WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $3,058,366 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment services to about 1,450 individuals affected by the realignments and closures of military facilities throughout Texas. These facilities include Fort Bliss in El Paso, Fort Hood in Kileen, the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant and the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, and multiple bases in San Antonio.

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

"Our nation's labor market posted strong gains in the month of January. The economy added 257,000 private sector jobs last month, exceeding expectations, while the unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent – its lowest level since February 2009. These numbers show that the labor market continues on a positive trajectory.

TOWSON, Md. The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Towson Rehabilitation Center LLC and chief executive officer Howard Neels for failing to remit employees’ contributions to the company’s 401(k) plan, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a speech before attendees of the West Virginia Coal Association's 39th Annual Mining Symposium in Charleston today, Assistant Secretary of Labor Joseph A. Main discussed the current state of mine safety and health – and ongoing efforts to improve it – by both the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration and the mining industry at large.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement commemorating National African-American History Month:

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 367,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 379,000. The 4-week moving average was 375,750, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 377,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.7 percent for the week ending January 21, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Minister of Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge of the Republic of India today signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on future labor and employment issues.

WASHINGTON – Following President Obama’s State of the Union address, in which he proposed a blueprint for an American economy built to last, the U.S. Departments of Labor and the Treasury today announced two executive actions designed to help enhance security for millions of Americans saving for retirement. The measures will expand transparency in the 401(k) plan marketplace and broaden the availability of retirement plan options so that Americans can maximize their ability to save responsibly and securely.

Company added to Severe Violator Enforcement Program

MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Baltimore, Md.-based Vertis Communications for 12 – including two repeat – safety and health violations at its Monroe Township direct marketing facility.OSHA initiated an inspection in response to complaints alleging the hazards.Proposed penalties total $120,700.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today met with Colombia Minister of Labor Rafael Pardo to discuss Colombia's recent achievements in protecting workers' rights and to address the challenges that remain. She highlighted the ongoing technical cooperation between the U.S. Department of Labor and Colombia's Labor Ministry, and announced the award of a $2 million grant to the International Labour Organization to develop a robust presence in Colombia.

Additional review will ensure protection of both children and rural values

Date of Action: Jan. 20, 2012

Type of Action: Consent judgment and order

Name(s) of Defendant(s):  Frederick Zurn, president and plan trustee; Marian M. Zurn, vice president; Erie Copy Products, Inc., company and plan administrator; and Erie Copy Products Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

Fatality prevention program to focus on 14 safety standards

Contest will engage developers to address wage gap through innovative use of data

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has issued a final rule amending the Senior Community Service Employment Program regulations to allow entry into volunteer work as an additional performance indicator. The rule will be effective on March 1.

BURLINGTON, Vt. – A federal judge has granted the U.S. Department of Labor a preliminary and permanent injunction to enjoin the operators of a Pawlet slate milling operation from interfering with, hindering or delaying an inspection by the department's Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Rule would expand military family leave provisions, incorporate special eligibility provision for airline flight crew employees

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor is issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement new statutory amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act that would expand military family leave provisions and incorporate a special eligibility provision for airline flight crew employees.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today on union members in 2011:

"Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that, in 2011, the unionization rate of employed wage and salary workers was 11.8 percent, essentially unchanged from 11.9 percent in 2010. Among private sector employees, the rate remained at 6.9 percent.

NEWPORT, Del. – An administrative law judge with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has found that Newport-based Daisy Construction willfully violated the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's trenching standards, and ordered the company to pay $59,000 in penalties.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 377,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 356,000. The 4-week moving average was 377,500, a decrease of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 380,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.8 percent for the week ending January 14, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate.