WASHINGTON – The U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the February 2024 Employment Situation report: 

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 275,000 jobs in February. Our economy has added 14.9 million jobs since President Biden took office. The unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in February, continuing a trend of two straight years of a jobless rate below 4 percent. 

LIBERAL, KS – Federal investigators determined a Liberal truck washing company failed to protect workers from hydrogen sulfide gas as they entered over-the-road tanker trailers to clean them out, causing one worker’s fatal injuries and hospitalizing two co-workers. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately $312 million is available in grant funding for organizations to provide community service and offer work-based learning to older workers through the Senior Community Service Employment Program. 

BOSTON – When the owner of three Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt shops in Massachusetts and New Hampshire terminated an employee who asserted their rights to the tips they had earned, the company violated anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and found themselves facing costly consequences after a U.S.

Employer:      Family Hands Adult Care Facility LLC 

                        10016 LaSalle Ave.

In the week ending March 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 217,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 215,000 to 217,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,250, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 212,500 to 213,000

MILLVILLE, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement to resolve litigation against a Pennsylvania manufacturer that followed a safety and health investigation. The investigation resulted in 17 affirmed violations of federal workplace safety standards at the Regal Industrial Corp. in Millville in 2022.

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – A Robbinsville frozen food manufacturer with an extensive history of violating federal safety and health standards was cited again by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, after a worker suffered an amputation in August 2023.

The agency determined the company exposed workers to lockout/tagout hazards – where energy may be inadvertently released – and cited it for four willful, one repeat and three serious violations, amounting to a $551,719 penalty.

Date of action:           Feb. 1, 2024

EVANSVILLE, IN – After learning an Evansville employer has engaged in an ongoing attempt to deprive current and former employees of the money found due to them following a federal wage investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor asked a federal court to issue a temporary restraining order and injunction against Friendship Diner LLC and its owner, Bardhyl Shabani, and award punitive damages to employees. 

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Wage and Hour Division’s New Orleans district office has signed a collaborative agreement with the Southeast Louisiana Building and Construction Trades Council to protect workers and promote compliance with federal labor laws. 

CROSSVILLE, TN – The owner of 20 Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries locations has entered an enhanced compliance agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that aims to improve working conditions for minor-aged employees and compliance with federal labor regulations at their 20 locations in Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the appointments of 30 members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship to advise the Secretary of Labor on issues related to the national apprenticeship system. Through their work on the committee, members will leverage their knowledge and experience to provide advice and recommendations on ways to use the apprenticeship training model to improve equitable access to career pathways for America’s workers and jobseekers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’ today announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration has unveiled an online platform to help miners and their families navigate the process of finding healthcare providers, facilities and related resources.

Empleador:    Jani Enterprises Inc., que gestiona un restaurante Subway en Des Moines y otro en Kent, WA

Employer:      Jani Enterprises Inc., operating one Subway restaurant in Des Moines and one in Kent, WA

Nombre del empleador:        Boom-a-Rang Diner

Lugar de la investigación:    53 locales en Oklahoma

Employer name:        Boom-a-Rang Diner

Investigation site:      53 locations in Oklahoma

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found 53 locations of 

HENRY, TN – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a complaint and motion seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent a Henry County farm from allegedly retaliating against two workers who asked about their wages, a protected activity under the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the appointment of five members and leadership for the 2024 Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council.

The 15-member council provides advice on policies and regulations affecting employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.