July 1, 2013

Benefits.gov goes mobile

WASHINGTON – Benefits.gov has launched a mobile compatible version of its website, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today. Benefits.gov, the official benefits website of the U.S. government, has enhanced its site for visitors using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The changes make it easier for the public to access government benefit and assistance program information anytime, anywhere.

July 1, 2013

$1.5 million in funding available from US Department of Labor to strengthen labor inspections and courts in El Salvador and Honduras

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $1.5 million competitive solicitation to fund one or more projects to strengthen the information systems used to manage labor inspections and labor cases in El Salvador and Honduras.

July 1, 2013

U.S. Department of Labor announces $3 million grant solicitation to support African Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative in Ugandan

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) today announced a $3 million grant solicitation to help Ugandan youth develop marketable skills to secure decent work and to serve as civic leaders in their communities.

ILAB's African Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative is designed to support President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative. The president's program is focused on investing in the next generation of African leaders and strengthening partnerships between the United States and Africa.

July 1, 2013

US Department of Labor sues owners of Doctors Hospital of Shreveport, La., to recover more than $18,000 in employee retirement benefits

SHREVEPORT, La. – The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Doctors Hospital owners David and Chris LeBlanc in an effort to recover $18,904 in employee retirement contributions and employee-paid premiums for medical and disability insurance coverage. The department's lawsuit alleges that the LeBlancs violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 by using assets belonging to the employee retirement and insurance plans for the benefit of their business operations.

June 28, 2013

US Department of Labor announces $2 million to assist storm recovery in Illinois

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $2 million National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in 40 counties throughout Illinois between April 16 and May 5.

"Severe spring storms and flooding have inflicted significant damage on public infrastructure across Illinois," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "Today's grant will begin the important work of cleaning up the widespread damage caused by violent winds and flooding."

June 28, 2013

$2.5 million grant supplement awarded to continue flood recovery efforts in southeastern counties of Ohio

WASHINGTON – A $2.5 million National Emergency Grant supplement was announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor to create about 1,394 temporary jobs to help with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms and flooding that hit 21 counties of southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.

June 27, 2013

D.C. Circuit Court upholds determination involving MSHAs emergency lifeline standard

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today applauded a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which held that the failure to maintain emergency lifelines in a manner for miners to use effectively is a significant and substantial violation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, regardless of the likelihood of a mine emergency actually occurring at the time of the violation.

June 27, 2013

US Department of Labor provides additional assistance to former Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $502,569 National Emergency Grant increment to continue re-employment services for workers affected by the closure of the Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital in Rome, Ga. The facility, a state-run mental health hospital for developmentally disabled and mentally ill patients, closed in 2011.

June 27, 2013

More than 14,000 veterans to be helped by almost $29 million in grants awarded to 121 organizations by the US Department of Labor

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service today announced the award of 121 grants, totaling almost $29 million, to provide more than 14,000 veterans across the nation with job training, job placement, housing and other services. The grants were awarded through the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

June 27, 2013

US Department of Labor awards nearly $72 million in YouthBuild grants

68 programs across 33 states and the District of Columbia receive funding

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of nearly $72 million in YouthBuild grants to support academic and occupational skill training for at-risk youth.

June 27, 2013

US Department of Labor announces extension of comment period on lifetime income illustration proposal

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced an extension of the comment period on its advance notice of proposed rulemaking focusing on lifetime income illustrations given to participants in defined contribution pension plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans. The ANPRM serves as a request for comments on specific language and concepts in advance of a proposed regulation.

June 27, 2013

Harris v. Tripp Mechanical Services LLC involving failure to remit employee contributions to the company’s SIMPLE IRA plan in Falkland, NC

Date of Action: June 14, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Tripp Mechanical Services, LLC, Jarvis Edward Tripp, Jr., and Gina Tripp

June 26, 2013

US Department of Labor awards more than $26 million in grants to help juvenile offenders prepare to enter the workforce

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded more than $26 million in grants to help improve long-term labor market prospects for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The "Face Forward" grants were awarded to 28 community-based organizations to provide juvenile offenders with support services, training and skills development to help them obtain employment and overcome the stigma of a juvenile record.

June 26, 2013

MSHA announces results of May impact inspections

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 186 citations and nine orders during special impact inspections conducted at nine coal mines and five metal/nonmetal mines last month.

June 26, 2013

US Department of Labor announces $58 million in state grants to train dislocated workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $58 million in funding to 30 states for expanded training of dislocated workers so they can acquire industry-recognized credentials that lead to new career opportunities. The grants to states will support on-the-job training, customized training, registered apprenticeships and other approaches that connect individuals with employers, with a focus on providing these services to those in long spells of unemployment.

June 24, 2013

OSHA urges increased safety awareness in fireworks industry in advance of July 4 celebrations

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging the fireworks and pyrotechnics industry to be vigilant in protecting workers from hazards while manufacturing, storing, transporting, displaying and selling fireworks for public events.

June 24, 2013

Judge orders fiduciaries to restore $283,530 in retirement assets for workers at Heartland Foods in Indianapolis, resolving US Labor Department lawsuit

INDIANAPOLIS – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that the owners of Heartland Foods Inc. will restore $283,530 to the Heartland Foods Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan under terms of a consent judgment and order. The decision follows an investigation by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration that found co-owners Karen S.

June 24, 2013

US Labor Department obtains consent judgment ordering fiduciary of defunct Eynon, Pa., company to sign over $20,500 to employee profit sharing plan

Date of Action: June 3, 2013

Type of Action: Consent judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Charles Yaskulski, Eagle Warranty Corp., and Eagle Warranty Corp. profit sharing plan

June 20, 2013

US Department of Labor awards $1.4 million for disaster recovery in Florida following Tropical Storm Debby

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,461,142 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts throughout Florida following Tropical Storm Debby.

"These grant funds, in particular, will help the state of Florida and displaced oystermen complete the work of restoring the oyster beds of the Apalachicola Bay," acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris said. "This additional federal funding is an investment that will create employment opportunities for individuals and benefit their communities."

June 20, 2013

US Department of Labor announces grant to provide employment services after layoffs in Minnesota

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $594,268 grant to assist about 130 workers impacted by the closure of Edward Jones Mortgage LLC offices in Minneapolis and suburban St. Louis Park.