WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a series of new initiatives aimed at reducing improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program.

DENVER, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Colorado Contractors Association (CCA) have signed an alliance to provide the Colorado construction infrastructure industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources.

PEORIA, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed an alliance with the Illinois On-Site Consultation Program, and Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) to address safety and health hazards faced by industry employees.

In the week ending April 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 196,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since October 4, 1969 when it was 193,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 202,000 to 204,000. The 4-week moving average was 207,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since December 6, 1969 when it was 204,500. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 213,500 to 214,000.

SOUDERTON, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Brutus Construction Inc. for exposing employees to fall and other safety hazards at a worksite in Souderton, Pennsylvania. The company faces $181,699 in penalties.

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor will host an event on Thursday, May 2, 2019, in Middle Island, New York, to discuss the benefits available to current and former nuclear weapons workers from covered facilities, and their families, under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will present information on their roles in the program.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor recently made available $82.5 million in Reentry Employment Opportunity grants and $5 million in Fidelity Bonding Demonstration grants to improve employment opportunities for young adults and adults exiting the criminal justice system.

NEW YORK, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has begun an education and enforcement initiative to address common Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations and to enhance compliance with federal wage laws in the dry cleaning and laundry services industry in the Northeast Region of the United States.

PICAYUNE, MS – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Heritage Plastics Inc. for exposing employees to amputations at the company's facility in Picayune, Mississippi. The plastics manufacturer faces $159,118 in penalties, including a willful violation that carries the maximum penalty allowed.

GUAYNABO, PR – U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) representatives are working in St. Croix and St. Thomas to provide compliance assistance and education for employers, and to investigate payroll practices related to ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that the Office of the Federal Register has published the Department's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would revise and clarify the responsibilities of employers and joint employers to employees in joint employer arrangements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The official publication in the Federal Register marks the start of the proposal's public comment period, which will remain open for 60 days and close on June 10, 2019.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that Judith S. Boggs has been assigned to chair the Department's Benefits Review Board. Boggs assignment comes upon the departure of Betty Jean Hall, who retired as board chair on March 31, 2019. Prior to this appointment, Boggs served as a member of the Benefits Review Board (BRB) since 2004, and on the Administrative Review Board from 2002 to 2004.

KENNESAW, GA – After an agreement between the U.S. Department of Labor and Schadsons Corp., the Office of Administrative Law Judges in Washington, D.C., entered a consent order, affirming that the mechanical contractor violated labor provisions of the Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA).

DETROIT, MI – Ally Financial Services – based in Detroit, Michigan – has paid a total of $198,311 to 1,287 employees after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the employer failed to calculate overtime pay correctly for hourly employees who also earned a production bonus. These errors resulted in overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

DENVER, NC - Wooden pallet manufacturer Tree Brand Packaging Inc. – based in Denver, North Carolina – will pay $22,640 in back wages to 48 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The employer also paid a civil penalty of $2,218 for federal child labor violations.

WHD investigators found the employer:

MACON, GA – The Georgia Department of Human Services - operating as Bibb County Division of Family and Children Services in Macon, Georgia - has paid an employee $18,910 in lost wages and reinstated her to her former position after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

ORANGE CITY, FL - MorBury OC LLC – operator of Jimmy John's Store 1151 restaurant in Orange City, Florida – has paid a civil penalty of $2,218 after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

KEY WEST, FL – East on the West Side Inc. – operating as Ambrosia Japanese Restaurant in Key West, Florida – will pay $72,425 in back wages and liquidated damages to 15 employees after the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found violations of overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

CAROLINA BEACH, NC – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina has ordered Hurricane Alley LLC, Diver Down LLC – operating Hurricane Alley and The Dive restaurants in Carolina Beach, North Carolina – and their owner David Cole to pay $40,555 in back wages to 30 employees. The action comes after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found violations of minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

CENTRAL CITY, KY – New Lucky Garden Inc. – a restaurant in Central City, Kentucky, operating as Lucky Garden – will pay $78,562 in back wages and liquidated damages to eight employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).