GRANT, MI – Michigan roofing and siding contractor American Classic Construction Inc. will pay $310,000 in back overtime wages and liquidated damages to 74 employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) in Grand Rapids that found the employer had violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

PHILADELPHIA, PA – In an effort to help establish prevailing wage rates, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a survey of heavy construction projects in Virginia to collect data on wages paid to workers, as required under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts.

The survey includes wages paid on all heavy construction projects that occurred in Virginia between March 1, 2017, and February 28, 2018. The survey is not limited to federally funded construction projects.

CONCORD, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited EWP Renewable Corp., doing business as Springfield Power LLC, for 25 safety violations after an employee suffered fatal injuries after he was pulled into a conveyor at the company’s Springfield plant in November 2017. The Mount Laurel, New Jersey, company faces $125,460 in proposed penalties.

BOSTON, MA – After multiple investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit ordered a Maine roofing contractor who has operated as Lessard Roofing & Siding Inc. and Lessard Brothers Construction Inc. to implement a comprehensive safety and training program after receiving repeated citations for exposing workers to falls.

SEATTLE, WA – Ecos Homecare Inc., owners of three Washington State residential home-care facilities, will pay $213,461 to 26 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the May 2018 Employment Situation report:

“With the unemployment rate falling to 3.8% in May, the lowest in over 18 years, America’s job market remains strong. The unemployment rates for African-Americans and Asian-Americans reached record lows. Adult women and adult men recorded the lowest unemployment rates since 2000, at 3.3% and 3.5% respectively.

In the week ending May 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 221,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 234,000. The 4-week moving average was 222,250, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 219,750.

Read the full release.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction and payment of $131,508 – representing $65,754 in overtime back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages – for 25 employees of a Minneapolis flooring company.

KANSAS CITY, MO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association Kansas City Chapter (SMACNA-KC) have signed an alliance to protect sheet metal and air conditioning employees from industry-specific hazards.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Bay Area Underpinning Inc., a Northern California foundation repair company, will pay $62,672 to 16 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – During tours today in Maine of the Penobscot Job Corps Center and the Cianbro Institute, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) highlighted the importance of ensuring all Americans have the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow. With Maine’s unemployment rate holding at a record low for two straight months, Secretary Acosta and Senator Collins focused on the importance of ensuring that workforce education programs meet the needs of job creators and job seekers.

GLASGOW, KY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has debarred Christopher Lee Smith – owner of Christopher Lee Smith Farms in Glasgow – from applying for certification to request temporary foreign workers under the H-2A agricultural worker visa program for three years. WHD also assessed the employer a $35,755 civil penalty for violating the labor provisions of the H-2A program, and found that Smith owed $58,820 in back wages to 14 employees.

WICHITA, KS ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Wichita roofing contractor Jose Barrientos for exposing employees to falls and other safety hazards. Barrientos faces proposed penalties totaling $191,071 for two willful and six serious violations.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today regarding Memorial Day:

“On Memorial Day, Americans keep a promise to forever honor the courage, bravery, and patriotism of America’s fallen heroes. Through solemn observances and in quiet moments, we honor the proud men and women of America’s armed services who gave their lives to defend our nation. We are forever grateful for their selfless sacrifice. Because of their heroic service, we are able to live in freedom.”

MARATHON, FL – Marathon Paradise Inc., which operates a seafood restaurant based in Marathon, Florida, will pay $210,258 in back wages to 78 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – When President Trump addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation in January of this year, he reminded the audience that his commitment to our farmers has been clear since the day his Administration began:  “From that day on, we have been working every day to deliver for America’s farmers just as they work every single day to deliver for us.” 

BATON ROUGE, LA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has opened registration for a comprehensive compliance seminar for employers and federal contractors on the requirements of federal labor laws. Attendance is free; pre-registration is required.

The training event will be held June 7 at the Baton Rouge Community College, 201 Community College Drive. Attendees should check-in from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on June 7. The program ends at 5:00 p.m.

ST. PAUL, MN – The State of Minnesota’s 2nd Judicial District Court in Ramsey County has sentenced Latasha Lee Rosetta Wilson - former treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1969 - to 20 years of probation and 100 hours of community service after she pleaded guilty to making $58,150 in unauthorized cash withdrawals from the union.

The court ordered Wilson to make full restitution to the local union that represents U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employees in the Twin Cities area, and fined her.

McLEAN, VA - The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has ordered the appointment of an independent fiduciary to distribute $535,790 in assets to 24 participants of the Cambridge Technology Group Inc. 401(k) Plan and removed Cambridge Technology Group Inc. and the company’s president and CEO Andrew Carrington as fiduciaries in a default judgment entered on May 22, 2018.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited P&S Paving Inc., a Daytona Beach underground utility construction company, for exposing employees to cave-in hazards. The company faces $138,927 in proposed penalties.