In the week ending April 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 192,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since September 6, 1969 when it was 182,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 196,000 to 197,000. The 4-week moving average was 201,250, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since November 1, 1969 when it was 200,500. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 207,000 to 207,250.

HUNTSVILLE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with the University of Alabama Consultation Program, the United Association of Journeymen Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the U.S. and Canada Union, and Holder Construction to promote worker safety and health during construction of a Huntsville, Alabama, data center.

The partners seek to prevent injuries and exposure to hazards during the construction of a 416-acre data center.

MIAMI, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with the University of South Florida Safety and Health Consultation Program, and Shawmut Design and Construction Co. to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the 39,700-square-foot Ransom Everglades School development project in Miami, Florida. The project includes a drop-off loop, two parking lots, and meeting space for the science, technology, engineering, and math facility.

ALLENTOWN, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited framing contractor Navy Contractors, Inc. for willfully exposing employees to fall hazards at residential construction sites in Royersford, Collegeville, and Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The company faces $603,850 in penalties.

HAMBURG, PA - After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has awarded $40,000 for lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages to a former employee of Fairmount Foundry Inc. The employee claimed that the Hamburg, Pennsylvania, iron-casting company terminated him for reporting alleged safety and health hazards to OSHA.

MONTGOMERYVILLE, PA - A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has found that Lloyd Industries Inc. – a manufacturing company based in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania – and its owner William P. Lloyd unlawfully terminated two employees because of their involvement in a safety investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

HONOLULU, HI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the operators of five Goma Tei Ramen restaurants in Honolulu, Hawaii, will pay $190,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 49 employees for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

THONOTOSASSA, FL – Orion Builders Service Inc. – based in Thonotosassa, Florida – has paid $265,001 in back wages to 67 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The employer also paid $17,753 in civil money penalties for repeat violations.

MENDENHALL, MS – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the Simpson County Sheriff's Department – based in Mendenhall, Mississippi – has paid $51,389 in back wages to 43 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

OAK RIDGE, TN – The U.S. Department of Labor will host an event on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to discuss the benefits available to current and former nuclear weapons workers from covered facilities, and their families, under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. Representatives from the Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will present information on their roles in the program.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – Fine Tune Enterprises Inc. - a cleaning service company based in Orlando, Florida - has paid $123,650 in back wages and fringe benefits to 44 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated labor requirements of the Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA).

BOYNTON BEACH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with the University of South Florida, SafetyFlorida Consultation Program, H.J. High Construction, and the Haskell Co. to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the City of Boynton Beach’s Town Square development project in Boynton Beach, Florida.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded additional National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to provide career and training services to individuals forced to relocate in the storm's aftermath and to continue disaster-relief efforts in response to Hurricane Michael.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced the availability of up to $400,000 in funding through its Brookwood-Sago grant program to support education and training to help identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around the nation's mines.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the availability of up to $2.5 million for cooperative agreements with partnerships that will work to increase and expedite attainment of state occupational licenses by veterans and transitioning servicemembers. Through this funding opportunity, the Department expects to award one to three cooperative agreements for between $750,000 and $2,500,000; and the projects will have a three-year period of performance. 

CLEVELAND, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Walsh Construction Company II LLC have signed a strategic partnership to promote worker safety and health during the demolition, remodeling, and construction of the I-480 Valley View Bridge Project in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI – Green Meadows Lawnscape Inc. – operating as Green Meadows Turf & Tree Inc. and based in Rochester Hills, Michigan – has paid $130,325 in back wages to 50 employees to resolve alleged violations of the federal H-2B Visa program for non-immigrant temporary employees and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The employer also paid civil money penalties of $9,675.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for up to $2,500,000, with $833,333 released initially. This grant funding will address the workforce impacts of the opioid crisis by providing employment services to eligible individuals affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.  

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a series of new initiatives aimed at reducing improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program.

DENVER, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Colorado Contractors Association (CCA) have signed an alliance to provide the Colorado construction infrastructure industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources.