WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding African American History Month:

"African American History Month affords us an opportunity to reflect upon the many important contributions African Americans have made to our communities, our economy, and our culture. This month is a tribute and a time to explore the deep-rooted history and the many sacrifices African Americans have made to help mold our nation into what it is today.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the January 2019 Employment Situation report:

"January's Job Report demonstrated the strength of the American economy, with 304,000 jobs added as private sector job creation continued to surge despite the partial government shutdown. Significant growth in the mining, construction, and transportation and warehousing sectors led the report.

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, has ordered Brinker International Inc. – operating as Maggiano's Little Italy in Atlanta, Georgia – and its subsidiary, Brinker International Payroll Company LP, to pay $49,500 in back wages and liquidated damages to 70 employees for violating the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The action comes after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

NEW YORK – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has sentenced Sergio Acosta – the former president and a representative of United Auto Workers Local 2326 in Edison, New Jersey – to three years of probation, and ordered him to pay $32,000 in restitution for embezzling funds from the union's employee benefit plan.

WAUSAU, WI – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, Shadowlake Enterprises – operator of four Subway Restaurant franchise locations in Wausau, Wisconsin – has paid $47,657 in civil money penalties for child labor and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Tuff Automation Inc. has paid a civil money penalty of $28,474 after a 17-year-old employee suffered an amputation of his right index finger while operating an unguarded band saw at the Grand Rapids, Michigan, manufacturing facility. The minor also suffered significant nerve damage to his right middle finger.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that as of today, January 31, 2019, the application period is open for job creators to apply for the HIRE Vets Medallion Award. This program recognizes small businesses, non-profit organizations, and large companies for their leadership in recruiting, employing, and retaining America's veterans. To apply for the award, visit HireVets.gov.

In the week ending January 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 253,000, an increase of 53,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the highest level for initial claims since September 30, 2017 when it was 254,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 199,000 to 200,000. The 4-week moving average was 220,250, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 215,000 to 215,250.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced $85 million in grants will be awarded to YouthBuild programs in 32 states.

YouthBuild is an education and training program with a strong pre-apprenticeship component that helps at-risk youth complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.

BOSTON, MA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ordered P & B Partitions Inc. and its owner Ronald H. Biglin Jr. to pay $158,139 in back wages and liquidated damages to 50 employees, to resolve willful violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company – based in West Berlin, New Jersey – was also assessed $33,880 in civil money penalties.

HARTFORD, CT – The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut ordered Eastern Awning Systems Inc. – a manufacturer of retractable fabric patio awnings based in Watertown, Connecticut – and its owner Stephen P. Lukos to pay a total of $160,000 to two discharged employees who filed safety and health complaints with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has resumed normal enforcement operations throughout Florida following Hurricane Michael.

CANTON, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the Town of Canton, North Carolina, has paid a civil penalty of $7,060 after employing two minor employees in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) child labor requirements.

PANAMA CITY, FL – Marathon Electrical Contractors Inc. – based in Irondale, Alabama – has paid $82,515 in back wages and fringe benefits to 17 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) hosts a variety of seminars across the country and webcasts in order to enhance understanding of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

MACON, GA – Federal contractor Asplundh Tree Expert Co. has agreed to pay $55,000 in back wages after a routine compliance evaluation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) found alleged systemic hiring discrimination violations at its Macon, Georgia, facility. Asplundh Tree Expert Co. has also agreed to make job offers for specific positions, to up to five eligible class members who express an interest in employment and meet qualifications.

In the week ending January 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 199,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since November 15, 1969 when it was 197,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 213,000 to 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,000, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 220,750 to 220,500.

NAPLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Ad-Ler Roofing Inc. for exposing employees to dangerous falls at a Naples residential worksite, one month after similar violations were found at another worksite. The Fort Myers, Florida-based contractor faces penalties of $91,466.

MIAMI, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a consent judgment and order between the U.S. Department of Labor and Kevin F. Kirkeide, a former chief financial officer for IOTC Financial Services LLC and Global Oil Financial Services LLC – both based in Boca Raton, Florida.

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership agreement to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the Central Passenger Terminal Complex Modernization project at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.