March 31, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $8 million to assist workers in Ohio affected by recent automobile industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $8,342,254 grant to assist approximately 2,428 workers affected by layoffs at the General Motors Corp. truck assembly plant in Moraine, the Chrysler north assembly plant in Toledo, the GM Lordstown plant in Warren and 12 other supplier companies located in Ohio.

March 31, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $757,000 to assist workers in Missouri affected by airline layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $757,678 grant to assist approximately 160 workers affected by layoffs at American Airlines Overhaul Base Facility located in Kansas City, Mo.

"American Airlines has experienced the effects of the global and national economic downturn that has caused the elimination of routes and an overall reduction in flights," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The services offered by this grant will help the affected workers find and obtain employment in high growth occupations within their region."

March 30, 2009

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on American automotive industry

ROME – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the American automotive industry:

"I am committed to revitalizing the American auto industry and helping manufacturing communities create new jobs to rebuild local economies. For hardest hit workers and communities, we will do everything we can to provide relief and paths to re-employment.

March 30, 2009

Former Massachusetts employer agrees to restore employee contributions to company SIMPLE IRA plan to resolve U.S. Labor Department lawsuit

Boston – Matthew G. Hillery, president and sole officer of defunct Solid Sense Systems Corp. of Waltham, Massachusetts, has agreed to restore more than $25,000 to the company’s savings incentive match plan for employees individual retirement account (SIMPLE IRA) under a consent judgment obtained by the U.S. Department of Labor. The judgment resolves a lawsuit that alleged he violated his duty as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

March 27, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $2 million in aid to Washington state for recovery from recent floods

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,027,190 grant to Washington state to create approximately 130 temporary jobs to assist in flood cleanup efforts.

"Washington endured torrential rainfall and high volumes of melted snow this past January, resulting in mass flooding throughout the western part of the state. Today's grant will create temporary jobs to help clean up the areas that were affected by the floodwaters," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

March 27, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces $1 million in aid to Minnesota to continue assistance in 2007 flood cleanup efforts

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1 million supplement to a previously awarded grant to the state of Minnesota to create approximately 50 temporary jobs to assist in continued clean-up efforts as a result of flash floods.

"Today's grant will increase the number of temporary jobs created in order to alleviate the potential for future flooding in southeastern Minnesota," said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

March 27, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces a nearly $987,000 grant to assist workers in Oregon affected by computer-industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $986,796 grant to assist approximately 249 workers affected by layoffs at Hewlett-Packard (HP) Co. in Corvallis, Ore.

"The recent downsizing at Hewlett-Packard represents a significant loss of production workers in this region of Oregon," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will allow affected employees to access the necessary training and services to find employment soon."

March 27, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces a grant exceeding $329,000 to assist workers in Oregon affected by wood products industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $329,652 grant to assist approximately 50 workers affected by layoffs at Boise Cascade LLC in La Grande, Ore.

"Today's grant will provide the employment-related services necessary to help affected workers in Oregon find jobs in new careers and return to work as quickly as possible," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

March 26, 2009

ETA Press Release: Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 652,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 644,000. The 4-week moving average was 649,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 650,000.

March 25, 2009

Statement of U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on GAO investigation regarding past Wage and Hour Division enforcement

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement:

"I take the issues raised by the Government Accountability Office investigation regarding past Wage and Hour Division enforcement very seriously.

"As secretary of labor, I am committed to ensuring that every worker is paid at least the minimum wage, that those who work overtime are properly compensated, that child labor laws are strictly enforced and that every worker is provided a safe and healthful environment.

March 25, 2009

U.S. Labor Department sues former NFL player and others in bankruptcy court to recover pension assets

Newport News, Virginia — The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Newport News, alleging that former National Football League (NFL) player Michael Vick and others violated federal employee benefits law by making a series of prohibited transfers from a pension plan sponsored by one of his companies. The department also simultaneously filed an adversary complaint in federal bankruptcy court to prevent Vick from discharging his alleged debt to the MV7 retirement plan.

March 24, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor to release $4.9 million representing final increment of grant to Texas for continued recovery from Hurricane Dolly

Total grant exceeds $7 million, with initial amount provided in August 2008

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of $4,900,171 in grant funds to create 534 temporary jobs in Texas to help clean up the state following Hurricane Dolly.

"Texas continues to recover from Hurricane Dolly, which hit in late July 2008," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will create additional jobs for workers to help affected areas recover from hurricane damage."

March 23, 2009

U.S. Labor Department extends effective date of rules on investment advice

Washington – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) published in the March 20, 2009, edition of the Federal Register a notice extending to May 22, 2009, the applicability and effective dates of the final rule on investment advice under the Pension Protection Act (PPA).

March 20, 2009

Veteran to receive $118,000 in back pay, damages as result of U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service investigation

DETROIT In a settlement filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit, Ecolab Inc. has agreed to pay $118,000 to a returning Iraq war veteran to resolve a Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) complaint investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS).

March 20, 2009

U.S. Labor Departments Senior Community Service Employment Program grantees to receive more than $118 million under Recovery Act

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has issued policy guidance to grantees of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) for the implementation of an additional $118,800,000 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This critical investment is designed to increase services and training for unemployed, low-income seniors, and to invigorate and advance prosperity in the communities where they live.

March 20, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $2 million to Arkansas to aid in recovery from winter storm - 09-0283-DAL -

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,167,099 grant to the state of Arkansas to create approximately 151 temporary jobs related to cleanup after a winter storm.

"Today's grant will provide temporary jobs in Arkansas to assist in cleanup and projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and humanitarian assistance for those affected by the recent ice storm," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

March 19, 2009

ETA Press Release: Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

Calendar Year 2009 Seasonal Factors: Seasonal factors for CY 2009 and the revised historical series for CY 2004-2008 for both initial claims and continued claims will be made available on line on March 26, 2009, with the release of the Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

March 19, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $877,000 to assist workers in Oregon affected by motor-home-industry layoffs - 09-0284-SEA -

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $877,096 grant to assist approximately 150 workers affected by layoffs at Northwood Manufacturing located in LaGrande, Ore.

"Today's grant will aid affected workers in Oregon by providing job-search assistance and retraining, so workers can return to jobs in new industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

March 19, 2009

U.S. Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $5 million to Kentucky to aid in recovery from winter storm - 09-0282-ATL -

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,231,200 grant to the commonwealth of Kentucky to create approximately 503 temporary jobs related to cleanup after a severe winter storm.

"Today's grant will provide temporary jobs to assist in the necessary cleanup resulting from the severe winter storm that affected Kentucky communities," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.