Stories by Labor Gazette on Federal Newswire

News Release: SHADY DALE, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Oldcastle Lawn & Garden Inc. after a workplace safety inspection found 36 violations that put employees at risk. The Shady Dale, Georgia, manufacturer of mulch and other products faces proposed penalties of $251,108.

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Pennsylvania Contractor For Continuing to Expose Employees to Fall Hazards

News Release: BENSALEM, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Strong Contractors Inc., based in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, for exposing employees to falls while working at Trinity Baptist Church. OSHA has proposed $110,971 in penalties.

CORRECTED: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DEBARS FLORIDA FARM LABOR CONTRACTOR FOR VIOLATING H-2A PROVISIONS, ASSESSES $15,153 PENALTY

News Release: RALEIGH, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has debarred the Lake Placid, Florida, company Vasquez Citrus & Hauling Inc. and Juan Vasquez, an H-2A farm labor contractor, from applying for H-2A certification for a period of three years for violations of the program’s provisions. WHD also issued the company a civil money penalty of $15,153.

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Federal Contractor To Pay $95,000 in Back Wages to 12 Employees for Service Contract Act Violation

News Release: ELIZABETH CITY, NC – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, Huntsville, Alabama, aviation maintenance company Y-Tech Services Inc. will pay $95,000 in back wages to 12 employees for failure to pay prevailing wage rates required for work performed under a federal contract for the U.S. Coast Guard in Elizabeth City.

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Discount Retailer Paying $273,254 to 125 Employees in 39 Arizona Stores to Resolve Violations

News Release: PHOENIX, AZ – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, California-based discount retailer 99 Cents Only Stores LLC will pay $273,254 to 125 employees in 39 of its Arizona stores for wage and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $125,348 for 14 Employees Of Connecticut Company Working on Federal Construction Contracts

News Release: HARTFORD, CT – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has resulted in the payment of $125,348 in back wages to 14 employees of Gilliam Co. LLC who performed hangar renovation work in Massachusetts, at the U.S. Coast Guard Base in Bourne and at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield.

Rule published on May 7 by Labor Department

The US Labor Department published a one page rule on May 7, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration Issues Field Assistance Bulletin

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2018-02, “Temporary Enforcement Policy on Prohibited Transaction Rules Applicable to Investment Advice Fiduciaries.” The FAB may be viewed here.

U.S. Department of Labor Reaches Agreement with Defunct Springfield, Ohio, Company to Restore Losses to Retirement Plan

News Release: SPRINGFIELD, OH – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Cincinnati office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) found that Demmy Sand & Gravel LLC and Amy Demmy ̶ fiduciary to the Demmy Sand & Gravel LLC Retirement Savings Plan ̶ violated the Employee Retirement Income ...

U.S. Department of Labor Fines Pennsylvania Manufacturer For Exposing Employees to Safety and Health Hazards

News Release: HATFIELD, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Prime Packaging Partners LLC, a dog treat manufacturer, for exposing employees to safety and health hazards at its Hatfield facility. OSHA proposed $180,685 in penalties.

U.S. Department of Labor Protects American Workers With H-2A, H-2B Tools in Four States

News Release: ATLANTA, GA – To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is undertaking an initiative in Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2A and H-2B temporary visa programs.

Labor Department publishes proposed rule on May 7

The US Labor Department published a one page proposed rule on May 7, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

Notice published by Labor Department on May 4

The US Labor Department published a two page notice on May 4, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta Hosts Japanese Labour Minister

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta welcomed Katsunobu Kato, Japan’s Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, to the U.S. Department of Labor today to discuss bilateral cooperation and sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) that promotes further collaboration between the United States and Japan on labor and employment issues. Secretary Acosta and Minister Kato also discussed Japan’s labor priorities in advance of Japan assuming the G20 presidency.

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta on the April Jobs Report

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the April 2018 Employment Situation report: “This is a great time to be a job seeker in America. Last month, the unemployment rate fell to 3.9%, the lowest level in nearly 18 years. The unemployment rate ...

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Framing Contractor For Exposing Employees to Dangerous Falls

News Release: JACKSONVILLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Desouza Framing Inc. for exposing employees to dangerous falls at two northwest Florida worksites. The Jacksonville-based residential framing contractor faces proposed penalties of $199,178.

Court Orders Massachusetts Restaurant to Pay $15,000 to Employee Fired in Connection With U.S. Department of Labor Investigation

News Release: BOSTON, MA – The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has entered a consent judgment requiring Kyoto Restaurant of Medford LLC and owner Phong Nguyen to pay a total of $15,000 in lost wages and punitive and liquidated damages to a former employee who, the U.S. Department of Labor charged, was terminated for cooperating with a Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation in 2016 and 2017.

U.S. Department of Labor to Offer Wage Seminar in Richmond

News Release: RICHMOND, VA – In keeping with its mission to protect the American workforce, the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a seminar on Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in Richmond on May 16. Hosted by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division, the event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. at the Federal Office Building on 400 N. 8th St. Admission is free.

What did Labor Department publish on May 4?