Agency issues first major regulation updates since 1999

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has released a new directive to outline the process by which federal supply and service contractors can apply for Functional Affirmative Action Program agreements, which can be viewed at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/directives/dir296.htm.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $5.5 million funding for four grantees under the Young Parents Demonstration Program. The grants are being awarded to community and faith-based organizations in Los Angeles, Calif.; Asheville, N.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Worcester, Mass., to provide intensive mentoring services for low-income parents and expectant parents ages 16 24, as a supplement to educational and occupational skills training available through existing workforce development programs.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $557,433 grant to provide training and supportive services to about 175 workers affected by layoffs at Tyco Electronics facilities in Eden Prairie and Shakopee, Minn.

"This grant will provide important training and employment services to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Labor Department is committed to helping these workers prepare for and obtain jobs in growing industries."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $337,897 grant to assist about 60 workers affected by the closure of Associated Grocers of Maine Inc. in Gardiner, Maine. The grocery distributor announced in April that it would be shutting down its distribution, logistics and transportation operations, and consequently laying off all of its employees.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,995,170 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide training and re-employment services to about 550 workers throughout the state of Delaware affected by layoffs at Delaware City-based Valero Energy Corp.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $117,453 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide re-employment services to more than 100 workers affected by layoffs within the manufacturing sector in eastern Iowa.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $657,841 National Emergency Grant to assist about 200 workers affected by layoffs on April 1 at Katahdin Paper Co. in East Millinocket, Maine.

"This grant will provide critical training and employment services for these Maine workers to help them obtain good, stable jobs in growing industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Labor Department is committed to supporting these workers and at the same time helping employers develop the highly skilled workforce they need to succeed."

Grants to provide crucial services for low-income non-custodial parents and ex-offenders

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,279,199 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 720 workers affected by layoffs throughout the commonwealth of Massachusetts as a result of the closure of AJWright stores, including individuals formerly employed at the company's corporate headquarters, distribution center and retail stores.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 429,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 420,000. The 4-week moving average was 426,250, unchanged from the previous week's revised average of 426,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending June 11, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 2.9 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,412,754 National Emergency Grant increment to continue training and re-employment services to about 600 workers affected by layoffs at nine companies in the metro south/west region of Massachusetts representing the information, manufacturing, retail and transportation industries.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $707,550 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide retraining and re-employment services to about 450 workers affected by layoffs at Chrysler LLC in Newark, Del., General Motors Corp. in Wilmington, Del., and five suppliers to the two companies.

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Dowe and Wagner Inc., a heating and air conditioning company in Richmond, and its co-owners, Joseph Wagner and Thomas Eppers, to restore $31,650 to the company’s 401(k) plan. The case resulted from an investigation by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration into alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded six organizations a total of $38 million in Green Jobs Innovation Fund grants to serve workers in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

"This grant program is an important part of the administration's efforts to equip workers with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in green industry jobs," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These are smart investments in the green energy jobs of today and the green energy economy of the future."

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 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Notice of the extension has been published in the June 22 Federal Register and can be viewed at http://s.dol.gov/GE.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7,666,392 National Emergency Grant to assist about 6,530 U.S. Department of Defense civilian workers, contractors and military spouses impacted by the realignments and closures of military facilities in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced 15 grants totaling $20 million through the Civic Justice Corps program to help formerly incarcerated individuals ages 18-24 reconnect with their communities and find pathways to success through community service and educational opportunities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,593,515 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 690 workers affected by the closure of Masco Retail Cabinet Group in Pike County, Ohio. Although layoffs at the company's facilities in Waverly and Seal Township began in May 2010, a majority of the workers are being laid off this month.

Funding to help speed job seekers return to work, prevent improper payments

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $48.7 million in funding for 37 states and the District of Columbia to implement re-employment and eligibility assessments for beneficiaries of unemployment insurance.