Boston – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a federal court order appointing an independent fiduciary to manage the abandoned 401(k) plan of defunct Boston-based Clearway Technologies LLC.

Orlando, Florida – Bichler and Kelley P.A. and two individuals, the law firm’s director and office manager, have agreed to terminate the firm’s savings incentive match plan for employees individual retirement account (SIMPLE IRA) plan and distribute the assets to participants as part of a federal district court’s consent judgment and order.

Federal OSHA to review all state plan programs

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking solicits comments from public

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in the Oct. 21 edition of the Federal Register as an initial step in development of a standard to address the hazards of combustible dust.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $24,857,608 National Emergency Grant award to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of a tsunami that struck American Samoa on Sept. 29.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and survivors of the recent tsunami in American Samoa," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will support ongoing recovery efforts and help American Samoans put their lives back together."

WASHINGTON – Beginning today, in observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is hosting an art exhibit at the department's headquarters building located at 200 Constitution Ave. NW in Washington. The exhibit, which will remain until Oct. 30, displays the works of apprentices in the WVSA ARTs connection's ARTiculate Employment Training and Outreach Program.

UAE Coalcorp Associates issued 5 flagrant violations in wake of 2008 fatality

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced it has proposed $504,900 in civil penalties against UAE Coalcorp Associates, which operates the Harmony Mine in Northumberland County, Pa. Five violations were cited as the result of a fatal roof fall accident in June 2008 and assessed under the flagrant violation provision of MSHA's civil penalty regulation.

Activities occurring in workplaces and communities nationwide Oct. 19 through 25

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today launched the fourth annual Drug-Free Work Week national awareness campaign, which will run through Oct. 25. The department's campaign highlights support for workplace safety and the importance of having a drug-free work environment. Activities also encourage workers battling alcohol and drug problems to seek assistance.

Washington – The Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans - known as the ERISA Advisory Council - will meet Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, in Washington, D.C.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Oct. 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 514,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 524,000. The 4-week moving average was 531,500, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised average of 540,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.5 percent for the week ending Oct. 3, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's revised rate of 4.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified the release of $84,979,841 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Colorado. The state qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by making it easier for unemployed workers seeking part-time work and those unemployed for compelling family reasons to be eligible for benefits.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 2,329 workers from companies in 14 states – Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $13,017,176 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Montana. The state qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by adding provisions that allow part-time workers and individuals who are upgrading skills to receive unemployment compensation.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 8,600 workers from companies in 17 states – Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Oct. 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 521,000, a decrease of 33,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 554,000. The 4-week moving average was 539,750, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised average of 548,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.5 percent for the week ending Sept. 26, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 4.6 percent.

BOSTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $1.4 million in back wages for 237 employees of Computer Sciences Corp., a contractor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Vermont Service Center at various locations in St. Albans and Essex Junction, Vt.

Cherry Hill, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit to obtain appointment of an independent fiduciary to oversee the 401(k) plan of ABC Wireless Inc., a defunct company formerly located in Cherry Hill.

"Jeopardizing workers' retirement savings will not be tolerated by the Labor Department," said Mabel Capolongo, director of the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in Philadelphia. "Employers cannot abandon 401(k) plans when a company goes out of business."

Move marks 5th round of enforcement initiative by mine safety agency

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced that 10 mine operators from around the country have received letters putting them on notice that each has a potential pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(e) of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act).

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis leads the U.S. delegation to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the 16th Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor. Today Secretary Solis addresses the labor minister attendees in a plenary session titled "Coordination of Policies and Programs for Promoting Employment: a Guiding Framework in Facing the Crisis."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $774,925 National Emergency Grant increment to support continued clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms that occurred in Illinois in 2008.

"Parts of Illinois are still working to recover from destruction caused by severe storms in June 2008. This additional funding will allow temporary workers to stay on the job and further the process to a complete regional recovery," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.