Labor & Employment

Tukwila Battery Manufacturer Fined $224k for Lead Exposure

Washington L&I fined Dyno Battery Inc. $224,320 for 16 violations after follow-up inspections found the company failed to fix lead exposure hazards first identified in July. Inspectors documented lead dust buildup in air cleaning devices that were blowing toxic dust onto workers, and found lead contamination on lunchroom tables. L&I issued a stop-work order on October 8 when violations remained unfixed, only lifting it in February after all hazards were corrected. The company is appealing the fine.

DC Unemployment Rate 6.7%, Jobs Decrease 17,100 in January 2026

The DC Department of Employment Services reported the January 2026 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at 6.7%, unchanged from December 2025. Total jobs decreased by 17,100 to 712,100, with the private sector losing 11,600 jobs and the public sector losing 5,500 jobs. The civilian labor force declined by 1,100 to 408,000.

Arkansas Minimum Wage Act Proposed Rule Revisions 2025

Arkansas DOL proposes amendments to Minimum Wage Act rules consistent with Acts 397, 737, and 743 of 2025. The proposed rules replace the existing 20-factor test for independent contractor classification with the federal standard under 11 CAR § 11-602(b)(4) and incorporate wage investigation reforms including assessment period procedures and remedies for violations.

Arkansas Wrestling Rules 17 CAR Subpart 9 - Combative Sports Licensing

The Arkansas State Athletic Commission proposes Subpart 9 of 17 CAR Part 225 to establish comprehensive rules for combative sports wrestling. The proposed rules create new licensing requirements for all participants (wrestlers, referees, announcers, managers, valets, trainers, seconds, and judges) at $25 per license, require annual physician physicals, and mandate State Athletic Commission approval for all props used in professional wrestling events.

OSHA Logging Operations Standard

OSHA has issued a final rule updating the Logging Operations Standard (29 CFR 1910.266), addressing safety requirements for chainsaws, machine guarding, personal protective equipment, and training in logging workplaces. The revised standard affects approximately 1,600 logging establishments with 54,000 workers.

MSPB Seeks OMB Renewal for Service Delivery Feedback Collection

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is seeking a three-year renewal without change from OMB for its Generic Clearance for Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery (OMB Control No. 3124-0015). The renewal is required under the Paperwork Reduction Act before the current approval expires on August 31, 2026. MSPB is soliciting public comments for 60 days.

DOL Recovers $122,476 for 140 Mississippi HVAC Workers

The US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division recovered $122,476 in back wages for 140 workers employed by AirSouth LLC, a Mendenhall-based cooling, heating, and electrical contractor. An investigation found the employer violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to include non-discretionary bonuses when calculating overtime wages and by not issuing final paychecks to two departing employees.

Career Expo Scheduled for April 15 in Box Elder

The South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation announces a free Career Expo on April 15, 2026, in Box Elder, hosted jointly with the city of Box Elder and Ellsworth Air Force Base Military & Family Readiness Center. The event runs from noon to 2 p.m. MDT at the Box Elder Community Center, 420 Villa Drive.

Going PRO Talent Fund $6M Grant Applications Open

Michigan LEO announced $6 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants for Fiscal Year 2026 Cycle 2. Applications are open until April 24, 2026, through local Michigan Works! agencies. The program has awarded over $323.4 million to 8,966 businesses and 241,600 workers since 2014.

Iowa Labor Force Grows to 67.9%, Unemployment Steady at 3.4%

Iowa Workforce Development released January 2026 employment data showing the state added 6,400 jobs and increased its Labor Force Participation Rate to 67.9%. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.4%. Total nonfarm employment reached 1,584,400 jobs, with gains led by professional and business services (+1,800), construction (+1,300), and manufacturing (+1,000).