Thursday, September 29, 2005

OSHA Fines BP Products More Than $21 Million

OSHA Fines BP Products More Than $21 Million The fatal explosion at BP Products' Texas plant claimed the lives of 15 workers and injured more than 170 others in March 23. After the investigation, BP Products North America Inc. has agreed to pay more than $21 million in penalties for safety and health violations, announced by U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The agreement settles cases issued against BP Products following the fatal explosion at the Texas City refinery, and it also addresses other ongoing investigations at the Texas City Refinery and requires BP Products to address process safety management (PSM) plant-wide.

BP Products North America Inc. is part of BP of London, England, which engages in petroleum exploration and refining. The company will pay the full fine, abate all the hazards, and significantly improve their safety measures.

You can find more information of labor law in http://www.postersolution.com/, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.

EEOC sued Construction Firm for Workplace Harassment

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued a Phoenix-based construction company for some workers claimed that they were sexually harassed by a male supervisor and co-worker.

Employees claimed that a company foreman and another worker in Tucson grabbed their genitals and simulated sexual acts with them. They were denied promotions and harassed further until some felt compelled to quit.

Investigators of EEOC are trying to get a negotiated settlement before the complaint for discrimination and retaliation files in the U.S. District Court in Tucson.

You can find more information of labor law in http://www.postersolution.com/, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Oregon's minimum wage to increase 25 cents on Jan. 1

Oregon's minimum wage will increase to $7.50 per hour next year. Dan Gardner, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries announced this minimum wage's 25 cents per-hour raise Friday.

Oregon's minimum wage is the second highest in the nation except Washington state.

The increase was based on a 3.6 percent jump in the consumer price index.

In 2002, Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 25 that requires the minimum wage increased in line with inflation.

You can find more information of labor law in www.postersolution.com, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.

Wal-Mart face new lawsuit over lunch breaks

The world's largest discount retailer Wal-Mart faced new lawsuit that some Wal-Mart workers claimed they are denied of lunch breaks and forced to work overtime without compensation.

Lawyers on behalf of 115,919 current and former Wal-Mart employees told an Oakland jury yesterday the company should pay 66 multi million dollars plus interest and penalties.

Just a week ago, Wal-Mart was sued by a workers' rights advocacy group for its ignoring the abuse of workers in foreign factories for the desire to find cheap supplies.

You can find more information of labor law in www.postersolution.com, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

U.S. Labor Department Announces $30.8 Million to Help 4 Southern States

U.S. Labor Department announced grants totaling $30.8 million to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to expand their capacity to process claims and expedite unemployment insurance payments for those left unemployed as a result of Hurricane Katrina. This would help the states quickly distribute Unemployment Insurance following the disaster.

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said that the nearly $31 million in grants would help Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas expedite unemployment insurance payments through mobile field units, hiring temporary staff, increasing Internet and telephone claims processing and rebuilding damaged facilities.
Alabama gets $1.5 million grant, Mississippi $15.7 million, Louisiana $11 million, and Texas $2.6 million.


You can find more information of labor law in www.postersolution.com, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.

Thursday, September 08, 2005

New Agency Replaces Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission

With the reform of the state’s workers’ compensation system, The Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers’ Compensation replaces the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission Thursday.

This reform can better improve care for workers and reduce costs for employers. The revised law will also create new physician networks and provide a small boost in benefits paid to injured workers.

You can find more information of labor law in www.postersolution.com, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.

Overtime Payment Plan Approved

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, Texas apprved a three-year plan to pay off more than $2 million to its employees.

The entire amount will be payed off by Jan.1, 2006. Employees now must take 80 hours of accrued compensatory time before utilizing their vacation time, and some employees will no longer receive some exceptions from current policy.

By law, many public sector employees must take vacation time to make up for the time-and-a-half extra pay instead of overtime payment . County employees may add up to 240 or 480 hours of this compensatory time.

You can find more information of labor law in www.postersolution.com, and community.poster4business.com will provide you the state, federal & OSHA labor law compliance information and services.