May 8, 2014

WHD News Release: US Department of Labor investigation finds Bayonne, NJ, ship repair contractors owe $720,000 in back wages to workers [05/08/2014]

BAYONNE, N.J. — Bayonne Dry Dock and Repair Corp. and Coastwide Material Supply Corp., based in Bayonne, paid $720,000 in unpaid wages and liquidated damages to the U.S. Department of Labor for distribution to 224 workers who worked for the firms at the Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne.

May 8, 2014

OSHA News Release: Bennett Building Systems cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for not protecting workers from dangerous falls [05/08/2014]

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Bennett Building Systems LLC, which builds metal and wooden structures, such as barns, carports and garages, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for eight violations, including one willful violation, six serious violations and one other-than-serious violation. The agency initiated the November 2103 inspection at the company's facility on Dixon Airline Road in Augusta because of a complaint. The proposed citations total $89,000.

May 8, 2014

OFCCP News Release: US Department of Labor settles charges of racial discrimination with New York City-based federal contractor Parsons Brinckerhoff [05/08/2014]

NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs today announced that federal contractor Parsons Brinckerhoff agreed to settle allegations of hiring discrimination on the basis of race and ethnicity involving 247 job applicants who were rejected for assistant engineer positions at the company's New York City headquarters. The affected class comprises 152 Asian American, 51 Hispanic, 29 African American, 3 Native American and 12 mixed race applicants.

May 8, 2014

ETA News Release: Students from Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos, Texas, handcraft medals to honor public service at US Labor Department [05/08/2014]

A completed DOL Honor Award

WASHINGTON — The craftsmanship of machining and carpentry students at the Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos, Texas, will be on full display at a U.S.

May 7, 2014

US Department of Labor files suit to recover more than $33,000 for employment benefits plan of Remodel King Construction in Rapid City, SD

Employment Benefits Plan of Remodel King Construction in Rapid City, SD

Date of Action: May 6, 2014

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Remodel King Construction Inc., Scott D. Sogge, Remodel King Construction Inc. SARSEP Plan

May 7, 2014

OSHA News Release: Watertown, NY, general construction company cited by US Labor Department's OSHA for 'entirely preventable' fatal fall at Pulaski work site [05/07/2014]

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Following the death of 23-year-old construction worker Kyle Brown, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that his employer, Watertown-based general construction contractor MTL Design Inc., failed to provide and ensure the use of fall protection safeguards that would have prevented his death. OSHA cited the company for a willful and a serious violation.

May 7, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Idaho homebuilder for willfully exposing workers to fall hazards [05/07/2014]

BOISE, Idaho — After a worker was seriously injured from a fall at a construction site, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited TKO Inc., doing business as TKO Custom Homes, with three serious and one willful violation related to fall hazards. OSHA began its inspection of the Twin Falls-based company in November 2013. The employer faces $27,600 in proposed fines for the violations.

May 6, 2014

US Department of Labor obtains consent judgment ordering trustees of Western Steel Erection 401(k) Plan to restore more than $5,900 in benefits

Western Steel Erection 401(k) Plan to restore more than $5,900 in benefits

Date of Action: May 6, 2014

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Names of Defendant: Stephanie J. Jochims and Robert C. Jochims

Allegations: The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment ordering Stephanie J. Jochims, the former owner of Western Steel Erection, Inc., and her husband Robert C. Jochims, to restore $5,957 in employee retirement contributions and loan repayments to the Western Steel Erection 401(k) Plan. The company was located in Long Lake, Minn.

May 6, 2014

OSHA News Release: Conn. contractor cited by US Labor Department's OSHA for wall collapse, fall hazards at construction work site [05/06/2014]

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Stamford-based contractor faces $196,000 in fines for two willful and 12 serious violations following an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Cesar Mendoza, d.b.a.

May 6, 2014

OSHA News Release: San Cast fined $155,900 by US Department of Labor's OSHA for repeatedly exposing workers to falls, amputation hazards at Coshocton, Ohio, plant [05/06/2014]

COSHOCTON, Ohio — A follow-up inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration at San Cast Inc. found workers still exposed to amputation and fall hazards at the Coshocton, Ohio, casting and foundry facility. The facility was previously cited after a worker suffered a leg amputation in June 2013. OSHA has issued 17 additional violations, carrying proposed penalties of $155,900 as a result of the November 2013 inspection.

