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The Home Depot Named a Leader on Climate Action, Expands 2019 Renewable Energy Initiatives in Wind and Solar

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The Home Depot logo.

ATLANTA, Feb. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot® has been highlighted as a global leader on corporate climate action and continues to pursue its sustainability goals with new renewable energy initiatives in 2019.

The Home Depot logo.

CDP, an environmental impact non-profit, has named The Home Depot to its Climate Change “A” List for its actions to cut carbon emissions and mitigate climate risks.

Every year, thousands of companies disclose data about their environmental impacts to CDP for independent assessment and receive scores of A to D- for how effectively they are tackling climate change.

New to The Home Depot’s CDP report this year is its commitment to a Science Based Target for scope 1 and 2 emissions with reduction goals. The company is aiming for a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and a 50% reduction by 2035.

“Managing carbon emissions has been a focus for Home Depot for more than 10 years,” says Ron Jarvis, vice president of environmental innovation. “Our dual strategy to reduce our total energy use and create a cleaner energy portfolio has helped us to reduce our absolute carbon emissions by over 3 million metric tons since 2009.”

As a part of its overall renewable energy strategy, The Home Depot is working to procure 135 megawatts of energy from various alternative sources by the end of 2020. To make additional progress toward its goal, The Home Depot is announcing major investments in wind and solar for 2019.

Wind Power Expansion
The Home Depot is expanding its wind-powered renewable energy program by adding a third offsite wind project. The company will purchase enough wind energy from the Pretty Prairie Wind Project in Kansas to power about 40 stores for a year. The home improvement retailer currently partners with two operating wind farms in Texas and Mexico.

The Pretty Prairie Wind Project, owned and operated by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, is located in Reno County, Kansas. The larger wind farm is expected to create hundreds of construction jobs, up to 20 full-time operational jobs, and provide an estimated $77 million in local community benefits.

Through a 15-year power purchase agreement, The Home Depot will purchase 15 megawatts (MW) of the wind farm’s 220 MW capacity once it is operational in late 2019. The farm will feature 83 wind turbines that can produce enough power to provide more than 50,000 average U.S. homes with clean electricity each year.

Solar Power Expansion
In addition to the Kansas, Texas and Mexico wind farms, the company also procures energy from solar farms in Delaware, Massachusetts and Minnesota with a combined annual output of 25.0 million kilowatt hours (kWh). Forty-five U.S. Home Depot stores now have operational rooftop solar systems, and the company plans to expand its residential rooftop solar offerings.

To learn more about how The Home Depot is reducing its environmental impact visit https://corporate.homedepot.com/responsibility.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,286 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2017, The Home Depot had sales of $100.9 billion and earnings of $8.6 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

Gusto TV Comes to VEMOX with Global Cuisine, Edible Art and 30-Minute Recipes

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New_Olympus_Logo

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, Feb. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Olympusat’s leading-edge VEMOX streaming platform expands its roster of signature content with the launch of the food and lifestyle channel Gusto TV. This marks Gusto TV‘s official debut in the Latin American market, featuring hundreds of hours of original live and on demand HD programming.

Olympusat Inc. is among the largest independent media companies in the planet and has carved a powerful niche in Spanish network ownership as well as content production and distribution, including technical services such as film dubbing and restoration.

“This is definitely a good recipe,” said Olympusat’s Senior Vice President of Content Acquisition and Channels Aurora Bacquerie about adding Gusto TV to VEMOX’s growing list of channels. “We are confident Gusto TV will feed viewers with a constant buffet of top-notch content for many years to come,” she added. 

Gusto TV aims to stimulate both the appetite and imagination with a vast selection of food culture and lifestyle shows. The channel’s  Latin audience will soon have access to nine series and five specials, including Flour Power, Spencer’s BIG 30, The Urban Vegetarian, The Latin Kitchen, Crate to Plate, Fish the Dish, One World Kitchen, Road Grill and Spencer & Robert’s Game Day Buffet.

“Launching on VEMOX is a tremendous opportunity to bring Gusto TV to hungry viewers in Latin America and Hispanic audiences in the US,” said Corey Caplan, Senior Director of International Sales, Gusto Worldwide Media. “We’re looking forward to a lasting relationship with Olympusat and can’t wait for VEMOX viewers to get a taste of what Gusto TV has to offer.”

