Latest U.S. Department of Labor News

Judge blocks Biden administration's rule to expand overtime pay for millions

Nov. 15, 2024 18:16 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in Texas has blocked a new rule from the Biden administration that would have expanded access to overtime pay to millions more salaried workers across the U.S. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan sided with the state of Texas and a group of...

Smithfield agrees to pay $2 million to resolve child labor allegations at Minnesota meat plant

Nov. 14, 2024 14:42 PM EST

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Smithfield Foods, one of the nation’s largest meat processors, has agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations of child labor violations at a plant in Minnesota, officials announced Thursday. An investigation by the Minnesota Department of Labor and...

The number of Americans filing for jobless claims falls to lowest level in 6 months

Nov. 14, 2024 12:12 PM EST

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level in six months last week as layoffs remain at relatively healthy levels. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications fell by 4,000 to 217,000 for the week of Nov. 9. That’s...

Former North Carolina labor commissioner becomes hospital group's CEO

Nov. 12, 2024 12:38 PM EST

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's labor commissioner for nearly the past four years is the next president and CEO of the chief advocacy group for the state's hospitals. The North Carolina Healthcare Association announced on Tuesday that it hired Josh Dobson after a nationwide...

Hong Kong reporter says she'll sue Wall Street Journal for dismissal because of her union role

Nov. 12, 2024 04:15 AM EST

HONG KONG (AP) — A former Hong Kong reporter of The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday said she'll sue the publication for sacking her because she joined a trade union. Selina Cheng lost her job in July after a senior editor told her that her position was eliminated due to...

This week: consumer prices, unemployment benefits, Walt Disney earnings

Nov. 11, 2024 03:13 AM EST

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week. INFLATION WATCH The Labor Department issues its October report on consumer prices on Wednesday. In September, inflation in the United States fell to its lowest point...

North Carolina governor picks labor chief to serve until next commissioner is sworn in

Nov. 08, 2024 16:08 PM EST

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A longtime North Carolina Labor Department administrator has been elevated to lead the state agency for the next two months as Gov. Roy Cooper named him on Friday to succeed Commissioner Josh Dobson, who resigned this week. Kevin O’Barr, a 24-year department...

Slightly more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain at low levels

Nov. 07, 2024 13:10 PM EST

The number of Americans applying for jobless aid ticked up last week but layoffs remain at historically low levels. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications rose by 3,000 to 221,000 for the week of Nov. 2. That’s fewer than the 227,000 analysts...

US employers added just 12,000 jobs last month as hurricanes and strikes sharply reduce payrolls

Nov. 01, 2024 14:52 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers added just 12,000 jobs in October, a total that economists say was held down by the effects of strikes and hurricanes that left many workers temporarily off payrolls. The report provided a somewhat blurry view of the job market at the end of a presidential...

US applications for jobless benefits fall as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels

Oct. 31, 2024 08:56 AM EDT

Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs remained at historically healthy levels despite elevated interest rates. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications fell by 12,000 to 216,000 for the week of Oct. 26. That's fewer than...