Mining deaths sharply higher in 4th quarter, following record low fatality rates

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 339,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 341,000. The 4-week moving average was 357,250, an increase of 8,500 from the previous week's revised average of 348,750.

Date of Action: Dec. 19, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): David Kephart, Timothy Kephart, Kephart Trucking Co., and the Kephart Trucking Co. 401(k) plan

Allegations: In 1988, trucking company Kephart Trucking Co. in Bigler, Pa., established the Kephart Trucking Co. 401(k) plan for its employees. David Kephart, Timothy Kephart, and the company were plan fiduciaries, responsible for making decisions concerning the remittance of elective contributions to the plan.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $998,384 grant award to promote gender equality in the workplace in the Kingdom of Morocco. The grant provides funding for a project that will be implemented through a cooperative agreement between the department and Management Systems International.

Date of Action: Dec. 30, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name of Defendant: David E. Doll

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 338,000, a decrease of 42,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 380,000. The 4-week moving average was 348,000, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average of 343,750.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced the award of a $3 million cooperative agreement to World Education to implement a project that addresses exploitative labor among youth under the age of 18 in Uganda. The project will provide training to youth to help them develop marketable skills and serve as civic leaders in their communities.

WARSAW, Ind — The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to recover losses to the Miller's Health Systems, Inc., Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The suit alleges that PBI Bank, Inc., the trustee of the plan, authorized the purchase of company stock for $40 million, an amount far in excess of the fair market value of the stock. The suit also alleges that PBI Bank approved financing for the transaction at an excessive interest rate. Miller's Health is a Warsaw-based company that manages long-term care and assisted-living facilities.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury today proposed rules that would adjust regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 regarding excepted benefits to include employee assistance programs (EAPs). The proposed rules would also provide added options for employees and employers in connection with the Affordable Care Act.

MOUNTAINSIDE, N.J. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today announced that federal contractor Cream-O-Land Dairy Inc. has resolved claims of sex and race discrimination affecting 227 workers who applied for jobs at the company's dairy plant in Florence, N.J. An OFCCP review of the facility determined that the dairy company used a hiring process that violated Executive Order 11246 because it discriminated against women, African Americans and Asian Americans who applied for warehouse positions in 2010.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced the award of a $5 million cooperative agreement to Creative Associates International to implement a project to reduce child labor in Morocco.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced the award of a $5 million cooperative agreement to the International Labour Organization to implement a project to reduce child labor in Burma and support the Government of Burma's efforts to comply with international standards.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending December 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 379,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's figure of 369,000. The 4-week moving average was 343,500, an increase of 13,250 from the previous week's revised average of 330,250.

Date of Action: Dec. 18, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendants: Gerald Boschwitz, and Thomas Boschwitz, individually and as fiduciaries of the Home Valu Interiors Employee Benefit Plan (Health Plan), Home Valu Interiors Self-Insured Voluntary Dental Plan (Dental Plan), Home Valu, Inc. Group Insurance Plan (Life Insurance Plan), and Home Valu Flexible Reimbursement Plan (Flex Plan)

Date of Action: Dec. 16, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Eugene Aguirre and the Sunstrand Electric Company Inc. Employees 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 174 citations, 11 orders and two safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 12 coal mines in November. In October, MSHA conducted impact inspections at six coal mines and three metal and nonmetal mines, where inspectors issued 120 citations and 10 orders. Impact inspections were curtailed during part of October due to the government shutdown.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 174 citations, 11 orders and two safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 12 coal mines in November. In October, MSHA conducted impact inspections at six coal mines and three metal and nonmetal mines, where inspectors issued 120 citations and 10 orders. Impact inspections were curtailed during part of October due to the government shutdown.

HONOLULU - The U.S. Department of Labor has secured a consent judgment with Aiea-based cement construction and contracting company Reef Development of Hawaii Inc. and its president, Samuel Sanchez Aguirre. An investigation by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration established that Aguirre, acting as trustee to the profit-sharing plan, violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act by mismanaging plan assets, resulting in more than $700,000 in lost principal, plus approximately $303,000 in lost interest.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,586,385 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 900 transitioning military personnel from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the largest military base on the West Coast, located in Fort Lewis, Washington.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $242,000 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to assist with the continuing cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of heavy snowfall associated with Hurricane Sandy that affected north-central West Virginia between Oct. 29 and Nov. 8, 2012. The funds are being awarded to WorkForce West Virginia and will provide for the continuation of temporary employment for eligible individuals to assist with the cleanup of affected areas.