WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded more than $26 million in grants to help improve long-term labor market prospects for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The "Face Forward" grants were awarded to 28 community-based organizations to provide juvenile offenders with support services, training and skills development to help them obtain employment and overcome the stigma of a juvenile record.

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging the fireworks and pyrotechnics industry to be vigilant in protecting workers from hazards while manufacturing, storing, transporting, displaying and selling fireworks for public events.

INDIANAPOLIS – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that the owners of Heartland Foods Inc. will restore $283,530 to the Heartland Foods Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan under terms of a consent judgment and order. The decision follows an investigation by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration that found co-owners Karen S.

Date of Action: June 3, 2013

Type of Action: Consent judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Charles Yaskulski, Eagle Warranty Corp., and Eagle Warranty Corp. profit sharing plan

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Emergency Grant of $2,066,314 to provide assistance to more than 320 workers affected by the closure of a Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., plant in Plainview, Texas. Awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, the grant will make it possible for eligible dislocated workers to receive re-employment services.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Emergency Grant supplemental award of $23,314,255 to assist New York with continuing cleanup and recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,461,142 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts throughout Florida following Tropical Storm Debby.

"These grant funds, in particular, will help the state of Florida and displaced oystermen complete the work of restoring the oyster beds of the Apalachicola Bay," acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris said. "This additional federal funding is an investment that will create employment opportunities for individuals and benefit their communities."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $594,268 grant to assist about 130 workers impacted by the closure of Edward Jones Mortgage LLC offices in Minneapolis and suburban St. Louis Park.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded grants totaling $20 million to provide job training for inmates aged 18 and older participating in state or local work-release programs. The grants are part of the Training to Work-Adult Reentry initiative, which seeks to provide work skills, education, and supportive services to improve the long-term employment prospects of soon-to-be-released inmates.

ARLINGTON, Va. The recent decision by the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association to create a separate mine rescue program represents a critical component in a three-year effort by the Mine Safety and Health Administration to address gaps in how the nation responds to mine emergencies.

"We now have a new partner – a national organization to support and provide the necessary guidance for mine rescue," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

Date of Action: June 17, 2013

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Names of Defendants: Pallet Holdings, LLC; Pallet Holdings, LLC 401(k) Plan and Brandon Bush, individually and as a fiduciary of the Plan

Date of Action: June 14, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant: People of Color in Crisis 403(B) Retirement Plan

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $2 million competitive solicitation to fund one or more projects to reduce child labor in the home-based production of carpets in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $7.7 million competitive solicitation for a cooperative agreement to support a reduction of the worst forms of child labor by building local and national capacity of governments in at least 10 countries.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $2.5 million competitive grant solicitation to fund improvements in the enforcement and monitoring of fire and building safety standards to better protect workers in the ready-made garment sector of Bangladesh.

Wage and Hour Division refers case to US Justice Department

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Phyllis C. Borzi today announced the following guidance on compliance with employee benefit plan rules for those adversely impacted by the Moore, Oklahoma tornado:

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $6.4 million in grants for the third round of the Workforce Data Quality Initiative, which is designed to improve the quality and availability of workforce data.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $9.1 million in grants to seven organizations through the National Farmworker Jobs Program to improve economic opportunities and combat chronic unemployment and underemployment for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families.

Date of Action: June 10, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendants: Alex Bulmash, Investment Group Inc. and Investment Group Inc. 401(k) Sharing Plan & Trust

Allegations: The Investment Group Inc. was a mortgage brokerage firm which processed residential mortgages in Cook County, Ill. Bulmash was the president and owner of Investment Group Inc. and sole fiduciary to the Investment Group Inc. 401(k) Sharing Plan & Trust established in January 2003.