Thursday, April 27, 2006

Minimum Wage Increases in Maine

Gov. John E. Baldacci signed LD 235, which would Maine's minimum wage to $6.75 an hour in October 2006, and $7 an hour in October 2007.

The current minimum wage in Maine is $6.50, $1.35 higher than the federal minimum wage. Maine is among the 17 states having minimum wages above the federal standard of $5.15 an hour.

The last time of minimum wage increase in Maine was two years ago.

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.

African-American Workers Sue Employer for $175M

Nine current and former employees of Super Steel Inc. of Glenville filed a class action suit in a U.S. federal district court in Albany yesterday, seeking $175 million for racial harassment and discrimination.

An African-American worker who named Criss Murphy alleged that on Jan. 3 he opened his locker to discover a stuffed gorilla, a noose around its neck, and a threatening racist message. He never returned to work at the Glenville plant since then.

The lawsuit seeks $25 million in compensatory damages and $150 million in punitive damages.

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.

OSHA Notified 14,000 Workplaces for High Injury and Illness Rates

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that they have sent letters to nearly 14,000 employers, notifying the employers that injury and illness rates at their worksites are higher than average.

OSHA is willing to help the employers fix safety and health hazards. The notification was a proactive step to encourage employers to take steps now to reduce injury and illness rates improve the safety and health environment in their workplaces.

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, April 06, 2006

DOL Announces $1 Million Grant to Aid Dislocated Auto Industry Workers in Oklahoma

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced a $1 million grant to assist workers who were affected by plant closings at General Motors (GM) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The secretary said that this $1 million grant will provide career counseling, skills training, job search and other assistance to connect these workers with new opportunities for successful careers."

The layoffs began at Feb. 17, while the plant closed in the Oklahoma City location.

The projects funded by the grant announced today will be operated in five local areas, including Big Five Community Services Inc., Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board, East Central Workforce Investment Board, Norman Economic Development Coalition, and South Central Workforce Investment Board.

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.