U.S. Department of Labor:latest news

U.S. Department of Labor February 7, 2020 225,000 New Jobs The U.S. economy added 225,000 new jobs in January, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics today, bringing the total to 6.6 million new jobs since January 2017. Skills to Succeed in Virginia In Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia visited a Virginia Career Works job center with U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott and toured a STIHL Inc. manufacturing facility to see first-hand how workers are learning skills for careers in America's resurging manufacturing sector. He also participated in a roundtable discussion with local business leaders on workforce development and the benefits of recent trade deals, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. “Stronger Than Ever Before” Secretary Scalia joined President Donald J. Trump at the State of the Union on Tuesday night, where the President highlighted America's historically strong job market including millions of new jobs, and recent record low unemployment rates for African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Americans with a disability, and Americans without a high school diploma. Strong Wage Growth Continues Average hourly earnings increased by 3.1% year-over-year in January, which was the 18th straight month wages grew at or above 3%. Wages for production and non-supervisory workers grew even faster, at 3.3% year-over-year. Workforce Development in Texas In Ft. Worth, Texas, Secretary Scalia participated in a roundtable discussion with local business leaders at the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and gave the keynote address at the Independent Electrical Contractors' Business Summit. He underscored Administration efforts to ensure American workers have the opportunity to learn in-demand skills to secure good jobs. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT VOICE Initiative A new Office of Disability Employment Policy initiative in 12 states and D.C. aims to increase employment of people with mental health disabilities. Recovered Paychecks An Arizona-based national educational enterprise has paid $411,478 in back wages to 485 workers after missing final paychecks. Healthcare Fraud A California acupuncturist has been sentenced to prison and must pay $2,683,903 in restitution after defrauding Amtrak's healthcare plan. Fraud Sentence A former New Jersey insurance broker was sentenced to prison and must pay $1 million in restitution for healthcare fraud following a Department investigation. Fall Protection The former owner of a Florida-based framing company was sentenced to 30 days in prison for willfully violating federal fall protection standards. Whistleblower Wages A federal court has ordered Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company to pay $696,173 to a whistleblower for retaliating against the employee. STAT OF THE WEEK Low State Unemployment A record 39 states have unemployment rates below 4% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Resort and Hotel Employment The Wage and Hour Division's resort and hotel employment toolkit answers common questions about wage and hour laws in the hospitality industry.