Date of Action: Jan. 9, 2013

Type of Action: Consent judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Richard Yanek, president, sole owner and trustee of the 401(k) plan, and Cardservice of Virginia Inc.

WACO, Texas The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Marathon Norco Aerospace Inc. with eight serious health violations following a July inspection for exposing workers to hazardous materials, such as nickel and cadmium, at the company's facility on Imperial Drive in Waco. Proposed penalties total $41,220.

New electronic tools to help inform young workers about hazards and rights

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 371,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 367,000. The 4-week moving average was 365,750, an increase of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 359,000.

DALLAS — Paradise Detail Ltd. in Dallas has agreed to pay 82 current and former detail and car wash employees $229,475 in back wages following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's overtime and minimum wage provisions.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis this afternoon sent the following letter to employees at the U.S. Department of Labor:

"Over the Christmas and New Year holidays with my family in California, I enjoyed my first opportunity in years to reflect on the past and my future, with an open mind and an open heart. After much discussion with family and close friends, I have decided to begin a new future, and return to the people and places I love and that have inspired and shaped my life.

WASHINGTON — To help millions of people recognize what they can do to make a difference in the lives — and future careers — of young people with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Labor's Campaign for Disability Employment has released a new video public service announcement titled "Because." The PSA features real people with disabilities — not actors — who are pursuing and realizing their goals and passions as a result of the support they received from everyday people in their lives.

Date of Action: Dec. 28, 2012

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): The Hartford Construction Group, LLC and Travis M. Donnelly

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $408,403 National Emergency Grant increment for continued assistance to about 320 workers affected by the 2011 closure of Evergreen Solar Inc. in Devens and Marlborough, Mass., and layoffs of two of its staffing firms.

Company will also pay $9,450 in civil money penalties

Date of Action: Jan. 4, 2013

Type of Action: Consent order and judgment

Names of Defendants: Source HR, LLC and Austin R. Ritter

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the December 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"December's report marks 34 straight months of private sector job growth, which have added close to 5.8 million jobs. For nearly three years, steady gains have occurred across different sectors of the economy, and December finishes a strong year of consistent growth with average increases of about 160,000 private sector jobs per month in 2012.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC has agreed to pay $261,899 in back wages to 361 workers employed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that found employees were not being compensated in compliance with the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 372,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 362,000. The 4-week moving average was 360,000, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average of 359,750.

Asian Moon and Golden Rod restaurants also will pay more than $98,000 in civil money penalties for minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping violations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today released the following statement on the death of Lucille Beserra Roybal:

Servers worked only for tips

DUNCAN, Okla. — Peyton's Place LLC in Duncan has agreed to pay $84,864 in back wages to 31 current and former servers following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division which found violations of the minimum wage and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

$26,000 in civil money penalties assessed

DALLAS — Nieman Printing Inc. in Dallas has paid $96,335 in overtime back wages to 101 employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found that the company violated the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Civil money penalties assessed total an additional $26,000.

Employees in New Orleans not paid prevailing wage, overtime

NEW ORLEANS — Mahaffey Tent and Awning Co. Inc., doing business as Mahaffey Fabric Structures, has paid $133,285 in back wages and fringe benefits to 28 current and former workers following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. The investigation found that the company violated the requirements of the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1.4 million National Emergency Grant increment award to the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet's Department for Workforce Investment. The award will provide partial premium payments for health insurance coverage for eligible unemployed individuals.