Gusto TV is owned and operated by Canada-based Gusto Worldwide Media, a leading producer of cooking and food-culture programming. The VEMOX streaming or ‘Over the Top’ (OTT) platform features more than 60 SD and HD channels, the majority of which are in Spanish and cater exclusively to a rapidly-surging subscriber base in the US and Latin America. VEMOX is a trademark of Olympusat Inc. and is available on Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Google Play, the Apple Store and on many Smart TV brands, including Samsung and LG. To learn more about VEMOX™, please visit vemox.com

About Gusto TV
Gusto TV is the world’s most innovative linear food and lifestyle television channel. From in-studio cooking series featuring creative recipes and dynamic hosts to fascinating documentary and reality series about food culture and sustainability, Gusto TV delivers a diverse mix of engaging and inspiring cooking and lifestyle programming that resonates globally. With hundreds of hours of visually stunning original content, Gusto TV’s internationally acclaimed series include One World Kitchen, The Latin Kitchen, and Crate to Plate.

About Gusto Worldwide Media
Gusto Worldwide Media is a vertically integrated media company that produces, distributes, and broadcasts high-quality food content. Based in Canada, Gusto operates from its state-of-the-art facility which includes a studio, test kitchen, post-production plant, master control, and playout services. Gusto’s proprietary content includes over 500 hours of original food and lifestyle programming with 100 new hours created annually. In 2013, Gusto Worldwide Media launched its linear TV channel and SVOD service Gusto TV in Canada. Gusto TV now operates bespoke channels in the US and Singapore, with more rollouts to come.

About Olympusat
Based in West Palm Beach, FL, Olympusat, Inc. is one of the largest independent media corporations specializing in ownership, distribution, production and technical services. The company has established itself as a leader in the Hispanic television and media space through its 60+ HD Spanish and English-language television networks, among them the top-rated Spanish-language movie channel Cine Mexicano, the popular  Ultra HD Plex, and a distinctive religious channels and Specialty Suite representing some of the biggest networks in the industry. Olympusat’s content is comprised of original productions, dubbed content from Europe and Asia and licensed in-language content from the U.S., Spain and Latin America. Olympusat provides Spanish dubbing services in its Mexico City facilities for the USA and Latin-American Hispanic market. Recently Olympusat has launched VEMOX, the white label OTT TV Everywhere B2B solution, available for download in Apple Store (iOS), Google Play Store (Android), Apple TV, Roku, Xbox One, LG Smart TV, and Samsung Smart TVs.

Olympusat – Editorial Contact:
Jesús Piñango
561-249-5228
[email protected] 

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/581523/New_Olympus_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Olympusat, Inc.

Hot Tips for a Cool Spring Break in San Antonio

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Visitors can enjoy Sand Week at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, as well as fun, family-friendly adventures throughout the city, this Spring Break.

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — San Antonio is bursting with rich history and modern attractions. From the spectacular River Walk to thrilling theme parks, the city has activities for families with children of all ages. Combine that with an electrifying food scene, budget-friendly hotels and festive seasonal events, and family vacationers have all they need for the ultimate Spring Break getaway.

Visitors can enjoy Sand Week at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, as well as fun, family-friendly adventures throughout the city, this Spring Break.

Here are a few tips for families planning a swinging Spring Break in San Antonio:

Tots Love Theme Parks
Theme parks aren’t just for adult thrill-seekers. SeaWorld San Antonio will celebrate Sesame Street’s® 50th anniversary with a Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend March 2–3. Guests can join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and friends for hands-on activities, photos and dancing. The park also will unveil Super Grover’s Box Car Derby, a family-friendly coaster, based on the beloved blue character.

From March 11 – 16, guests will be treated to the “Music, Mutts, Magic and More” celebration featuring musical performances, exhibitions by acrobatic dogs and feats of magic at ultra-accessible™ theme park Morgan’s Wonderland.

Cowboy Boots Encouraged But Not Required for Western Fun
The Briscoe Western Art Museum will host its first Spring Break Ranch Roundup on March 11 from 4-8 p.m. Children’s activities will include games of corn hole, creating their own brand and barrel racing in a secure area, while adults can enjoy grown-up libations and live music. 

