Labor News
Labor
For the second time in two years, a work-related death has occurred at a poultry processing plant in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reported that a 16-year-old sanitation worker died after being pulled into a machine.
Labor
Philadelphia home healthcare agency ordered to pay $1.6 million in overtime pay
A Philadelphia home healthcare agency has been ordered by a federal court to pay approximately $1.6 million in overtime compensation, following a consent judgment. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) supported the measure after discovering that 288 employees of the company were deliberately denied overtime pay.
Labor
DOL Acting Secretary: 'Independent contractors who are in business for themselves play an essential role in our economy'
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has declared that more than 208,000 gig workers are due at least $163 million in back pay. The announcement was made by Acting Secretary Julie Su via social media, where she also revealed the establishment of a website to help workers determine if they are owed back pay.
Labor
Florida roofing company cited by OSHA for repeated violations of fall protection rules
A Florida-based roofing contractor, All Phase Roofing, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for three repeat violations concerning a lack of fall protection measures for their employees. The charges were revealed following an OSHA investigation, which resulted in fines totaling $159,117.
Labor
DOL says Illinois roofing contractor falled to protect workers from fall hazards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), has accused Illinois-based roofing contractor, Miller Building Systems LLC, of breaching workplace safety regulations. The company, owned by Elmer Miller, has previously been fined over 20 times by the department. This time, the DOL alleges that the company exposed its employees to potential falls while they were engaged in a residential construction project in Savoy, Illinois.
Labor
News industry continues its downward spiral, job cuts report shows
The news media industry experienced significant job cuts in 2023, marking it as the worst year for the sector since the onset of COVID-19, according to a report by Poynter. The report suggests that the industry's downward spiral may not be nearing its end.
Labor
Ohio industrial rubber hose manufacturer fined $389,534 by DOL for violating safety protocol
HBD Industries, an Ohio-based industrial rubber hose manufacturer, is once again facing scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The company's subsidiary, HBD/Thermoid Inc., which operates in Bellefontaine, has been cited by the DOL seven times since 2013.
Labor
Wisconsin sawmill fined $1.4 million by DOL for failing to properly train employees on maintenance operations
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has imposed a $1.4 million fine on a Wisconsin sawmill, Florence Hardwoods LLC, for violating federal law by permitting minors to operate hazardous machinery. The department also found that the employees involved were not given sufficient training to adhere to safety guidelines for machine maintenance.
Labor
DOL seeks punitive damages against Vermont excavation company who used social media to attack ex-employee
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has filed a lawsuit against a Vermont excavation company, Bevins & Son Inc., alleging that the company used social media to retaliate against workers who had been awarded lost wages earlier this year. This development follows a settlement that the department negotiated with the company earlier this year.
Labor
DOL issues penalties against Houston-based companies for exposing workers to safety risks during roof collapse
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has imposed fines totalling $315,000 on two Houston-based contractors for exposing employees to safety hazards during the demolition of Friendswood High School in June. An investigation found that the companies did not comply with federal requirements for an engineering survey to be conducted before work commenced.
Labor
Illinois grain company facing $115,855 OSHA fine for not protecting employees from severe injury
A grain company based in Westfield, Illinois is facing a $115,855 fine from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) following two incidents where employees were caught in a grain bin. The first incident occurred in February when a worker was trapped for five hours, and a second incident occurred in July when the company reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that an employee had suffered a partial leg amputation after sustaining leg injuries.
Labor
OSHA acts to enhance workplace safety in landscaping industry after rise in fatalities
Workers in the landscaping and horticultural industries across four western states and three Pacific territories are now required to comply with a labor program designed to enhance workplace safety.
Labor
Minnesota-based construction company faces $1.8 million in penalties for violating OSHA agreement
Minnesota-based construction contractor, Wagner Construction Inc., is once again under scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for repeated violations related to trenching and excavation hazards. Despite agreeing in 2021 to enhance safety measures for its employees, the company was found to have exposed workers to similar risks in June while replacing a residential water main and 20 separate curb stop valves for house connections in Minot, North Dakota.
Labor
Weekend Interview: John O'Brien, editor, Legal Newsline
John O’Brien is a veteran journalist and editor of Legal Newsline. The American Legal Record Podcast interviewed O’Brien last week regarding his recent article, “Company being crushed under weight of feds' child labor probe, despite no charges.”
Labor
South Bay, Florida-based fined for violating employee safety protocol
A private state prison for men, located in South Bay, Florida was discovered to be in violation of recognized safety practices which left its employees vulnerable to attacks from prisoners. This disregard for standard protocol was uncovered during a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Labor
Michigan-based home care services company owner facing imprisonment for failing to comply with federal court order
The owner of a Michigan senior home care services company is looking at jail time for failing to provide U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) investigators with time and pay records. The owner, Rosie Guthrie, has been held in contempt of court since September 27 for refusing to comply with a federal court order.
Labor
DOL finds Spartanburg home healthcare provider did not pay overtime wages
A Spartanburg home healthcare provider will have to pay $139,975 in back wages after the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) found that they failed to pay employees’ overtime. The company involved is Apella Health Management, which operates as the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.
Labor
DOL finds Air Liquide Advanced Materials.exposed employees to explosion hazards
The Department of Labor (DOL) released their findings that Air Liquide Advanced Materials failed to adhere to safety protocols which would have prevented explosion that caused multiple employee injuries.
Labor
Michigan-based Forge Industrial Staffing challenges Department of Labor, citing business threats
In a legal showdown with the Department of Labor, Michigan-based Forge Industrial Staffing, Inc. is fighting back against what it says is an over-reaching investigation that could devastate its business.
Labor
U.S. Secretary of Education announces 2023 Terrel H. Bell award recipients
According to a press release dated Oct. 18, 2023, the nine honorees, all leaders of schools in the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools cohort, will be officially recognized at an awards ceremony scheduled for next month.
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