Labor Department News Releases Update

Although a Bellingham restaurant and a spa have closed, 101 workers once employed by the businesses will receive more than $1.3 million in back wages and damages, thanks to a Washington State jury. The decision is the result of a U.S. Department of Labor investigation that revealed numerous violations of federal labor law.

Building a better workforce system starts with having reliable data. With the passage of last year's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to encourage greater coordination between workforce and education programs, states have made important strides to integrate their programs. To further the progress, the U.S. Department of Labor announces today that it is making approximately $10 million in grants available to help expand understanding in more states about how education and workforce development programs complement each other in the fifth round of the Workforce Data Quality Initiative.