January 21, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Commemorates 50 Years Of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 With “Protecting the American Workforce” Campaign

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) with a yearlong celebration of past achievements, current efforts and future initiatives to protect the American workforce.

January 21, 2020

South Carolina Tobacco, Vape Retailer to Pay $46,748 in Back Wages, Damages after U.S. Department of Labor Uncovers Overtime Violations

COLUMBIA, SC After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Dab City Tobacco and Vape LLC, headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, will pay $46,748 in back wages and liquidated damages to 31 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The department also assessed the employer a $21,235 civil money penalty for the willful nature of the violations.

January 21, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation and Litigation Results in Consent Judgment Requiring New York Restaurants to Pay Back Wages and Liquidated Damages to 79 Current and Former Employees

WESTBURY, NY – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has entered a consent judgment requiring three Long Island, New York-area restaurants and their owners to pay a total of $365,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 79 current and former employees. The court action follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and litigation by the department’s Office of the Solicitor. The defendants must also pay $15,000 in penalties.

January 20, 2020

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

January 17, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Federal Child Labor Law Violations at Restaurant Locations in 9 States

LOUISVILLE, KY – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Manna Inc. – a Louisville, Kentucky-based franchisee of 99 Wendy’s and Fazoli’s restaurants in nine states – will pay a civil money penalty of $157,114 for violating child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 17, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Philadelphia Refinery For Process Safety Management Hazards after Fire and Explosions

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Philadelphia Energy Solutions for serious violations of safety and health hazards related to process safety management (PSM) following a fire and subsequent explosions at the company’s Girard Point Refinery Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June 2019. The company faces $132,600 in penalties.

January 17, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Mississippi Wine And Liquor Store Paying $22,782 in Back Wages and Damages

JACKSON, MS – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Warehouse Liquors & Wines Inc. – operating as Wines & Spirits in the Quarter in Jackson, Mississippi – has paid $22,782 in back wages and liquidated damages to six employees for violating the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Detroit Area Car Wash Operator Paying $83,741 in Back Wages and Damages

DETROIT, MI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Super Car Wash Systems & Holdings LLC – based in Royal Oak, Michigan – has paid $83,741 in back wages and damages to 60 current and former employees at nine Detroit metro-area car wash locations. WHD investigators found the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Grain Handling Company After Two Employees Fatally Engulfed in Grain Storage Bin

TOLEDO, OHIO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited The Andersons Inc. for grain handling, and walking and working surfaces violations after two employees attempting to clear a clogged floor hole in a grain storage bin became fatally engulfed at the company’s Toledo, Ohio, facility. OSHA has proposed $291,716 in penalties.

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Seattle Seafood Restaurant Paying Employees $99,625 in Back Wages

SEATTLE, WA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Joy Fish Restaurant – a seafood restaurant in Seattle, Washington – will pay $99,625 to 28 employees to resolve  violations of provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Plumbing Contractor for Exposing Employees to Hazards After Fatal Trench Collapse in Mississippi

TAYLOR, MS – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Rhobina Electric Inc. – a commercial electrical and plumbing contractor based in Batesville, Mississippi – for exposing employees to excavation hazards after a worker suffered fatal injuries in a trench collapse at a Taylor, Mississippi, worksite. The contractor faces $37,318 in penalties.

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Little Rock Water Park Paying Penalty to Settle Child Labor Violations

LITTLE ROCK, AR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Aquapark LLC – doing business as Wild River Country in Little Rock, Arkansas – has paid $5,559 in civil money penalties to resolve child labor work hours violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Proposed Rule Regarding Equal Treatment of Faith-Based Organizations in U.S. Department of Labor-Supported Social Service Programs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department) is proposing a rule that would implement President Trump’s Executive Order No. 13831 (May 3, 2018), remove regulatory burdens on religious organizations and ensure that religious and non-religious organizations are treated equally in Department-supported programs.

January 16, 2020

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending January 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 204,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 214,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,250, a decrease of 7,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 224,000.

January 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Target Corp. For Blocked Emergency Exit Access at Two Massachusetts Stores

ANDOVER, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Target Corp. for emergency exit access hazards at stores in Danvers and Framingham, Massachusetts. The national retailer faces a total of $227,304 in penalties.

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Texas Trucking Company Paying $173,426 in Back Wages

AUSTIN, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Rami Transportation Inc. – based in San Marcos, Texas – has paid $173,426 in back wages to 66 employees to resolve overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Offers Benefits Information for Current, Former Nuclear Weapons Workers, and Enrolled Medical Providers in New Mexico

nuclear weapons workers benefits

SANTA FE, NM – Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies will host two presentations in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Thursday, February 27, 2020

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Fines Ohio Roofing Contractor

WATERVILLE, OHIO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Casey Bortles – a roofing contractor based in Holland, Ohio – for exposing employees to falls. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $242,534.

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Popular Seattle Restaurant Paying $419,459 in Back Wages, Damages

SEATTLE, WA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Tacos Chukis – a restaurant with four locations in Seattle, Washington – has paid $419,459 to 92 employees to resolve violations of overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

January 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Vinyl Flooring Manufacturer For Machine Hazards Following Worker Amputation

FOSTORIA, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Nox U.S. LLC for exposing employees to machine hazards and failing to develop hazardous energy control procedures to prevent employees from coming into contact with moving machine parts. OSHA has proposed $316,929 in penalties, and placed the Fostoria, Ohio, vinyl floor manufacturer in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.