WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7,543,200 grant to assist about 1,120 workers affected by layoffs from multiple companies in the aviation, construction, health care, manufacturing and retail industries in south central Kansas. The majority of the layoffs were from four companies in the area's aviation manufacturing industry: Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft Corp.

Washington – The U. S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) announced new outreach and compliance assistance efforts for 403(b) pension plans subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The initiatives are part of the agency's ongoing compliance assistance program to help employers, plan officials and service providers.

Meridian, Mississippi – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with Grady Coleman of Meridian that requires the certified public accountant to refrain from present and future service as a fiduciary or service provider to any employee benefit plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Dallas – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the owner of defunct TMPR Inc. of Dallas for improperly using employee contributions and loan repayments owed to the Cliff Management 401(k) Plan for the benefit of the company.

“Employers and their executives will be held accountable by the Labor Department when they misuse the hard-earned retirement assets of America’s workers and retirees,” said Roger Hilburn, director of the Dallas Regional Office of the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 3,000 workers from companies in 17 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 473,000, an increase of 31,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 442,000. The 4-week moving average was 467,500, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 469,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Feb. 6, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

Company could face a 2-year debarment from participating in H-1B program

NEWARK, N.J. — The U.S. Department of Labor has cited Peri Software Solutions Inc. and Sarib Perisamya, president and owner, for alleged violations of the H-1B provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, uncovering $1,456,422 in back wages due to 163 workers.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today visited the Labor's Community Service Agency (LCSA) in Phoenix, Ariz. YouthBuild students at LCSA are working to retrofit a building using green construction skills acquired in a training program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), which is one-year old today.

Owner pleads guilty to related criminal charge

WASHINGTON, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined the C.A. Franc construction company $539,000 following the investigation of a roofing worker who fell 40 feet to his death at a Washington worksite. The Valencia, Pa.-based roof installer – whose owner is Christopher A. Franc – was cited for 10 per-instance willful citations for failing to protect workers from falls.

47,000 people will take part in training and education

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered the Illinois Central Railroad Co. and the Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad, both headquartered in Homewood, Ill., to pay a former railroad employee more than $80,000 in back wages, compensatory damages and attorney's fees.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 440,000, a decrease of 43,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 483,000. The 4-week moving average was 468,500, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 469,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending Jan. 30, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

Labor certification for temporary agricultural employment of H-2A workers in US to strengthen worker protection for both American and foreign workers

HOUSTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has resolved a lawsuit against Houston-based Universal Project Management Inc. and Irving, Texas-based Fluor Enterprises Inc. for failing to pay $1million to 154 workers in overtime compensation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Washington – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today released a model notice that will enable employers to provide information on eligibility for premium assistance under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

WASHINGTON U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement today on the passing of Congressman John Murtha:

"The nation lost an advocate for peace. Pennsylvania lost a great champion. And I lost a mentor and great friend.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman John Murtha, and my thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Murtha and her family at this difficult time.

San Francisco – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will hold two free half-day workshops in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, to help employers and plan administrators of pension and health plans better understand and comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

The workshops will be held at the James A. McClure Federal Building/U.S. Courthouse located at 550 West Fort St., Room 311. They will begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. MST.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the January 2010 Employment Situation report released today:

"This past January, the economy lost 20,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent.

"While today's report shows positive signs that the economy is moving in the right direction, the numbers underscore that we still have work to do to get Americans back to work.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $880,000 grant to provide an estimated 800 jobless workers in Maine with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.

"Unemployment and lack of health insurance are twin obstacles for workers who are seeking out new careers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will help eligible workers pay for health insurance while they upgrade existing skills or seek out new careers in promising industries."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 7,200 workers from companies in 15 states – California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).