WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,972,529 National Emergency Grant incremental award to continue re-employment services for about 2,580 workers affected by layoffs and plant closures at 80 companies throughout Wisconsin, predominantly in the manufacturing sector.

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Labor is suing CSG Group, and the company’s owner, Thomas Wimberly, for violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and to restore losses suffered by participants and beneficiaries of the company’s 401(k) profit sharing plan.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 382,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 392,000. The 4-week moving average was 389,500, a decrease of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average of 395,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending March 26, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

Company also facing fines for repeated and willful violations of Fair Labor Standards Act

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is soliciting public comments to assist in determining whether and possibly how to expand or modify current rules regarding the electronic distribution of employee benefit plan information. Plan information, such as quarterly account statements, is required to be disclosed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which is enforced by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.

DOVER, Del. – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment from the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ordering David Owen, the former president of defunct Owen Printing Dover Inc., to pay $4,640 in restitution and interest to the company’s 401(k) plan.

First meeting to be held April 19-20, open to public

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of 15 new members to the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, which will hold an open meeting on April 19 and 20 at the U.S. Department of Labor's headquarters in Washington.

BISMARCK, N.D. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited North Central Farmers Elevator in Ipswich, S.D., with six willful violations for exposing workers to being engulfed by grain. Proposed penalties total $378,000.

INGLESIDE, Texas The U.S. Department of Labor s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recognized the employees and management of Basic Industries Ltd. at Kiewit Offshore Services in Ingleside for achieving three years of excellence in the company s employee safety and health program. The Basic Industries facility has been designated as a star site in OSHA s Voluntary Protection Programs. Basic Industries is to be commended for demonstrating excellence in effective safety and health management, said William A.

US Department of Labor orders $4.2 million in back wages be paid to 1,044 teachers, fines school system $1.7 million in civil money penalties

COLUMBUS, Ind. – A federal district court in Indianapolis has ordered Hoosier Foot & Ankle LLC, a non-surgical foot and ankle care business in Columbus, and owner Patrick DeHeer to repay $18,000 in employee contributions and lost opportunity costs to the participants and beneficiaries of the company’s 401(k) profit-sharing plan. The order and a consent judgment were obtained by the U.S. Department of Labor, resolving a lawsuit it filed alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

WASHINGTON – Joseph A. Main assistant secretary of labor for the Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued the following statement:

"We have been in communication with Sen. Jay Rockefeller's office to make clear that the issuance of MSHA's final report into the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine will not be delayed due to the concurrent investigation by the Department of Justice into potential criminal wrongdoing. We apologized for any misunderstanding.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of Sidney Harman:

"I extend my deepest sympathies to my dear friend and former colleague Jane Harman. I was heartbroken to hear of Sidney's death. She and their children and grandchildren are in my thoughts.

"Sidney Harman was 'quintessential LA' and 'quintessential DC.' That's what made him so special... he could navigate various worlds with ease, grace and humor.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the March 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market improved notably in the month of March. Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 216,000, and the unemployment rate decreased to 8.8 percent. Over the last four months, the unemployment rate has fallen by a full percentage point – its largest decline since 1984.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $300,000 National Emergency Grant increment to continue recovery and cleanup efforts in the wake of severe storms and flooding that struck Puerto Rico in May 2010. Awarded to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, the grant is funding temporary jobs filled by eligible dislocated workers assigned to recovery efforts.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement commemorating the legacy of Cesar Chavez:

"Today, which would have been the 84th birthday of Cesar E. Chavez, is observed as Cesar Chavez Day. His legacy is important for every American to remember. Cesar was a civil rights leader whose efforts shed light not only on the injustice and struggles of farmworkers, but on our land and our environment, too.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 388,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 394,000. The 4-week moving average was 394,250, a increase of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 391,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending March 19, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON — Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, andMax Stier, president and chief executive officer of the Partnership for Public Service, today signed an alliance agreement to advance President Obama's executive order to increase federal hiring of people with disabilities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $202,395 National Emergency Grant to assist about 70 workers affected by the closure of a Whirlpool Corp. manufacturing facility in Benton Harbor, Mich.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $5.5 million under the Young Parents Demonstration Program. In the third round of this program, the department will competitively award four to six grantees between $500,000 and $1.5 million each.