WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced funding of a $833,325 Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant awarded to Workforce West Virginia to assess workforce needs in response to storms that brought heavy rainfall, flooding and wind damage.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $875,000 in National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to assess workforce needs after layoffs from the General Motors plant in Lordstown, as well as from three additional auto industry suppliers in Northeast Ohio.

WASHINGTON, DC - To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a nationwide initiative to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program in the landscaping industry. The initiative includes providing compliance assistance tools and information to employers and stakeholders, as well as conducting investigations of employers using this program.

SAN DIEGO, CA – Two San Diego-area massage parlor companies – Yuanjun International Inc. and Rama Thai Massage – will pay 17 employees a collective $61,317 after U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigations found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

GREENVILLE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Harrison Industries LLC - operating as Structural Wood Systems Inc. - for exposing employees to multiple hazards at its Greenville, Alabama, worksite. The company faces $85,362 in proposed penalties.

SUMMIT, MS – Kased Brothers Halal Meat Inc. – a slaughterhouse based in Summit, Mississippi – paid $14,768 in back wages to 12 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the company violated minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company was assessed and paid a civil penalty of $8,368 for child labor violations.

DENVER, CO – On September 14, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Denver, Colorado, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the "Overtime Rule."

KANSAS CITY, MO – On September 13, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Kansas City, Missouri, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the “Overtime Rule.”

SEATTLE, WA – On September 11, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Seattle, Washington, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the "Overtime Rule."

WINTER GARDEN, FL – KBL Buildings Inc. – based in Winter Garden, Florida – will pay $111,197 in back wages to 100 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found that the metal framing construction company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

ORLANDO, FL – Loyal Source Government Services LLC – a medical and support staff contactor based in Orlando, Florida – will pay $574,989 to 4,047 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation determined the company violated the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA).

WHD investigators found Loyal Source Government Services LLC unlawfully deducted $10 per paycheck from each employee for the administration of employee health and welfare benefits.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the August 2018 Employment Situation Report:

"The August jobs report shows continued, strong job growth with 201,000 jobs created and an unemployment rate holding at 3.9%.  More than 4 million jobs have been created since November 2016.  Since 1970, the unemployment rate has registered below 4% just nine times; four of those months have been recorded during 2018.

ATLANTA, GA – Emergency crews and residents of the Gulf Coast region of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi faced with debris caused by Tropical Storm Gordon should be aware of hazards they may encounter and take steps to stay safe, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges.

SAVANNAH, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute's Safety, Health, and Environmental Services Group; Choate Construction Co.; and Associated General Contractors of Georgia Inc. (AGC Georgia) have signed a strategic partnership agreement to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the Eastern Wharf-River Works, a multi-story mixed used development project in Savannah.

In the week ending September 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 203,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 213,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since December 6, 1969 when it was 202,000. The 4-week moving average was 209,500, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 212,250. This is the lowest level for this average since December 6, 1969 when it was 204,500.

SAN JUAN, PR – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has signed agreements with the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, Labor Standards Division (PR-LSD), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (OCPR) to establish collaborative relationships to promote compliance with laws where the agencies have common interests.

WASHINGTON, DC - To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a nationwide initiative to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program in the hotel industry.

BETHEL PARK, PA – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment against Danny's Pizza Enterprises Inc. – a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, quick-service restaurant doing business as Danny's Pizza & Hoagies – following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found the employer violated the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement regarding Labor Day:

“Today, on Labor Day, we celebrate the accomplishments of the American workforce, a record 156 million strong.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today regarding President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order strengthening retirement security for employees in small and mid-sized businesses: