In the week ending August 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 210,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 213,750, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 215,500.

CHICAGO, IL - U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and U.S. Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon discussed President Trump’s strong support for America’s small business job creators during a visit today to Superior Graphite, a small business manufacturer in Chicago.

After a tour of the facility, Secretary Acosta and Administrator McMahon participated in a roundtable discussion with leaders from several small businesses.

KILLBUCK, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Sperry & Rice LLC for 44 safety and health violations at its rubber and plastic manufacturing plant in Killbuck, Ohio. The company faces penalties totaling $400,775.

ROCK ISLAND, TN – Hillis Group LLC, based in Rock Island, Tennessee, will pay $89,204 in back wages and liquidated damages to 42 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found that the asphalt and trucking company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

ELKHART, IN – Recreational vehicle manufacturer RV Factory LLC – based in Elkhart, Indiana – will pay $55,484 in overtime back wages to 157 former and current employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found multiple violations of the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JLBS Construction, a construction company based in Indianapolis, Indiana, will pay $98,236 in overtime back wages to 112 employees, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found the employer had violated overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Harvey Cleary Builders of Houston, Texas, have established a strategic partnership to promote workplace safety and educate workers on hazards during a construction project in the District of Columbia.

GUAYNABO, PR– Ceres Environmental Services Inc. – a contractor based in San Juan, Puerto Rico – which installed temporary roofing as part of hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, has paid $500,000 in back wages to 995 employees to resolve violations of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

MANASSAS, VA - A direct mail company has paid $355,672 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 73 employees to resolve violations of overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute’s Safety, Health and Environmental Services Group; Choate Construction Co.; and Associated General Contractors of Georgia Inc. (AGC Georgia) to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the Holbrook of Woodstock, a senior living development project in Woodstock, Georgia.

WOOSTER, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited ArtiFlex Manufacturing for exposing workers at its Wooster location to amputation hazards after an employee suffered a partial finger amputation. The company faces $213,411 in proposed penalties.

MANCHESTER, N.H.  – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), The Fairbank Group LLC will implement extensive corrective measures to resolve violations of the child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and ensure future compliance at its three recreational resorts. The company has also paid a $21,582 penalty. 

In the week ending August 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 212,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 213,000 to 214,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,500, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 214,250 to 214,500.

Training on Federal Construction and Service Contracts Set for August 27-28

SAN JUAN, PR – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will offer a comprehensive compliance seminar for federal contractors, unions, and workers to provide information on the rules governing federal prevailing wage requirements.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited G&H Underground Construction for allowing the use of unguarded machines after an employee suffered a serious injury at a worksite in St. Augustine. The company faces $57,738 in proposed penalties. 

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has entered a consent judgment requiring Paul Dill Associates Inc. and its two owners, Paul Joseph Dill and Paul Jeremy Dill - doing business as Bi County Auto Body - to pay $185,000 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 49 employees, plus $30,000 in civil penalties.

RIVERSIDE, CA – Carnegie Schools-Riverside - located in Riverside, California - has paid $134,046 owed to 75 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Thai Satay Restaurant has paid $313,742 in back wages and liquidated damages to 20 employees at its South San Francisco and San Mateo locations after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

PHOENIX, AZ – More than 120 employees will share $394,438 in back wages and liquidated damages recovered by the U.S. Department of Labor to conclude a lawsuit filed by the Department’s Office of the Solicitor against national staffing agency Employer Solutions Staffing Group LLC and Arizona staffing agencies TBG Logistics LLC and Countrywide Payroll & HR Solutions Inc. for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SAN DIEGO, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor reached a settlement with Parker Hannifin Corp. that requires the company to pay $222,000 to remedy pay discrimination violations identified at its San Diego Composite Sealing Solutions facility.