August 7, 2007

Five Long Island restaurants ordered to pay more than $980,000 to resolve U.S. Labor Department lawsuits alleging federal wage and hour law violations

WESTBURY, N.Y.Five commonly operated restaurants located throughout Long Island, N.Y., and seven officers of the companies have been ordered to pay 192 employees a total of $966,046 in overtime back wages, and to pay the U.S. Department of Labor civil money penalties totaling $14,773 to resolve lawsuits filed by the department alleging violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

August 7, 2007

U.S. Department of Labors Office of Labor-Management Standards reports four indictments, six convictions during July for union funds embezzlement

Court-ordered restitution from enforcement actions exceeds $101 million since 2001

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) today announced its criminal enforcement data for July 2007. During July, OLMS obtained four indictments and six convictions, for a total of 73 indictments and 100 convictions during fiscal year 2007 to date. These indictments and convictions primarily involve union officers and employees who have embezzled union funds.

August 6, 2007

U.S. Labor Department sues officers of Port Huron, Michigan, business to recover contributions to company 401(k) plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

July 31, 2007

U.S. Labor Department marks sixth anniversary of energy workers compensation program

$3 billion to 32,000 workers and survivors

WASHINGTONToday marks the sixth anniversary of the U.S. Department of Labor's administration of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. The department has administered Part B of the program since its inception in July 2001 and was charged with implementation of Part E in October 2004 as part of an amendment to the energy program.

July 26, 2007

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao recognizes 17th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

WASHINGTON — Marking the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will make available a new video on how small businesses can save time and money, and increase productivity, by recruiting, hiring and advancing employees with disabilities.

July 26, 2007

U.S. Labor Department solicits nominations for 2008 ERISA Advisory Council

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

July 26, 2007

U.S. Labor Department obtains appointment of independent fiduciary for abandoned Mineola, N.Y., 401(k) plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

July 25, 2007

U.S. Department of Labor recovers $976,327 due 904 employees of Colorado-based Ball Aerospace and Technologies Inc.

Includes facilities in Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Georgia and D.C.

DENVERThe U.S. Department of Labor today announced an agreement with Ball Aerospace and Technologies Inc., a Broomfield, Colo.-based aerospace defense contractor, to pay $976,327 in back wages to 904 employees at Ball facilities in Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Georgia and the District of Columbia.

July 24, 2007

Employee Benefits Security Administration releases field assistance bulletin on tax sheltered annuity programs

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

July 23, 2007

Minimum wage will increase to $5.85 on July 24

U.S. Department of Labors Wage and Hour Division posts compliance materials on Web site

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor reminds employers and employees that the federal minimum wage will increase to $5.85 on July 24. With this change, workers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will be entitled to be paid no less than $5.85 per hour. The law also requires that workers be paid on their regular paydays for all hours worked during a pay period.

July 19, 2007

U.S. Labor Department obtains judgment restoring $300,000 to Buffalo pension plans

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

July 19, 2007

U.S. Labor Department action restores funds to San Luis Obispo 401(k) fund

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

July 18, 2007

Statement by U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao on House of Representatives vote to cut budget of agency responsible for labor union oversight

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued the following statement:

"Last night's House action cutting the budget of the Office of Labor Management Standards will impede effective enforcement of the law that protects union democracy and financial integrity for rank and file members."

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

July 18, 2007

DisabilityInfo.Gov introduces new state and local resources map to assist visitors in locating disability-related information close to home

WASHINGTON — The federal government's one-stop Web site for disability-related information and resources — DisabilityInfo.gov — today unveiled a new feature, a state and local resources map, designed to assist visitors in finding disability-related information in their own states and localities.

July 17, 2007

Las Vegas construction company to pay nearly $1.2 million in back wages to 1,060 workers following U.S. Labor Department investigation

SAN FRANCISCO — Desert Plastering, a Las Vegas plastering and masonry company, has agreed to pay $1,147,921 in back wages to 1,060 current and former employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Investigators found that the lathers, finishers, plasterers and estimators who worked as many as 58 hours a week did not receive overtime pay. Desert Plastering also failed to properly record the hours of work for these employees, who will receive back wage payments for work performed between April 2005 and March 2007.

July 16, 2007

Connecticut substance abuse facility and parent companies ordered to pay more than $1 million in back wages to resolve U.S. Labor Department lawsuit

NORTH STONINGTON, Conn. — Stonington Behavioral Health Inc. in North Stonington, doing business as Stonington Institute, and Pennsylvania-based parent companies Universal Health Services Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc. have been ordered to pay 143 employees more than $1 million in back wages to resolve a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor alleging violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

July 16, 2007

U.S. Labor Department sues to recover assets for former Birmingham, Ala., company’s 401(k) plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

July 10, 2007

U.S. Labor Department obtains judgment to recover nearly $1.2 million for Miami-based employee retirement plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.