WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $1.8 million in funds for up to six Women in Apprenticeship and Non-traditional Occupations grants.

Elkins, West Virginia – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Byron Goldizen, president of defunct Bryco Bore and Pipe Inc., formerly located in Petersburg, West Virginia, for violating his fiduciary responsibility under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to the company’s SIMPLE IRA plan.

The suit alleges that Goldizen failed to remit employee contributions to the plan from June 2006 through December 2008. The company ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 on June 8, 2009.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labors Veterans Employment and Training Service has announced an $8.3 million grant competition to provide job training, counseling and placement services (including job readiness, and literacy and skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force through its Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service has announced a $2 million grant competition under the Veterans' Workforce Investment Program to assist eligible veterans by providing employment, training, support services, credentialing and networking information in renewable and sustainable energy.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $13,614,919 grant to assist about 2,817 workers affected by layoffs at multiple companies in Wisconsin, primarily in the manufacturing sector.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,700,000 grant to assist approximately 319 workers affected by documented and projected layoffs from multiple companies in a defined regional economy in the southwest portion of Alabama. The region is comprised of Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of a report evaluating the outcomes of the Limited English Proficiency and Hispanic Worker Initiative project grants launched four years ago. The report findings highlight both challenges and successes of a pilot project intended to develop language and training opportunities for workers with limited English proficiency skills.

OREM, Utah — Western Wats Center Inc., a market research company based in Orem with locations throughout Utah and six other states, has paid $500,000 in civil money penalties following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation that disclosed violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's child labor regulations.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has secured an agreement to disburse $1.78 million in back wages to approximately 700 employees of Hawk One Security, a Washington, D.C., security guard contractor that failed to pay employees for work performed in September and October 2009.

Washington – The U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services will hold the first meeting of the Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program and Employer Sponsored Coverage Coordination Working Group on April 26 in Washington at the Omni Shoreham, 2500 Calvert St. NW.

The working group will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT to hear public testimony from witnesses. The meeting is open to the public. The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 requires the departments to jointly establish the CHIP Working Group.

Statement of US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on immediate need to extend unemployment insurance and COBRA safety net programs

Editors Note: The U.S. Senate recessed today, March 26, without approving legislation that would have extended emergency unemployment insurance benefits for workers who have lost their jobs and health insurance subsidies under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

Note: This week's release reflects the annual revision to the weekly unemployment claims seasonal adjustment factors. The historical factors from 2005 forward have been revised. The calendar year 2010 factors can be accessed at the following link: http://www.oui.doleta.gov/press/2010/032510.asp

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

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 – 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.