Washington — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has granted an exemption allowing the Ford Motor Co. to transfer company securities to a voluntary employee beneficiary association trust that funds a new health plan established to provide health benefits for the company’s retirees. The new health plan will cover in excess of 285,000 retirees and their dependents, and a small number of active employees.

NEW YORK – As residents of the northeast U.S. recover from flooding and associated damage from the recent multi-day nor'easter storm that swamped the region, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges workers and members of the public engaged in cleanup activities to be aware of the hazards they can encounter and the necessary steps they should take to protect themselves.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $12 million in additional funding to 24 programs that are currently operating prisoner re-entry programs through the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders initiative.

"Rehabilitated ex-offenders are returning to communities across the country in record numbers. And today's funding continues our commitment to supporting programs that will help them re-enter society and transition to stable careers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – Today, five years after the terrible explosion at BP's Texas City refinery, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement remembering the 15 workers who were killed and the many others who were injured in that tragic event:

"As we've seen from my department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's recent enforcement actions, BP still has a long way to go to ensure the safety of its employees and those of the contractors who work in its refineries.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,137,425 grant to assist about 100 workers affected by layoffs at Joe's Sports, Outdoor, Auto/Truck and More in Wilsonville, Ore.

Business, policy, academic, HR representatives and workers invited to attend

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on passage of a health care reform bill by the U.S. House of Representatives:

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $8,197,664 Regional Economic Impact National Emergency Grant to assist dislocated workers in California's San Joaquin Valley. This region is comprised of Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on President Obama's signing of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act:

"Yesterday, President Obama signed legislation that will help create jobs for the millions of Americans hit hardest by the recession. This bill will help employers hire and retain new workers. It also will help state and local governments pay for green renovation and renewable energy construction projects.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,847,959 grant to provide an estimated 1,500 jobless workers in Washington state with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.

"Today's grant will help Washington state residents pay for health insurance while they seek new employment. That makes good sense. After all, losing your job is bad enough, but the impact is gravely compounded if it also means the loss of health benefits," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

Washington — The U.S. Department of Labor today released updated model notice packages to enable group health plans and employers to provide notice on the availability of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act continuation coverage premium reductions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through March 31.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has appointed Edna Primrose, workforce investment veteran and former director of the Job Corps center in Woodland, Md., as the new national director of Job Corps.

"Edna Primrose will bring to this position not only a wealth of knowledge about the history of the Job Corps program and how it works, but hands-on experience with students whose lives have been enriched by Job Corps," Secretary Solis said.

Conference will take place in Houston on April 14 and 15

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will convene a National Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and Safety on April 14 and 15 in Houston, Texas.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 457,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 462,000. The 4-week moving average was 471,250, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 475,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending March 6, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered Tennessee Commerce Bank in Nashville to reinstate a former corporate officer and pay more than $1 million in back wages, interest, attorney's fees, compensatory damages and other relief. The department found the bank had fired the individual in violation of the whistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

New York – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a court order appointing an independent fiduciary to manage the abandoned 401(k) plan of defunct Project Solutions Inc. of Rochester, New York.

WASHINGTON – A report released today by the U.S. Department of Labor found that the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative was largely successful in connecting young workers with employment experiences. Overall, 317,000 young people took part in the initiative.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced more than $34 million in grant funding to six high schools that have been deemed persistently dangerous by state educational agencies. Funds will support programs that reduce violence and improve educational outcomes through mentoring, alternative learning strategies, employment and case management.

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Dr. David Michaels today testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee's Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. Michaels shared the U.S. Department of Labor's views on the Protecting America's Workers Act, particularly the issue of enhanced penalties.

Grants will fund outreach and technical assistance to workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced approximately $1.2 million in grant funds authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 from the dislocated workers assistance national reserve. A solicitation for grants announcement appears in today's Federal Register. One to four projects will be funded to provide technical assistance and outreach to dislocated workers impacted by foreign trade.