November 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Finds Three Chicago Area Companies Violated Child Labor Regulations After Minors Suffer Serious Injuries

CHICAGO, IL – After investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), it was determined that three Chicago-area companies – Maria V. Contracting, Prate Roofing & Installations LLC, and Red Line Management – violated the Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). WHD has also assessed a total of $127,262 in civil money penalties against the companies under the Child Labor Enhanced Penalty Program (CLEPP) because three minors suffered substantial impairment during their unlawful employment.  

November 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Pennsylvania Restaurant Paying Back Wages, Damages in Settlement Agreement

HATFIELD, PA – In a consent judgment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Via Marconi Pizza Pub Inc. – a bar and restaurant based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania – will pay $362,988 in back wages and liquidated damages to 25 employees for overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) found by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD). WHD also assessed a $21,398 civil monetary penalty due to the willful nature of the violations.

November 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Federal Court Ordering Commercial Laundry to Pay $266,670 in Back Wages, Damages

LANDSDOWNE, PA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Central Laundry Inc. – based in Landsdowne, Pennsylvania – and its owner George Rengepes and business operator Jimmy Rengepes must pay $133,335 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 32 employees to remedy violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 12, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Wyoming Motel Owners Paying Employees $189,466 for Minimum Wage, Overtime Violations

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – After an investigation by the U.S Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Sunil and Parul Patel – owners of a Motel 6 and Super 8 motel in Riverton, Wyoming – will pay $189,466 to three employees for federal wage violations as part of a consent judgment lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming. Investigators found the employer violated overtime and minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 11, 2019

Fifth Annual National Apprenticeship Week Aims to Highlight Innovative Programs and Raise Awareness

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the start of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2019.

During NAW 2019, events are hosted across the country to celebrate the work of apprentices with thousands of participants nationwide.

November 11, 2019

U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Statement Regarding Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia today issued the following statement regarding Veterans Day:

“Every year on this day, Americans across the country put aside their daily activities to honor the sacrifice and bravery of our nation’s veterans. We at the Department of Labor join our fellow Americans in saluting the men and women of the armed forces for their defense of our cherished freedoms.

November 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Provides Scheduling List for Federal Contractors Subject to Reviews for Compliance with Vietnam Veterans Era Laws

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released its first scheduling list solely for reviews focused on compliance with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These reviews will be similar in scope to reviews OFCCP began earlier in 2019 focused on compliance with its disability law.

November 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Directive Promoting Employment of Military Spouses

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released a directive renewing its commitment to military spouses. The directive encourages contractors to recruit, hire and retain the spouses of veterans and active duty military.

November 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letters to Enhance Military Service Members’ Ability to Succeed in Civilian Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the issuance of two opinion letters that will assist active duty service members in their transitions to the civilian workforce.

November 7, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Florida Painting Contractor Paying $107,890 in Wages for Overtime Violations

ORLANDO, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Memos Painting & Drywall Inc. – based in Orlando, Florida – will pay $107,890 in back wages to 101 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 7, 2019

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending November 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 211,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 218,000 to 219,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,250, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 214,750 to 215,000.

November 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Christopher E. Hagerup As Regional Representative for Chicago Office

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that Christopher E. Hagerup has been named Regional Representative for its Chicago Regional Office.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to working with state and local governments and organizations to create more opportunities for America’s workers,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella said. “Regional Representatives ensure that our partnerships with communities throughout the region remain strong and productive while we pursue policies that encourage economic growth.” 

November 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Determines No U.S. Mining Operations Met Pattern of Violations Criteria for 5th Consecutive Year

ARLINGTON, VA – For the fifth consecutive year, none of the nation’s more than 13,000 mining operations met the criteria for a Pattern of Violations (POV), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced today. The screening period started on September 1, 2018, and ended on August 31, 2019.

November 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Announces James J. Fitzpatrick As Regional Representative for Philadelphia Office

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that James J. Fitzpatrick has been named Regional Representative for its Philadelphia Regional Office.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to working with state and local governments and organizations to create more opportunities for America’s workers,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella said. “Regional Representatives ensure that our partnerships with communities throughout the region remain strong and productive while we pursue policies that encourage economic growth.” 

November 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Awards $1.5 Million in Additional Disaster Recovery Funding to Ohio in Response to Severe Storms and Flooding

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced additional funding of $1,560,000 for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant awarded to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The funds will allow the state to complete remaining disaster-relief recovery efforts in response to severe storms impacting southeastern counties in February 2018.

November 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Ruth Burns Sherlock As Regional Representative for Atlanta Office

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that Ruth Burns Sherlock has been named Regional Representative for its Atlanta Regional Office.

November 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Jeffrey Earle Stone As Regional Representative for San Francisco Office

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that former California State Senator Jeffrey Earle Stone has been named Regional Representative for its San Francisco Regional Office.

November 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Presents 2019 HIRE Vets Medallion Awards

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded 427 employers from around the nation for recruiting, employing and retaining America's veterans. The award recipients attest to hiring more than 52,000 veterans since 2017.

The awards were presented at a ceremony hosted by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia at the Department's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

November 6, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Proposes Increasing Workers’ Assistance And Protection Against Foreign Trade

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would both expand worker access to support opportunities, such as apprenticeships, and make it easier for states to administer the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) Program. This NPRM marks the first proposed regulatory update to the TAA Program in more than two decades.

November 5, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Seeks to Clarify Rule to Improve Veterans, Military Service Members and Families’ Access to Healthcare

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) intended to clarify OFCCP's authority to help veterans, uniformed service members, and their families get access to the healthcare services they need.