to assist the commonwealth with continuing clean-up and recovery efforts following Hurricane Irene, which struck Aug. 26-30, 2011, and Tropical Storm Lee, which struck Sept. 3, 2011. The funds will support temporary jobs in affected areas.

WASHINGTON — On June 13, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho granted the U.S. Department of Labor's motion for preliminary injunction against Matthew D. Hutcheson and Hutcheson Walker Advisors LLC. The court found that the department had "demonstrated the type of immediate and irreparable injury necessitating entry of a preliminary injunction."

Enhanced enforcement strategies are working, says MSHAs Joseph Main

Trainings to be held in Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division today announced that it will host four free trainings throughout the United States to provide outreach on the rules concerning prevailing wage requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act, the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act and the labor standards provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

CHICAGO – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor and resulting lawsuit, a federal court has issued a default judgment against the co-founder and director of the now defunct Elmhurst-based investment management company Results One Financial LLC. Steven Salutric has been ordered to restore $1,211,902.25 to four pension plan client accounts from which he allegedly withdrew funds from 2005 through 2009 in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

WASHINGTON — During a ceremony today at U.S. Department of Labor headquarters in Washington, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis signed partnership agreements with ambassadors representing the embassies of Honduras, the Philippines, Peru and Ecuador.

"Migrant workers make important contributions to our economy," said Secretary Solis. "Today's agreements help ensure these workers are aware of the right to safe workplaces and to receive full payment of the wages owed to them under the laws of the United States."

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Missouri Department of Insurance will host a two-day health benefits laws compliance seminar for small- and mid-sized employers, third-party administrators and insurers in the St. Louis area. The seminar is designed to provide practical information, helpful tips, and clarification regarding federal and state laws. The free event is open to the public and the media, and interested parties are encouraged to register early.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced approximately $12 million in grants awarded through the second round of funding under the Workforce Data Quality Initiative. The funds will enable 12 additional states to build or expand longitudinal databases of workforce data and link them to education data to help improve the overall performance of workforce development programs.

Goal is Hispanic community awareness of career resources, hands-on opportunities

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 377,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 389,000. The 4-week moving average was 377,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average of 376,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending May 26, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month:

"This month, Americans continue our march to a more perfect union by proudly celebrating our many victories in the fight for LGBT equality.

"We are proud to live in a country where gays and lesbians can now serve openly in the armed forces, just as we are proud that our military is led by a commander-in-chief who understands that sexual orientation has nothing to do with one's fitness to serve.

Complaint dismissed after collection of more than $44,000 in civil penalties

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that a complaint filed by the department with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia against Resurrection Coal Co. Inc. for collection of delinquent civil penalties has been dismissed upon receipt of the final payment installment. The entire civil penalty assessment totaled $44,158.33.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting nominations to fill five three-year vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council. The deadline to submit nominations is Aug. 3.

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

"Our nation's labor market added 82,000 private sector jobs in the month of May, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 8.2 percent.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on data regarding forced labor that have been issued by the International Labor Organization:

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 335 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 254 citations, 19 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 52 citations and nine orders.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $868,974 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing employment-related services to about 400 workers affected by the closure of the Sonoco Packaging Products in Devens, Mass., and related layoffs by Debbie's Staffing in Ayer, Mass., which provided temporary workers to the Sonoco packaging center.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,549,275 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment assistance to approximately 520 workers affected by layoffs at the Washington State Department of Corrections, the Washington State Employment Security Department, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and eight other Washington state and local government agencies.