November 4, 2004

Media Advisory - "Getting it Right" - New Compliance Assistance Seminar for Plan Fiduciaries

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

October 28, 2004

Media Advisory - HIPAA and Other Health Laws: Louisiana Compliance Assistance Seminar

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

New Orleans, Louisiana - The Compliance Assistance Seminar sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and the Louisiana Department of Insurance, will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 8-9, at the J.W. Marriott New Orleans Hotel, 614 Canal Street.

October 27, 2004

Record Number of College Students with Disabilities Placed In Summer Federal Jobs, U.S. Labor Secretary Chao Announces

WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced today that a record 368 college students and recent graduates with disabilities were placed in summer and permanent job openings in the federal government under the department's Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP).

October 27, 2004

ERISA Advisory Council to Hold Final 2004 Meetings

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

October 27, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues to Protect Over $45,000 in 401(k) Assets For Employees of Defunct Beaverton, Oregon, Company

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Portland, Oregon - The U.S. Department of Labor has filed an adversary complaint in federal bankruptcy court in Portland, to protect $45,000 owed to the 401(k) profit sharing plan of defunct Moore Communications, Inc. of Beaverton.

October 26, 2004

Director Named To Policy and Research Office Of Federal Employee Benefits Agency

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - Joseph S. Piacentini has been named to the senior executive position of chief economist and director of the Office of Policy and Research with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in Washington, DC.

October 26, 2004

Minnesota Engineering Firm and Owners Ordered to Repay More Than $13,000 to 401(k) Plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Minneapolis, Minnesota - The U.S. Department of Labor today obtained a consent judgment and order requiring Accutech Mold & Engineering, Inc., Little Falls, Minnesota, and its owners to pay $13,199 to the company’s SIMPLE IRA Plan as restitution for failing to timely forward employee contributions to the plan.

October 26, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Judgment Appoints Independent Fiduciary To Manage Defunct Minnesota Company’s 401(k) Plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

October 25, 2004

Mortgage Bankers Association and DOL Establish
Partnership To Promote Awareness of Employment Laws

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) signed an agreement today to work together to promote greater awareness of and compliance with DOL's employment laws among businesses in the mortgage banking industry.

October 25, 2004

Nine Honorees Receive Secretary of Labor's New
Freedom Initiative Award Recognizing Achievements On Behalf Of People With
Disabilities

WASHINGTON—Five businesses, three non-profits, and one National Football League player have been selected by U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao as recipients of the Secretary of Labor's Annual New Freedom Initiative Awards.

October 22, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues Atlanta Business and Executive Over Delinquent Employee Contributions to Profit Sharing Plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Atlanta, Georgia - The U.S. Department of Labor sued Atlanta-based Clarion Resources Communication and its owner for failure to remit or timely forward employee contributions to the company’s profit sharing plan, resulting in $13,280.91 in losses to the plan.

October 21, 2004

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Stronger Retirement, Health Benefit Security for American Workers - 121% Increase in Monetary Results Shows “Commitment to Protect Hard-Earned Benefits”

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Employee Benefits Security Administration achieved a record-breaking 121% increase in enforcement results that protected $3.1 billion in retirement, health and other benefits for American workers and their families in fiscal year 2004.

October 20, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Awards $9 Million Grant to International Labor Organization to Fight HIV/AIDS in the Workplace

WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced a $9 million grant to the International Labor Organization (ILO) to implement workplace-based HIV/AIDS programs around the world.

In addition to being a serious health issue, HIV/AIDS is also an economic issue, said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. Because the rate of infection is highest among the working-age population, this disease has a significant impact on the worldwide labor force.

October 20, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Awards $18.65 Million in Grants in FY 2004 To Battle Adult and Child Trafficking Around the World

WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced $18.65 million in grants to combat human trafficking around the world. The overall amount includes $3.75 million awarded to three non-government organizations to implement anti-trafficking projects in Brazil, Cambodia, Moldova, and Sierra Leone, and $14.9 million to combat trafficking of children for exploitative labor in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.

October 20, 2004

Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Kicks Off 6th Annual Disability Mentoring Day

WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao officially kicked off the 6th annual Disability Mentoring Day by delivering the keynote address at the department's ceremony today.

Disability Mentoring Day is an opportunity for young people with disabilities to gain firsthand exposure to the many career options available to them, Secretary Chao said. It increases awareness among employers and the public that people with disabilities are a highly talented and largely untapped resource.

October 19, 2004

ERISA Advisory Council to Hold October Teleconferences

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - The three working groups of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans will convene via teleconference October 27-29, 2004, at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC to conduct final discussions on the report and recommendations to be submitted to the Secretary of Labor.

October 19, 2004

Owner of Defunct Michigan Company Sued to Recover Employee Health Premium Payments

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Detroit, Michigan - The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the owner of defunct American Tool & Mold Inc. of St. Joseph, Michigan, to recover employee contributions that he failed to forward to the company’s health plan.

October 19, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Severe Storms and Flooding Hit Minnesota

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Chicago, Illinois - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to damages from severe storms and flooding in Minnesota.

October 19, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Tropical Depression Ivan Hits New Jersey

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to storm damages from tropical depression Ivan in New Jersey.

October 19, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Tropical Depression Ivan Hits New York

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

New York, New York - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to storm damages from tropical depression Ivan in New York.