Beginning March 2, visitors can take in an authentic Western rodeo every Saturday evening at Tejas Rodeo Company. The family-friendly show even has a calf scramble for the kids. Texas-style eats are available on site, and every rodeo is followed by a live country music concert.

Families will explore the role of children on the Texas frontier in the 1800s at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures with activities including log cabin chores, map making, corn grinding and frontier games such as marbles, sack races and washers.

Disguise Learning as Fun
For families hoping to sneak in under-the-radar science lessons during Spring Break, the San Antonio Zoo, The DoSeum and The Witte Museum deliver.

Just in time for Spring Break, one of the most endangered species in the world, Southern White Rhinos, will return to the San Antonio Zoo. These majestic creatures will live in an all-new expanded savanna habitat also home to zebras, crown cranes and waterbucks.

At The DoSeum, San Antonio’s museum for kids, new exhibit How People Make Things teaches children about manufacturing processes and how people and technology work together to create everyday objects.

For an out of this world adventure, The Witte Museum’s Planet Pioneers exhibition will show visitors how to explore, adapt and survive on a new planet. Guests can drive a 4-D surface exploration vehicle, land a rocket, experience G-forces in a spinning capsule and more.

Brush Up on Gaming Skills
The latest, state-of-the-art gaming experiences are taking San Antonio by storm, and even experienced gamers may want to brush up on their skills before taking on these immersive challenges.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas‘ new Pirates of the Deep Sea ride pits the cunning skills of guest buccaneers against marauding pirates. Guests compete with fellow shipmates firing at hundreds of themed targets to tally a score of their victory at sea. 

At the all-new Andretti Karting & Games, virtual reality stunner Hologate transports multiple players to another world to take on invading aliens, and XD Dark Ride offers a multi-sensory experience where riders battle on-screen enemies while experiencing movement, sound and intense action.

In Dragonfrost™ VR, Dave & Buster’s exclusive virtual reality experience, players embark on a rescue mission where they must restore sunlight and summer to a frozen kingdom overtaken by the evil Ice Prince.

The Beach Isn’t the Only Place to Find Sand
March 8 – 15 is Sand Week at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Master sand sculptor Ted Seibert will build an amazing sand sculpture, and sand pails and shovels will be available for guests eager to try the craft.

Make Art Interactive
Who says art museums are just for quiet reflection? The San Antonio Museum of Art and the McNay Art Museum are turning up the fun this spring with all-ages activities and entertainment including selfie-stations, yoga, gallery games, floral crown making, food trucks, performances and live music. Plus, the San Antonio Museum of Art will offer complimentary admission on March 12, and the McNay will host Free Family Days March 13–15 from 2–4 p.m. For event details, please visit samuseum.org and mcnay.org.

For more information on Spring Break in San Antonio, go to VisitSanAntonio.com.

Visit San Antonio logo

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/821248/VISIT_SAN_ANTONIO___Family_Adventure_Garden.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/790376/VISIT_SAN_ANTONIO_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Visit San Antonio

Jamaica Participates in Routes Americas

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Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston, Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Jamaica is participating in Routes Americas in Quebec, Canada between 12 and 14 February to promote the country as a tourism and business destination. Routes Americas is top leading summit in the Western Hemisphere for the development of new routes and airlift attended by airline and airport executives from across the region.

Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston, Jamaica

Jamaica’s objective at the event is to attract new flights and airlines to this leading Caribbean destination. The promotion of destination Jamaica is being supported by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), which operates Jamaica’s leading international gateway, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, and as incoming operator of Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

Meetings have been scheduled with 20 airlines based in Canada, the US, the EU and Latin America, including American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, British Airways, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Southwest, United Airlines and TUI, among several others.  

Routes Americas will get the industry geared up for the World Routes 2019 summit to be held in Adelaide, Australia in September, where GAP will intensify the promotion of Jamaica as an investment and tourism destination. The World Routes summit in Adelaide will have a global reach with the participation of airlines based in the EU, Africa, Asia and Australia, many of which do not typically participate in Routes Americas.

GAP is committed to promoting Jamaica as an extraordinary destination with countless natural wonders and an excellent tourism product, as well as for its attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment that promotes the sustainable economic and social development of the country.

About Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) is a leading airport operator based in Mexico. GAP holds concessions for the operation of 12 international airports in Mexico and two in Jamaica, providing service to more than 300 destinations via 35 airlines. The company’s shares are listed in Mexico and in New York.

GAP served 40.7m passengers in 2017, an 11.4% increase over 2016.

Airports operated by GAP are based in:

  • Guadalajara and Tijuana, serving the principal metropolitan areas;
  • Mexicali, Hermosillo, Los Mochis, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato and Morelia, serving these medium-size developing cities;
  • La Paz, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Montego Bay, leading tourism destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean;
  • On October 10th, 2018, GAP announced it had closed the public-private-partnership to operate, modernize and expand Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica.

Airports operated by GAP in Mexico are owned by the Mexican government and operated under a 50-year concession that commenced in 1998 as part of a national initiative to privatize and improve the quality of service and security at airports across the country. 

Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is owned by the Government of Jamaica and operated under a 30-year concession by MBJ Airports, a partnership between GAP and Vantage Airport Group. GAP was awarded a 25-year concession to operate Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston commencing in October 2019.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/821300/IMG_1034.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/821301/Grupo_Aeroportuario_del_Pacifico_color.jpg

 

SOURCE Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico

Hot Tips for a Cool Spring Break in San Antonio

0
Visitors can enjoy Sand Week at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, as well as fun, family-friendly adventures throughout the city, this Spring Break.

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — San Antonio is bursting with rich history and modern attractions. From the spectacular River Walk to thrilling theme parks, the city has activities for families with children of all ages. Combine that with an electrifying food scene, budget-friendly hotels and festive seasonal events, and family vacationers have all they need for the ultimate Spring Break getaway.

Visitors can enjoy Sand Week at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, as well as fun, family-friendly adventures throughout the city, this Spring Break.

Here are a few tips for families planning a swinging Spring Break in San Antonio:

Tots Love Theme Parks
Theme parks aren’t just for adult thrill-seekers. SeaWorld San Antonio will celebrate Sesame Street’s® 50th anniversary with a Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend March 2–3. Guests can join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and friends for hands-on activities, photos and dancing. The park also will unveil Super Grover’s Box Car Derby, a family-friendly coaster, based on the beloved blue character.

From March 11 – 16, guests will be treated to the “Music, Mutts, Magic and More” celebration featuring musical performances, exhibitions by acrobatic dogs and feats of magic at ultra-accessible™ theme park Morgan’s Wonderland.

Cowboy Boots Encouraged But Not Required for Western Fun
The Briscoe Western Art Museum will host its first Spring Break Ranch Roundup on March 11 from 4-8 p.m. Children’s activities will include games of corn hole, creating their own brand and barrel racing in a secure area, while adults can enjoy grown-up libations and live music. 

Beginning March 2, visitors can take in an authentic Western rodeo every Saturday evening at Tejas Rodeo Company. The family-friendly show even has a calf scramble for the kids. Texas-style eats are available on site, and every rodeo is followed by a live country music concert.

Families will explore the role of children on the Texas frontier in the 1800s at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures with activities including log cabin chores, map making, corn grinding and frontier games such as marbles, sack races and washers.

Disguise Learning as Fun
For families hoping to sneak in under-the-radar science lessons during Spring Break, the San Antonio Zoo, The DoSeum and The Witte Museum deliver.

Just in time for Spring Break, one of the most endangered species in the world, Southern White Rhinos, will return to the San Antonio Zoo. These majestic creatures will live in an all-new expanded savanna habitat also home to zebras, crown cranes and waterbucks.

At The DoSeum, San Antonio’s museum for kids, new exhibit How People Make Things teaches children about manufacturing processes and how people and technology work together to create everyday objects.

For an out of this world adventure, The Witte Museum’s Planet Pioneers exhibition will show visitors how to explore, adapt and survive on a new planet. Guests can drive a 4-D surface exploration vehicle, land a rocket, experience G-forces in a spinning capsule and more.

Brush Up on Gaming Skills
The latest, state-of-the-art gaming experiences are taking San Antonio by storm, and even experienced gamers may want to brush up on their skills before taking on these immersive challenges.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas‘ new Pirates of the Deep Sea ride pits the cunning skills of guest buccaneers against marauding pirates. Guests compete with fellow shipmates firing at hundreds of themed targets to tally a score of their victory at sea. 

