April 16, 2013

Judge appoints independent fiduciary to distribute assets of Nationwide Wash Systems Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan in Eden Prairie, Minn.

Date of Action: April 9, 2013

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant: Valerie Kreager and Nationwide Wash Systems, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

Allegations: The complaint alleged that Kreager failed to administer the Plan and authorize distributions on behalf of the Plan participants since the company went out of business. The Plan has three participants with combined assets totaling $29,146.30.

April 11, 2013

Acting US Trade Representative Marantis and acting Labor Secretary Harris announce groundbreaking labor rights enforcement agreement with Guatemala

WASHINGTON — Acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today announced that the United States and Guatemala have agreed on a robust enforcement plan to resolve concerns raised in a labor case brought by the United States under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement. The 18-point plan includes concrete actions with specific time frames that Guatemala will implement within six months to improve labor law enforcement.

April 11, 2013

OPA News Release: Acting U.S. Trade Representative Marantis and Acting Labor Secretary Harris Announce Groundbreaking Labor Rights Enforcement Agreement with Guatemala [04/11/2013]

WASHINGTON — Acting United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Acting Secretary of Labor Seth Harris today announced that the United States and Guatemala have agreed on a robust enforcement plan to resolve concerns raised in a labor case brought by the United States under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The 18-point plan includes concrete actions with specific time frames that Guatemala will implement within six months to improve labor law enforcement.

April 10, 2013

US Department of Labor releases fiscal year 2014 budget request

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today released the U.S. Department of Labor's fiscal year 2014 budget request, which supports President Obama's plan to strengthen the economy and grow the middle class through continued investments in training and resources for job seekers.

April 9, 2013

Operator of southwestern Pennsylvania coal mine found in flagrant violation

ARLINGTON, Va. – Rox Coal Inc., which operates the Geronimo Mine in Somerset County, Pa., has been found in violation of a mandatory electrical hazard safety standard by an administrative law judge with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. The ALJ deemed the violation "quintessentially flagrant" and ordered the company to pay a $110,000 civil penalty.

April 9, 2013

Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris to host April 10 webchat on Labor Departments fiscal year 2014 proposed budget

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris will host a Web-based question-and-answer session on the U.S. Department of Labor's fiscal year 2014 budget request at 2:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 10. He will be joined by assistant secretaries and senior staff.

Information about the department's fiscal year 2014 budget request will be posted at http://www.dol.gov/budget/ at or about 1:30 p.m. EDT on April 10.

April 9, 2013

US Department of Labor provides grant increment to continue re-employment, training services for laid-off California workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $17,171,188 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and training services to more than 4,700 workers affected by layoffs from private and public sector employers in Central and Southern California.

April 9, 2013

S Department of Labor provides continued re-employment assistance for Washington state workers affected by layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $285,804 National Emergency Grant increment to continue re-employment assistance for about 400 workers affected by layoffs while working at the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site in southeastern Washington state.

April 9, 2013

US Labor Department sues defunct Eynon, Pa., car warranty company to protect workers’ retirement assets

Date of Action: April 4, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Charles Yaskulski, Eagle Warranty Corp., and Eagle Warranty Corp. profit sharing plan

April 8, 2013

MSHA releases preliminary data for 2012 reflecting record low fatality and injury rates in mining

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the release of preliminary data for 2012 that indicate the lowest fatality and injury rates in the history of U.S. mining.

"MSHA at a Glance," with updated information on inspections, violations, mines and miners, as well as injury and fatality rates, is available on the agency's website, http://www.msha.gov, under "Fact Sheets."

April 5, 2013

Statement of acting Labor Secretary Seth D. Harris on March employment numbers

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris issued the following statement about the March 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"With the addition of 95,000 new private sector jobs in March, we see more evidence that the U.S. economy continues to bounce back, but not quickly enough for too many middle-class families. The unemployment rate ticked downward slightly to 7.6 percent, the seventh consecutive month below 8 percent.

April 3, 2013

Grants available from US Labor Department to provide job training, employment services for 2,600 homeless veterans

Groups nationwide invited to compete for up to $5 million in funds

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program grants. Approximately 2,600 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

April 3, 2013

Harris v. KIP Corp. involving the mishandling of retirement savings plan contributions in Charlotte, NC

Date of Action: March 29, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Eugene Kiser, Moniquea Scott, KIP Corp.

April 1, 2013

US Department of Labor announces availability of nearly $26 million in grants to help juvenile offenders gain the skills necessary to enter the workforce

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $26 million in grants to improve the long-term labor market prospects of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The "Face Forward"grants are designed to give youth a chance at success by offering support services, training and skills development that can help them obtain employment and overcome the stigma of a juvenile record.

April 1, 2013

US Department of Labor releases Affordable Care Act study on self-insured plans

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today transmitted to Congress the third annual report on self-insured employee health benefit plans. The report, which is established by the Affordable Care Act, contains general information on self-insured employee health benefit plans and financial information on the employers that sponsor them.

March 28, 2013

Accommodations for workers can help retain institutional knowledge

US Labor Department briefs offer recommendations for responding to aging workforce

WASHINGTON — Providing accommodations to aging workers with disabilities, chronic health problems or reduced work capacity can help employers retain experienced staff who might otherwise leave the workforce prematurely, according to two briefs issued today by the U.S. Department of Labor.

March 27, 2013

MSHA announces results of February impact inspections

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 196 citations, 24 orders and three safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 11 coal mines and three metal/nonmetal mines last month.

March 25, 2013

US Labor Department announces new online resources to help businesses recruit, train and retain a skilled work force

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of the Business Center, a suite of online resources for employers looking to recruit, train and retain a skilled work force through the department's CareerOneStop Web site.

March 25, 2013

Harris v. Anderson-McGriff Co. involving abandoned plan in Atlanta

Date of Action: March 11, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Anderson-McGriff Company, Anne Reagan Head as executrix of the estate of John F. Head, III, Jacqueline Crisci as executrix of the estate of John F. Head, III, Lauren Head as executrix of the estate of John F. Head, III, and Anderson-McGriff Company profit-sharing and 401(k) plan.