Budget reflects fiscal responsibility while investing in job training and worker protection

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today outlined its part of the president's fiscal year 2013 budget request to Congress, which focuses on efficiently achieving the department's goals while exercising fiscal restraint.

MARIETTA, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued By Design Consulting Corp. and its owner, Randall Williamson Smith, to restore $25,978.39 in assets to the defunct company’s 401(k) retirement plan after an investigation by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration found violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Date of Action:  Feb. 10, 2012

Type of Action:  Judgment by Default

Name(s) of Defendant: William H. Kiser and Mary Sue Kiser, Irotas Manufacturing Company, LLC 401(k), and Irotas Manufacturing Company, LLC

Allegations: Between June and August 2008, William H. Kiser and Mary Sue Kiser, as trustees to the Irotas Manufacturing Company, LLC 401(k) Plan, transferred $487,138.08 of plan assets out of the plan to benefit the company.

Rule aims to make jobs more accessible to US workers and strengthen worker protections

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration and its Wage and Hour Division today announced a final rule to improve the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program. The rule, to be published in the Feb. 21 edition of the Federal Register, includes changes to several aspects of the program to ensure that U.S. workers receive greater access to jobs and strengthens worker protections.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending February 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 358,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 373,000. The 4-week moving average was 366,250, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised average of 377,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.8 percent for the week ending January 28, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration is seeking public comment on data collection relating to miners' rights in the workplace. The agency is performing a pilot study to determine how to survey miners' understanding of their rights under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and the degree to which they believe they are free to exercise those rights at work.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the release of "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success," a collection of career development exercises and activities designed to help sharpen the communication and other "soft" skills of young workers, including those with disabilities.

WASHINGTON — Nancy J. Leppink, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, and California Secretary of Labor Marty Morgenstern have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the improper classification of employees as independent contractors. Leppink and California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su hosted a press teleconference Feb. 9 during which they discussed how the U.S.

BETHESDA, Md. ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Bethesda-based Dynasty Construction Inc. and owner John J. Barrett III for breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the company’s 401(k) plan. According to the suit, more than $775,000 from the 401(k) plan was invested in a fraudulent scheme in 2006, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. This amount represented nearly all of the assets in the accounts of the 19 plan participants as of the end of 2005.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced a reorganization designed to centralize its oversight of certain cross-cutting, compliance-related actions. MSHA's Office of Assessments, Accountability, Special Enforcement and Investigations will incorporate the management, support and coordination of both routine and special assessments, as well as agency headquarters accountability functions and special enforcement strategies.

Interested parties may submit comments through Feb. 21

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has announced a 14-day extension of the comment period for its proposed rule to revise regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which obligates most federal contractors and subcontractors to ensure equal employment opportunity for qualified workers with disabilities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of "Why Green is Your Color: A Woman's Guide to a Sustainable Career," which is designed to help women find and keep higher paying jobs in the clean energy economy.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $3,058,366 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment services to about 1,450 individuals affected by the realignments and closures of military facilities throughout Texas. These facilities include Fort Bliss in El Paso, Fort Hood in Kileen, the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant and the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, and multiple bases in San Antonio.

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

"Our nation's labor market posted strong gains in the month of January. The economy added 257,000 private sector jobs last month, exceeding expectations, while the unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent – its lowest level since February 2009. These numbers show that the labor market continues on a positive trajectory.

TOWSON, Md. The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Towson Rehabilitation Center LLC and chief executive officer Howard Neels for failing to remit employees’ contributions to the company’s 401(k) plan, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement commemorating National African-American History Month:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a speech before attendees of the West Virginia Coal Association's 39th Annual Mining Symposium in Charleston today, Assistant Secretary of Labor Joseph A. Main discussed the current state of mine safety and health – and ongoing efforts to improve it – by both the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration and the mining industry at large.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 367,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 379,000. The 4-week moving average was 375,750, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 377,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.7 percent for the week ending January 21, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Minister of Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge of the Republic of India today signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on future labor and employment issues.

WASHINGTON – Following President Obama’s State of the Union address, in which he proposed a blueprint for an American economy built to last, the U.S. Departments of Labor and the Treasury today announced two executive actions designed to help enhance security for millions of Americans saving for retirement. The measures will expand transparency in the 401(k) plan marketplace and broaden the availability of retirement plan options so that Americans can maximize their ability to save responsibly and securely.