May 6, 2014

OSHA News Release: Conn. contractor cited by US Labor Department's OSHA for wall collapse, fall hazards at construction work site [05/06/2014]

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Stamford-based contractor faces $196,000 in fines for two willful and 12 serious violations following an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Cesar Mendoza, d.b.a.

May 5, 2014

WHD News Release: US Department of Labor investigation finds Hibachi Buffet Inc. of Minneapolis owes more than $117,000 in unpaid wages to 18 workers [05/05/2014]

MINNEAPOLIS — Workers at the Hibachi Buffet Inc. will be paid a total of $117,152 in back wages following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. The investigation revealed violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping provisions. Kitchen workers typically worked 60 hours per week for a fixed monthly salary, often earning far less than the legally required minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

May 5, 2014

OSHA News Release: Texas fertilizer operator cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for safety and health hazards following serious injury [05/05/2014]

AUSTIN, Texas — After a worker's leg was entangled in an auger in November 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the safety and health practices of American Plant Food Corp.'s Bartlett facility. OSHA issued citations for 12 violations and proposed a penalty of $181,000 for exposing employees to workplace hazards by failing to implement proper energy control procedures that protect workers who service or maintain machines.

May 5, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA follow-up inspection finds company failed to correct violations at previously cited Rasi Laboratories Inc. in Somerset, NJ [05/05/2014]

SOMERSET, N.J. — After a follow-up inspection that began in October 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Rasi Laboratories Inc. for failing to correct previously cited serious violations. The violations included failing to protect workers from dangerous levels of noise that can cause permanent hearing loss and failing to protect them from dangerous equipment. Following the inspection, the nutritional supplement manufacturer faces a $210,000 proposed penalty.

May 5, 2014

MSHA News Release: MSHA issues mine fatality data for the first quarter of 2014 [05/05/2014]

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today released a summary of U.S. mining deaths that occurred during the first quarter of 2014. From Jan. 1 to March 31, eight miners died in accidents in the U.S. mining industry. Three were killed in coal mining accidents and five in metal and nonmetal mining accidents. The previous quarter was marked by 15 deaths and an increase in the metal and nonmetal sector.

May 2, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA renews partnership with El Paso Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America [05/02/2014]

EL PASO, Texas — As part of its continuing effort to keep workers safe and healthy by improving working conditions for construction workers, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has renewed its 2007 strategic partnership with the El Paso Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America.

May 2, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement of US Secretary of Labor Perez on April employment numbers [05/02/2014]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the April 2014 Employment Situation report released today:

"This morning's report demonstrates that the economy continues to rebound after a brutal recession that began in 2007. The economy generated 288,000 new jobs in April. The 273,000 created by private employers brings us to 9.2 million total new private-sector jobs over the last 50 months. Unemployment fell to 6.3 percent, the lowest since September 2008.

May 2, 2014

EBSA News Release: Administration announces proposal to clarify availability of Health Insurance Marketplace coverage to workers eligible for COBRA [05/02/2014]

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration today announced updates to model notices informing workers of their eligibility to continue health-care coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. The updates make it clear to workers that if they are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage when leaving a job, they may choose to instead purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

May 1, 2014

Perez v. Samuel McCutchin, et al., involving default judgment of Upper Darby, Pa., heating company

Date of Action: April 16, 2014

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Samuel McCutchin, Cynthia Lindenman, Snyder Heating Co., and Snyder Heating Co. 401(k) plan

Allegations: Based on an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, on Sept. 19, 2013, the Secretary of Labor filed a complaint alleging as follows:

May 1, 2014

Perez v. Timothy A. Clark, et. al., involving 401(k) plan of Enola, Pa., medical practice

Date of Action: April 22, 2014

Type of Action: Consent Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Timothy A. Clark, Central Pennsylvania Pulmonary Associates LLC and Central Pennsylvania Pulmonary Associates LLC 401(k) plan