CLINTON, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has debarred Ruben V. Serna – owner of Serna Harvesting, a farm labor contractor – from participation in the H-2A visa program for three years for violations of federal wage and H-2A program requirements. WHD found that Serna owed $194,109 in back wages to 181 employees certified to work at 15 North Carolina farms for which the contractor provides H-2A workers. WHD also assessed Serna a civil money penalty of $174,614 for the violations.

NASHVILLE, TN – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced the U.S. Department of Labor's new Office of Compliance Initiatives (OCI) during a speech today at the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association's 2018 Safety+ National Symposium. Coordinated by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, this cross-agency effort complements the Department's enforcement activities by strengthening and innovating compliance assistance outreach.

LOS ANGELES, CA – Garment contractor SMT Apparel Inc. – based in Los Angeles, California – will pay 40 employees $51,840 after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found that the company failed to pay minimum wage and overtime, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

MILLPORT, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Thorpe Specialty Services Corp. - operating as Thorpe Plant Services Inc. - and Steel Dust Recycling LLC for fall and confined space hazards after an employee was hospitalized following a 30-foot fall at Steel Dust's Millport, Alabama, facility. Thorpe Plant Services faces $175,528 in proposed penalties; Steel Dust's penalties total $28,270.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced today that it has issued six new opinion letters. This release demonstrates the agency's continued commitment to providing meaningful compliance assistance to help employees understand their rights and ensure that employers have the information they need to comply with federal labor laws. The letters released today address compliance under both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Taqueria Chapala Jalisco restaurant – based in San Antonio, Texas – has paid $208,642 to 69 employees to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements found at four of its locations during a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation.

SPOONER, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited fabrication and machining company Spooner Machine Inc. – based in Spooner, Wisconsin – for willful and serious safety violations after an explosion at the facility led to the amputation of an employee's legs. OSHA proposed penalties of $221,168.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division announced today that in the upcoming weeks it will hold public listening sessions to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the “Overtime Rule.”

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Hammers Construction Inc. and Montes Construction LLC after a fatal fall at a Greenwood Village, Colorado, worksite. The companies face proposed penalties of $177,893.

SPRINGFIELD, TN – Appliance manufacturer Electrolux North America Inc. – based in Springfield, Tennessee – has paid a former employee $43,014 in lost wages after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation determined the company violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

SYLACAUGA, AL – Ironworks subcontractor Hoytt Reinforcing Inc. – based in Sylacauga, Alabama – will pay $106,046 in back wages, overtime, and fringe benefits to 77 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today announced three directives, including new procedures for reviewing contractor compensation practices, a program to verify that contractors are in compliance with federal affirmative action program (AAP) requirements, and an initiative establishing a recognition program for contractors with high-quality and high-performing compliance programs and initiatives.

ANAHEIM, CA – Two hotels in Anaheim, California, have paid $59,142 in back wages and liquidated damages to 87 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Ninety-two current and former employees of two Indiana lawn care companies – Super Cutz Lawn Care LLC and Precision Cut Lawn Service – have received $59,926 in back wages following two investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found employers violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Sixteen employees of The Journey restaurant – based in Indianapolis, Indiana – will receive $45,828 in back wages following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that disclosed overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

MANSFIELD, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited National Material Company LLC for failing to protect workers from tip-over hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries at the steel supply plant in Mansfield, Ohio. OSHA cited the steel supplier for one willful violation, and proposed the maximum penalty allowed by law of $129,336.

In the week ending August 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 210,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 213,750, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 215,500.

CHICAGO, IL - U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and U.S. Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon discussed President Trump’s strong support for America’s small business job creators during a visit today to Superior Graphite, a small business manufacturer in Chicago.

After a tour of the facility, Secretary Acosta and Administrator McMahon participated in a roundtable discussion with leaders from several small businesses.

KILLBUCK, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Sperry & Rice LLC for 44 safety and health violations at its rubber and plastic manufacturing plant in Killbuck, Ohio. The company faces penalties totaling $400,775.

ROCK ISLAND, TN – Hillis Group LLC, based in Rock Island, Tennessee, will pay $89,204 in back wages and liquidated damages to 42 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found that the asphalt and trucking company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).