July 16, 2013

Crestview, Fla., medical group ordered to restore $225,000 to employee stock ownership plan following US Labor Department investigation

CRESTVIEW, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment requiring Robert S. Caputo and Glenn M. Bankert to restore $225,000 to an employee stock ownership plan. The judgment follows a lawsuit filed by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration alleging the defendants breached their fiduciary responsibilities, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

July 16, 2013

Department of Labor files complaint to remove fiduciaries of Specialty Staff Inc. 401(k) Plan in Carmel, Ind.

Date of Action: July 2, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Theresa A. Hellman and Robin M. Polin, individually and as fiduciaries of the Specialty Staff, Inc. 401(k) Plan; Specialty Staff Inc.; and the Specialty Staff Inc. 401(k) Plan located in Carmel, Ind.

July 15, 2013

US Labor Department awards more than $64 million to states to help expedite the re-employment of Unemployment Insurance beneficiaries

Grants awarded to 38 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded approximately $64.3 million to 38 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia to implement or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for individuals who receive unemployment benefits.

July 15, 2013

US Department of Labor announces $5 million grant solicitation to reduce child labor in Morocco

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs is seeking eligible applicants for a $5 million cooperative agreement to reduce child labor and help youth of legal working age secure decent work in Morocco. The project will focus on supporting efforts in rural areas and areas in the process of urbanization that immediately adjoin cities and towns.

July 11, 2013

Harris v. Innovative Logistics Techniques Inc., et al.

Date of Action: July 11, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Innovative Logistics Techniques Inc.  

July 10, 2013

MSHA releases final data for 2012

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the release of final data for 2012 that indicate the lowest fatality and injury rates in the history of U.S. mining, along with the lowest rate of contractor fatalities since the agency began calculating those rates in 1983.

July 10, 2013

Harris v. The Hartford Construction Group LLC involving default judgment in Cumming, Ga.

Date of Action: June 25, 2013

Type of Action:  Default Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): The Hartford Construction Group LLC, Travis M. Donnelly, the Hartford Construction Group, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and the Hartford Construction Group LLC Group Health Plan

July 9, 2013

US Department of Labor launches smartphone app contest

WASHINGTON — As part of the 75th anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is challenging innovative minds to develop a smartphone application that will transform the way the public is able to use departmental enforcement data. By providing consumers with information at their fingertips about which businesses have treated their workers fairly and lawfully, the creator of this application will help empower consumers to make informed choices about where to bring their business.

July 5, 2013

Statement of acting Labor Secretary Seth D. Harrison on June employment numbers

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris issued the following statement about the June 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"This morning's report reveals an economy continuing to recover at a promising rate. With the addition of 202,000 private sector jobs in June, that makes 7.2 million private sector jobs over the last 40 consecutive months of growth.

July 5, 2013

US Labor Department sues Columbia, Md., medical practice to recover lost employee contributions to 401(k) Plan

Date of Action: July 1 , 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): David O. Nyanjom, Laura Nyanjom, Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Associates, P.A and Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Associates, P.A. 401(k) Plan

July 5, 2013

US Labor Department obtains default judgment restoring employee contributions to SIMPLE IRA Plan of defunct Eynon, Pa., company

Date of Action: June 27, 2013

Type of Action: Default judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Charles H. England, and Charles H. England, Inc.

July 2, 2013

Harris v. Jeremy B. Williams default judgment involving Williams Construction and Masonry Contractors Inc. profit sharing plan in Kentucky

Date of Action: July 1, 2013

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Jeremy Williams, individually and as a fiduciary to Williams Construction and Masonry Contractors Inc. profit sharing plan; Williams Construction and Masonry Contractors Inc. and Williams Construction and Masonry Contractors Inc. profit sharing plan.

July 1, 2013

Armstrong Coal Co.'s lawsuit against miner violates Mine Act, judge rules

ARLINGTON, Va. – An administrative law judge has ruled that a Madisonville, Ky., mining company violated the anti-discrimination provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 when it sued a miner for filing a discrimination complaint with the Mine Safety and Health Administration following his job termination, MSHA announced today.

July 1, 2013

Benefits.gov goes mobile

WASHINGTON – Benefits.gov has launched a mobile compatible version of its website, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today. Benefits.gov, the official benefits website of the U.S. government, has enhanced its site for visitors using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The changes make it easier for the public to access government benefit and assistance program information anytime, anywhere.

July 1, 2013

US Department of Labor and US Postal Service agree to terms on improving worker safety at postal facilities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union have agreed to terms of a settlement that will improve safety in postal facilities across the country. The settlement follows negotiations stemming from inspections at 42 Postal Service sites in 2009 and 2010 that found violations of OSHA standards on electrical work practices.

July 1, 2013

U.S. Department of Labor announces $3 million grant solicitation to support African Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative in Ugandan

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) today announced a $3 million grant solicitation to help Ugandan youth develop marketable skills to secure decent work and to serve as civic leaders in their communities.

ILAB's African Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative is designed to support President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative. The president's program is focused on investing in the next generation of African leaders and strengthening partnerships between the United States and Africa.

July 1, 2013

$1.5 million in funding available from US Department of Labor to strengthen labor inspections and courts in El Salvador and Honduras

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $1.5 million competitive solicitation to fund one or more projects to strengthen the information systems used to manage labor inspections and labor cases in El Salvador and Honduras.

July 1, 2013

US Department of Labor sues owners of Doctors Hospital of Shreveport, La., to recover more than $18,000 in employee retirement benefits

SHREVEPORT, La. – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Doctors Hospital owners David and Chris LeBlanc in an effort to recover $18,904 in employee retirement contributions and employee-paid premiums for medical and disability insurance coverage. The department's lawsuit alleges that the LeBlancs violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 by using assets belonging to the employee retirement and insurance plans for the benefit of their business operations.

June 28, 2013

US Department of Labor announces $2 million to assist storm recovery in Illinois

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $2 million National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in 40 counties throughout Illinois between April 16 and May 5.

"Severe spring storms and flooding have inflicted significant damage on public infrastructure across Illinois," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "Today's grant will begin the important work of cleaning up the widespread damage caused by violent winds and flooding."

June 28, 2013

$2.5 million grant supplement awarded to continue flood recovery efforts in southeastern counties of Ohio

WASHINGTON – A $2.5 million National Emergency Grant supplement was announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor to create about 1,394 temporary jobs to help with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms and flooding that hit 21 counties of southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.