TALLAHASSEE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Jimmie Crowder Excavating and Land Clearing Inc. for exposing employees to amputation and other safety hazards at the company's facility in Tallahassee, Florida. The demolition and excavating company faces $81,833 in penalties.

In the week ending July 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 216,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 209,000 to 208,000. The 4-week moving average was 218,750, a decrease of 250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 219,250 to 219,000.  

LOS ANGELES, CA – Login Consulting Services Inc. – a staffing and recruitment company based in El Segundo, California – has paid $58,815 to two employees after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found violations of the H-1B foreign labor certification program.

BOSTON, MA – As temperatures rise in New England, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers to protect their employees from the dangers of working in hot weather.

OSHA's message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade. Employers should encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes, and take frequent rest breaks in shaded areas. Employers should:

QUEEN CITY, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Graphic Packaging International LLC – an Atlanta, Georgia-based paper product manufacturer – for exposing employees to hot steam, and failing to ensure the use of proper hazardous energy control methods. The company faces $211,400 in proposed fines.

STERLING, IL – Rock River Valley Self Help Enterprises Inc. – based in Sterling, Illinois – will pay 215 current and former employees with disabilities nearly $574,000 in back wages as part of its agreement to resolve issues uncovered by a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

ASHEVILLE, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Biltmore Co. – operating as Biltmore Workforce Management Inc. and based in Asheville, North Carolina – has paid $6,938 in back wages to a U.S. applicant for violating labor provisions of the H-2B visa program. The employer also paid a civil penalty of $24,076 assessed by WHD.

COLUMBUS, OH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Good Hands Supported Living LTD – based in Columbus, Ohio – has paid $230,696 in back wages to 74 employees. WHD found the rehabilitation center and home health care agency violated the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) overtime and recordkeeping provisions.

WASHINGTON, DC – In its latest effort to ensure that individuals returning to the labor force from the justice system have the opportunity to gain meaningful employment, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced approximately $85.9 million in Reentry Project grants awarded to 45 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

ST. LOUIS, MO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited R.V. Wagner Inc. – based in Affton, Missouri – for exposing employees to trench engulfment hazards as they installed concrete storm water pipes on Stable Road in St. Louis, Missouri. OSHA proposed penalties of $212,158 for violations of its trench safety standards.

LAFAYETTE, LA – On July 26, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will hold a compliance seminar in Lafayette, Louisiana.

PRYOR, OK – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited HE&M Inc., a Pryor, Oklahoma-based metalworking band saw manufacturer, for exposing employees to fall, machine guarding, struck-by, and electrical hazards. HE&M faces penalties totaling $187,533.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today approved additional funding for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) awarded to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The funding allows for assessing workforce needs in response to Hurricane Florence, which hit the state in September 2018.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for up to $5,600,000 with $1,866,667 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Illinois impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges response crews and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Barry to be aware of hazards created by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees, and storm debris.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for up to $4,739,794, with $1,579,931 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Indiana impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

WASHINGTON, DC – Furthering the agenda to help America's farmers, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today is posting online a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to solicit public comment on proposed changes to improve the H-2A temporary agricultural labor certification program.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in states affected by Hurricane Barry.

"The Department of Labor is actively engaged in Administration-wide efforts to help those impacted by Hurricane Barry," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "As Americans come together to help each other, the Department of Labor is committed to supporting recovery efforts."

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the 27th Secretary of Labor, R. Alexander Acosta, submitted his resignation to President Donald J. Trump, effective Friday, July 19, 2019.

Secretary Acosta's resignation letter is attached.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding up to $8,805,300, with $2,935,100 released initially, for the California Department of Employment Development. Funding will be used to assess workforce needs in response to storms in February and March 2019. These storms brought torrential rains, heavy snow, and wind gusts, resulting in widespread flooding, power outages, and severe infrastructure damage.