BAY MINETTE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited MPV Morganton Pressure Vessels North Carolina LLC, for exposing employees to fire, explosion, laceration, and struck-by hazards. The Bay Minette metal tank manufacturer faces proposed penalties of $101,800.

In the week ending February 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 221,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 230,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,500, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 234,500. This is the lowest level for this average since March 10, 1973 when it was 222,000.

DALTON, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited First Source Worldwide LLC for several workplace safety hazards that put employees at risk of injury. The company faces proposed penalties of $256,088.

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Southern Illinois Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program (CJAP) have signed an alliance to provide members of the St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council (CRC) with training and resources to prevent common construction injuries.

ROCKY FORD, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Pioneer Health Care Center of Rocky Ford for failing to protect employees from violence in the workplace. The nursing home faces proposed penalties of $9,054.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation, Laura and Carole Nobis – owners of Nobis Care Homes – have paid $194,275 in back wages to 13 caregivers and cooks to resolve Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations.  

PROVIDENCE, RI – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) participated in a multi-agency investigation related to pension fund theft that has resulted in a criminal conviction. John M. Hairabet, Jr., a former business associate and office manager of New England Anesthesiologists Inc.

OMAHA, NE – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited two Omaha-based roofing contractors for exposing employees to fall hazards at a residential site.  Aspen Contractors faces $129,336 in proposed penalties, and Torres Roofing faces proposed penalties totaling $15,447.

LANSDOWNE, PA – Following a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division investigation, a U.S. District Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Lansdowne-based Central Laundry Inc. from transporting, shipping, or delivering goods across state lines that were produced by employees not paid legally required federal minimum wage and overtime rates. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for today. 

Central Laundry Inc. does business as Olympic Linen and Liberty Laundry.

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

“Our strong economy continues to grow, as 200,000 new jobs were added in January 2018.  Since Election Day 2016, American job creators have added 2,553,000 new jobs.  The unemployment rate remains at a 17-year low of 4.1%.  Job growth in construction was strong in January, with 36,000 new jobs created. 

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

In the week ending January 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 230,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 2,000 from 233,000 to 231,000. The 4-week moving average was 234,500, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 500 from 240,000 to 239,500.

ORLANDO, FL – A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation found Orlando-based resort Vistana Management Inc. routinely changed payroll records to avoid paying employees overtime, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), resulting in $372,183 in back wages owed to 275 employees. In addition to collecting back wages, the Division assessed $41,368 in penalties against Vistana for repeat violations to the FLSA.

PIKE ROAD, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited an Auburn-based framing contractor for exposing employees to fall and eye safety hazards. The company, Omar Garcia, faces proposed penalties of $113,073.

WICHITA, KS ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited aircraft manufacturer Spirit Aerosystems Inc. for exposing employees to hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen. The company faces proposed penalties totaling $194,006 for one willful and five serious violations.

ALBANY, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Onekey LLC, a construction management and development company, for exposing employees to crushing hazards after a concrete block retaining wall collapsed at a Poughkeepsie worksite. The company faces $281,583 in proposed penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement this evening regarding President Trump’s State of the Union address:

“President Trump’s pro-growth, pro-jobs policies are putting Americans back to work and more money in their pockets. Tonight, the President reminded the nation of the great strides America’s economy has made under his leadership, and he laid out an optimistic vision for continued strong economic growth.

THOMSON, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited auto parts manufacturer HP Pelzer Systems Automotive Inc. for safety violations after an employee suffered a finger amputation. The company faces proposed penalties totaling $129,336, the maximum amount allowed.

MANCHESTER, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached settlements with Bread and Roses Bakery Inc. of Ogunquit, Maine, after the Department found the company violated terms of the H-2B nonimmigrant visa program under the Immigration and Nationality Act and the minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the agreements, Bread and Roses will pay $73,115 in back wages and damages to employees, and $21,052 in penalties.

SAN DIEGO, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached an agreement with the owner of 10 Orange County residential care facilities to pay 72 employees a total of $173,539 for unpaid overtime.