December 13, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Finds Mississippi-based Agricultural Employer Violated Guest Worker Visa Program Requirements in Florida

MIAMI, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), H-2A Complete II Inc. – an H-2A staffing company providing workers in the Indian River and Highlands County areas of Florida and operating as H-2A Complete – has paid $47,154 in wages to 66 employees for violating requirements of the H-2A visa program.

December 13, 2019

Massachusetts Court Sentences Contractor Convicted for Manslaughter And Witness Intimidation in Deadly 2016 Trench Collapse

BOSTON, MA – The Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston, Massachusetts, recently sentenced Atlantic Drain Service Company Inc. owner Kevin Otto to two years imprisonment on each of two counts of manslaughter, to run concurrently, and three years of probation for witness intimidation. The court’s action follows a U.S.

December 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Reaches Settlement with Global Meat Supplier Following Safety and Health Citations at New Jersey Facility

SWEDESBORO, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reached a settlement with Thomas Foods International after issuing citations for workplace safety and health violations at the company’s meat processing facility in Swedesboro, New Jersey.

December 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Finds Nearly 40 Western Michigan Businesses Violated Wage, Child Labor Laws; Assesses $94,000 in Penalties

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found violations of the wage and child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at 38 Western Michigan fast food restaurants and manufacturing facilities during an education and enforcement effort to raise awareness and improve compliance with child labor laws in the region.

December 12, 2019

CORRECTED: U.S. Department of Labor Final Rule Makes It Easier to Offer Perks to Workers

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule that will allow employers to more easily offer perks and benefits to their employees.

December 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Finds a South Carolina Vegetable Farm And Packing Facility Violated Federal Overtime Requirements

PELION, SC After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Walter P. Rawl and Sons Inc. – the operator of WP Rawl in Pelion, South Carolina – has paid $101,572 in back wages to 408 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

December 12, 2019

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending December 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 252,000, an increase of 49,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 203,000. This is the highest level for initial claims since September 30, 2017 when it was 257,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,000, an increase of 6,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 217,750.  

December 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Steel Plant For Fall Hazards Following Worker Injury

CLEVELAND, OH – After two separate inspections, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited ArcelorMittal Cleveland LLC for exposing employees to falls. OSHA has proposed $222,579 in penalties.

December 11, 2019

Winter Haven, Florida, Roofing Contractor Pays $60,098 in Wages And Damages After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation

WINTER HAVEN, FL After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) into rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Residential Investment Group – operating as RIG Construction and Roofing – paid $60,098 in back wages and liquidated damages to 43 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

December 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Announces $1 Million Competition To Better Connect Transitioning Service Members and Employers

WASHINGTON, DC – During the National Council for the American Worker meeting held today at the White House, U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia announced a Veterans’ Employment Challenge competition aimed at developing a new tool to help transitioning service members of the military in their job searches.

December 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds South Carolina Restaurant Violated Federal Wage and Child Labor Laws

SIMPSONVILLE, SC – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Mojitos LLC – a restaurant operating as Mad Cuban Café in Simpsonville, South Carolina – has paid $12,587 in back wages to 12 employees after violating the overtime, tip retention, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The employer also paid a civil money penalty of $336 for child labor violations.

December 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites UPS Inc. for Exposing Employees To Fire, Other Hazards at Massachusetts Facility

BRAINTREE, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited United Parcel Service Inc. for exposing employees to multiple hazards including exit access, fire and electrical at the shipping and delivery facility in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. The company faces $431,517 in penalties for four repeated and seven serious safety violations.

December 10, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds Guam Bakeries Violated Federal Overtime Law

DEDEDO, GU – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), two Guam bakeries – New Fresh Bread Bakeshop in Dededo and Café Panadero in Yigo – will pay $108,929 in back wages and liquidated damages to 20 employees for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) overtime requirements. WHD has also assessed $7,535 in civil penalties against the employer.

December 10, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Florida Air Conditioning Company Paying $57,000 in Back Wages

TAMPA, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Simpson Mechanical Inc. – an air conditioning maintenance and installation company based in Tampa, Florida – has paid $57,018 in back wages to 35 employees for violating the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

December 10, 2019

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement:

December 10, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in New Hampshire Hotel and Restaurant Paying $87,771 in Back Wages and Damages to 80 Employees

MANCHESTER, NH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), The Arlington Resorts LLC and Birch Bar & Bistro LLC – a hotel and restaurant in Bethlehem, New Hampshire – have paid $87,771 in back wages and liquidated damages to 78 employees to resolve minimum wage and overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

December 10, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Georgia Chemical Manufacturer for Exposing Employees to Amputation, Fire and Other Workplace Hazards

GAINESVILLE, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Kittrich Corp. – operating as Avenger Products LLC – for exposing employees to amputation, fire, and electrical hazards at the company’s Gainesville, Georgia, facility. The pesticide and agricultural chemical manufacturer faces $90,801 in penalties.

December 9, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Credit Repair Company Reinstating, Paying Employee for Family and Medical Leave Act Violations

SALT LAKE CITY, UT After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Progrexion Teleservices Inc. – a credit repair company based in Salt Lake City, Utah – has reinstated and paid an employee $10,344 in lost wages and expenses for terminating the employee in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

December 9, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Forms Alliance with Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturer and Employers Association to Promote Workplace Safety

WILKES-BARRE, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a two-year alliance with the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturer and Employers Association (NEPA MAEA) to promote workplace safety and health to general industry employees and students entering the workforce in Northeast Pennsylvania.

December 9, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Dollar Tree Stores For Workplace Hazards at Andalusia, Alabama Location

ANDALUSIA, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited national discount retailer Dollar Tree Stores Inc. for exposing employees to safety hazards at the company’s Andalusia, Alabama, location. The company faces $312,576 in penalties.