WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) today announced a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Black Lung Benefits Act's standards for administering and interpreting medical testing in connection with black lung benefits claims.

In the week ending September 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 213,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 208,000 to 210,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,000, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 212,250 to 212,750. 

WASHINGTON, DC – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella today announced the designation of Jonathan Wolfson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, as the Department’s Regulatory Reform Officer. The Regulatory Reform Officer has the responsibility to oversee implementation of the Department’s regulatory reform initiatives and policies, ensuring that these are carried out effectively and consistently with applicable law.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant of $3,000,000 to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to assess workforce needs in response to Hurricane Dorian.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) overtime, minimum wage and record-keeping requirements at 15 restaurants in Minneapolis' "Eat Street" district during an education and enforcement initiative. The effort will recover $367,359 in back wages and liquidated damages for 162 employees.

CONCORD, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Ocean State Job Lot for repeat and serious violations at a Stratham, New Hampshire, store. The retailer – based in North Kingstown, Rhode Island – faces a total of $154,199 in penalties for ineffective sanitation and respirator protections for store employees.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $1,056,000 in additional National Dislocated Worker Grant funding to Workforce West Virginia to continue providing employment and training services to workers affected by coal industry layoffs in the state. 

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced additional funding of $1 million for the Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission. The proposed funds will allow participants to continue disaster-relief cleanup efforts resulting from the August 2017 storm, as well as provide employment and training services to eligible individuals.

BUFFALO, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Rex Harper – doing business as REH Property Maintenance – for improper asbestos removal and disposal at Superior Steel Door & Trim Co. Inc. in Jamestown, New York. Harper faces a total of $168,772 in proposed penalties.

COLUMBUS, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Central Ohio Chapter, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals #683 and #1105, have established a strategic partnership to promote employee safety and health at Central Ohio work sites.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced additional funding of $1,841,563 for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant awarded to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Labor - Workforce Investment Agency Division. The funds will allow grant participants to continue disaster-relief cleanup efforts resulting from Typhoons Mangkhut and Yutu, which occurred in September and October 2018, respectively.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant of $2,032,071 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Massachusetts affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced additional funding of $438,844 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development for the National Dislocated Worker Grant currently serving individuals impacted by the closure of Garber Brothers Inc., located in Stoughton, along with Serta Mattress, located in Middleboro.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Jacques-Imo Café – a restaurant based in New Orleans, Louisiana – has paid $55,288 in civil money penalties for violating multiple child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $875,000 in additional funding for a National Dislocated Worker Grant awarded to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The funding will allow for the continuation of reemployment services to workers affected by layoffs from the General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio, as well as from four additional auto industry suppliers in Northeast Ohio.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to make 1.3 million American workers eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

RIVIERA BEACH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Oldcastle APG South Inc. – based in Greensboro, North Carolina, and operating as Coastal, for exposing employees to amputation, struck-by and silica hazards at the company's facility in Riviera Beach, Florida. Oldcastle APG South Inc. faces $132,037 in penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) announced the implementation of new opioid controls to protect injured federal workers. The new controls aim to reduce the risk of long-term opioid use. The Department is committed to reducing the potential of opioid misuse among injured federal workers receiving benefits under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA).

SPRING, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Aztec Construction Inc. – doing business as RSP Aztec Construction Inc. in Spring, Texas – has paid $25,380 in back wages to five employees for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) overtime requirements.

WASHINGTON, DC – The application period for the fall 2020 Honors Program in the Office of the Solicitor at the U.S. Department of Labor is underway. The program provides challenging professional opportunities for outstanding law school graduates with a passion for public service. The approximately 550 attorneys in the U.S. Department of Labor's Solicitor's Office enforce and interpret labor standards, occupational and mine safety and health laws, civil rights laws, pension and health benefit laws, and more on behalf of workers.