WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,222,904 National Emergency Grant to provide training and other services for approximately 175 workers affected by layoffs at Mersen USA, a manufacturer located in Newburyport, Mass., and Philips Lightolier, a lighting company located in Wilmington, Mass.

Date of Action: Feb. 19, 2014

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: The Anesthesia & Pain Center of Akron Inc., The Anesthesia & Pain Center of Akron Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan, Frank Kousaie

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia sports bar and restaurant chain Chickie's & Pete's has signed a consent judgment agreeing to pay current and former employees more than $6.8 million in back wages and damages for improperly taking tips from servers and violating federal minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping requirements. Following one of the U.S.

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia sports bar and restaurant chain Chickie's & Pete's has signed a consent judgment agreeing to pay current and former employees more than $6.8 million in back wages and damages for improperly taking tips from servers and violating federal minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping requirements. Following one of the U.S.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services have announced the publication of final regulations implementing a 90-day limit on waiting periods for health coverage.

"This is a common sense measure that helps workers access employer-sponsored health insurance while providing employers flexibility," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Phyllis C. Borzi.

HOMERVILLE, Ga. — Dupont Yard Inc., a forest products manufacturer, has been cited for 22 safety and health violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA started its inspection following a complaint regarding hazardous working conditions at the company's manufacturing facility in Homerville. Proposed penalties total $279,400.

Grant applications accepted through June 19, 2014

Guardian Graphics Profit Sharing Plan in Chicago

Date of Action: Jan. 13, 2014

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Richard J. Jurczykowski, Richard A. Lindahl, Guardian Graphics Ltd., Guardian Graphics Ltd. Profit Sharing Plan

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Former McDonald's franchisee Cheung Enterprises LLC and president Andrew Cheung, based in Middletown, have agreed to pay $205,977 in back wages and liquidated damages to 291 employees, including 178 foreign student workers hired under the U.S. State Department's J-1 visa program. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found that the company violated the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act at the company's six locations across central Pennsylvania.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Artbeats Inc. for repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards at its Cheshire facility. The company, which manufactures reproductions of prints and paintings, faces $56,430 in proposed fines following an inspection by OSHA's Bridgeport Area Office begun Dec. 3, 2013, in response to a worker complaint.

Grant applications are now being accepted for latest round of funding

Grant application period is open to compete for second round of this funding

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $30 million through the second round of the Training to Work — Adult Reentry competitive grant program to help men and women participating in a state or local prison work-release programs gain the job skills necessary to succeed in an in-demand occupation upon reintegrating back into society.

Employee Retirement Plan of Madison-based IDS Sales & Engineering Inc.

Date of Action: Feb. 12, 2014

Type of Action: Complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Madison

Names of Defendant: David Stratton, IDS Sales & Engineering Inc., IDS Sales & Engineering Inc. Retirement Savings Plan

Date of Action: Jan. 30, 2014

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Timothy J. Clifford, Jr., Patrick D. Clifford, Clifford Replacement Windows & Siding, Inc., CRW Inc. 401(k) Plan in Mount Prospect, Ill.

Date of Action: Feb. 12, 2014

Type of Action: Complaint

Name of Defendants: Animal Clinic of Alamo Inc., Deborah Knibb, John C. Baine III and Animal Clinic of Alamo Profit Sharing Plan

ELMORE, Ala. — Amtech Southeast Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 15 safety and health violations, carrying $50,000 in proposed penalties. The agency initiated an inspection of the company's manufacturing facility in Elmore in September 2013 after receiving a complaint concerning workplace hazards.

SALEM, Ala. — Dudley Lumber Co. Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 26 safety and health violations following an August 2013 inspection at the company's facility in Salem. OSHA initiated the inspection as part of the agency's national emphasis program on amputations and noise. The proposed penalties total $106,650.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In August 2013, a 32-year-old machine helper entered a large wire mesh manufacturing machine to retrieve a fallen metal bar, and he was struck and killed by a part that feeds the wire into the machine's welding area. The light curtain that would have automatically turned the machine off before he entered the danger zone had been disabled. Proper operation of the machine's guards, a basic Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, would have saved his life.

ELMORE, Ala. — Amtech Southeast Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 15 safety and health violations, carrying $50,000 in proposed penalties. The agency initiated an inspection of the company's manufacturing facility in Elmore in September 2013 after receiving a complaint concerning workplace hazards.

SYRACUSE, NY — Serious workplace safety violations were found in connection with the September 2013 explosion at the Canastota Wastewater Treatment Plant that killed one worker and injured another. Joy Process Mechanical Inc. of East Syracuse and M. Hubbard Construction Inc. of Mottville were hired by the plant to replace piping inside a methane gas dome, a confined space.