Rule would eliminate potential POV notification and use of final orders in review

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that a proposed rule to revise its pattern of violations regulation in 30 Code of Federal Regulations Part 104 will be published in the Federal Register on Feb. 2.The proposal, which would revise and simplify the POV criteria and MSHA's procedures for issuing a POV notice, is available at http://s.dol.gov/CQ.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,179,312 increment to continue providing assistance to about 500 workers affected by layoffs from multiple companies in the construction and manufacturing industries in central and southeastern Texas.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $707,096 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide services to about 600 workers affected by the closure of the Taylor, Bean and Whitaker Mortgage Corp. and its subsidiary companies.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 288 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 13 coal and 4 metal/nonmetal mine operations last month. The coal mines were issued 170 citations, 15 orders and one safeguard; the metal/nonmetal mines were issued 90 citations and 12 orders.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,166,729 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide services to about 1,350 workers affected by layoffs and plant closures occurring within the manufacturing sector in northeastern Wisconsin.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 454,000, an increase of 51,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 403,000. The 4-week moving average was 428,750, an increase of 15,750 from the previous week's revised average of 413,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.2 percent for the week ending Jan. 15, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.1 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has temporarily withdrawn from review by the Office of Management and Budget its proposal to restore a column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders on employer injury and illness logs. The agency has taken this action to seek greater input from small businesses on the impact of the proposal and will do so through outreach in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a court judgment and order appointing an independent fiduciary to manage the 401(k) plan of defunct BlueSky Brands Inc. of Westerly, R.I. The judgment and order resolve a lawsuit filed by the Labor Department against the company for violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Employers fined nearly $1.4 million

MOUNT CARROLL, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor has fined Haasbach LLC in Mount Carroll and Hillsdale Elevator Co. in Geneseo and Annawan, Ill., following the deaths of three workers, including two teenagers. The workers were killed when they suffocated after being engulfed by grain.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today took part in unveiling the Obama administration's action plan to strengthen and support military families. She joined the president and first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, other Cabinet members and administration officials, and representatives of veterans service organizations in the East Room of the White House to release the report Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitment.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $4,840,359 National Emergency Grant to assist about 825 military spouses and civilian defense workers impacted by a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure action that resulted in the creation of Joint Base Lewis McChord in the state of Washington.

SEATTLE — Super China Buffet in Shoreline, Wash., and Great Dragon Inc., doing business as King Buffet restaurants in Everett and Marysville, Wash., have agreed to pay $420,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 83 employees. This agreement resolves a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor after an inspection by the department's Wage and Hour Division found violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics' annual "Union Members – 2010" report released today:

"Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that, in 2010, the unionization rate of employed wage and salary workers was 11.9 percent, down from 12.3 percent in 2009. Among private sector employees, the rate dropped to 6.9 percent from 7.2 percent in 2009.

Lead Enterprises Inc. issued 32 citations, more than $307,000 in penalties

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations to Lead Enterprises Inc. in Miami, Fla., alleging that the company knowingly neglected to protect employees from lead exposure. The company is being cited with 32 safety and health violations, and $307,200 in total proposed penalties.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a solicitation for grant applications under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program. The Labor Department will award approximately $500 million this year through the program and a total of $2 billion over the next four years. Grants will support the development and improvement of postsecondary programs of two years or less that use evidence-based or innovative strategies to prepare students for successful careers in growing and emerging industries.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 404,000, a decrease of 37,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 441,000. The 4-week moving average was 411,750, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 415,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.1 percent for the week ending Jan. 8, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.1 percent.

Agency examines other approaches to prevent work-related hearing loss

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of R. Sargent Shriver:

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the House of Representatives' vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

"The American people are looking to Washington for solutions to grow our economy and make America more competitive. Instead, Republicans in the House of Representatives have chosen to vote to repeal individuals' freedom, control and choice in health care decisions.

JANESVILLE, Wis. – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Premier Vending Inc. of Janesville and its president and co-owner, David R. Biggerstaff, to restore $26,163.50 to the company’s 401(k) plan in voluntary employee contributions, plus lost interest. The case resulted from an investigation by the Labor Department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration into alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.