DAWSON, Pa. – A Southwestern Pennsylvania farm and landscaping company has paid nearly $22,000 in back wages and penalties after the U.S. Department of Labor found the operator failed to recruit and hire U.S. workers before hiring workers under the H-2A visa program, in violation of section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today announced the withdrawal of the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2015 and 2016 informal guidance on joint employment and independent contractors.  Removal of the administrator interpretations does not change the legal responsibilities of employers under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, as reflected in the department’s long-standing regulations and case law.

SAN FRANCISCO – For the first time in its history, the U.S. Department of Labor has successfully obtained a preliminary injunction order under the H-2A visa program against entities accused of providing illegal and life-threatening living conditions to its employees. G Farms, its owner, and three other defendants are accused of providing the dangerous and substandard housing to agricultural workers in El Mirage, Arizona.

WASHINGTON – After a thorough review of the U.S. Department of Labor’s foreign worker visa programs, Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced actions to increase protections of American workers while more aggressively confronting entities committing visa program fraud and abuse.

WASHINGTON – To help bolster the economy of Washington state’s Puget Sound region, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta has approved $1,666,275 in funding for reemployment and training services for workers affected by layoffs at Boeing Co., facilities.

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Georgia Institute of Technology Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program

Holder Construction Co.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the May 2017 Employment Situation report:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today released the following statement on President Trump’s announcement on the Paris climate accord:

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and one of the nation's largest public hospitals have resolved litigation by reaching an agreement that requires the center to enhance its efforts to prevent violence in the workplace.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced today it has designated June 12-18, 2017, as “Safe + Sound Week,” a new nationwide effort that calls on organizations of all sizes in a wide range of  industries to raise awareness of the value and importance of workplace safety and health programs.

In the week ending May 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 248,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 234,000 to 235,000. The 4-week moving average was 238,000, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 235,250 to 235,500.

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Construction Safety Leadership Alliance

MILTON, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a dozen citations and proposed $226,431 in fines following its investigation into the Nov. 29, 2016, death of a 26-year-old machine operator at a Pensacola-area electrical cable manufacturer.

ANDOVER, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Administrative Law Judges approved a consent finding and order to resolve a complaint filed against a New Jersey-based mail delivery contractor and others for failing to pay legally required wages and benefits to employees. Under the order, the company agreed to pay $245,000 in back wages. The department is now distributing the wages to the affected workers.

BALTIMORE – A North Carolina company that rounds up live chickens for poultry processors has paid nearly $600,000 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 838 workers as part of a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today announced that Wayne Palmer will serve as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary. An executive with expertise in management, policy and communications, Palmer has extensive experience in Congress, in the executive branch, and in the private sector.

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(Oklahoma City area office) Mid Continent Exploration and Production Safety Network

Date of Action: May 8, 2017

Type of Action: U.S. District Court decision

Name of Defendants: Foreclosure Connection, Inc.
Jason Williams, owner

CHICAGO – A partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has recovered almost $1.5 million for participants in two terminated Chicago-based pension plans.

In the week ending May 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 234,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 232,000 to 233,000. The 4-week moving average was 235,250, a decrease of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 14, 1973 when it was 232,750. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 240,750 to 241,000.