At the all-new Andretti Karting & Games, virtual reality stunner Hologate transports multiple players to another world to take on invading aliens, and XD Dark Ride offers a multi-sensory experience where riders battle on-screen enemies while experiencing movement, sound and intense action.

In Dragonfrost™ VR, Dave & Buster’s exclusive virtual reality experience, players embark on a rescue mission where they must restore sunlight and summer to a frozen kingdom overtaken by the evil Ice Prince.

The Beach Isn’t the Only Place to Find Sand
March 8 – 15 is Sand Week at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Master sand sculptor Ted Seibert will build an amazing sand sculpture, and sand pails and shovels will be available for guests eager to try the craft.

Make Art Interactive
Who says art museums are just for quiet reflection? The San Antonio Museum of Art and the McNay Art Museum are turning up the fun this spring with all-ages activities and entertainment including selfie-stations, yoga, gallery games, floral crown making, food trucks, performances and live music. Plus, the San Antonio Museum of Art will offer complimentary admission on March 12, and the McNay will host Free Family Days March 13–15 from 2–4 p.m. For event details, please visit samuseum.org and mcnay.org.

For more information on Spring Break in San Antonio, go to VisitSanAntonio.com.

Visit San Antonio logo

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/821248/VISIT_SAN_ANTONIO___Family_Adventure_Garden.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/790376/VISIT_SAN_ANTONIO_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Visit San Antonio

Consumers tell Debt.com ‘Love Doesn’t Have to Cost a Thing’

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Debt.com is the consumer website where people from all walks of life can find help with credit card debt, student loan assistance, credit monitoring, tax debt, identity theft, credit repair, bankruptcy, debt collector harassment and more. Debt.com works with only vetted and certified providers that give the best advice and solutions for consumers 'when life happens.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Someone may ask you to be their Valentine on Feb. 14, but they probably won’t try to buy your love.

Debt.com is the consumer website where people from all walks of life can find help with credit card debt, student loan assistance, credit monitoring, tax debt, identity theft, credit repair, bankruptcy, debt collector harassment and more. Debt.com works with only vetted and certified providers that give the best advice and solutions for consumers 'when life happens.

That’s the conclusion of Debt.com’s second annual Valentine’s Day spending survey. Of the more than 3,000 adults polled, a mere 2 percent expect their significant other to spend more than $100, while nearly half (45 percent) expect them to spend nothing.

In the middle, 47 percent expect their significant others to spend $50. Compare that to the nearly $850 each American spent during last winter’s holiday season.

While winter holiday spending increases almost every year, the anemic Valentine’s Day spending is largely unchanged from last year.  So what explains the money malaise on this day of love?

“I can think of three reasons,” says Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com. “First, Americans are still suffering a debt hangover from the winter holidays. Second, Valentine’s Day only requires you to buy for the ones you love – not the ones you simply like or just work with. Third, many Americans don’t feel the love about a holiday that tells us when to express our love.”

Another interesting finding was that if you are not getting a Valentine’s Day gift at all, or not getting the gift you think you deserve, that could be a sign of bigger financial problems. Dvorkin points to this survey question: “If your partner is having financial trouble would you still expect them to spend money on Valentine’s Day?” Almost 9 in 10 respondents said no. Even the 8 percent who said yes they would still expect a gift, added that this would make them concerned about the relationship.

If you think women value Valentine’s Day more than men, think again. Of the 45 percent who didn’t want their significant others spending anything, the split was almost even between the two genders. One last fascinating stat: Women don’t typically spend more than $100 on their significant others, but men had a wider range when asked ‘how much have you ever spent?’  Fifty-five percent said they spent over $100, and of that, 11 percent spent over $500.

For other fun love-and-money facts, see the full survey here.

About: Debt.com is the consumer website where people can find help with credit card debt, student loan debt, tax debt, credit repair, bankruptcy, and more. Debt.com works with vetted and certified providers that give the best advice and solutions for consumers ‘when life happens’.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/408903/debtdotcom_logo.jpg  

SOURCE Debt.com

Labor Commissioner’s Office Cites RDV Construction $12 Million for Wage Theft Affecting More Than 1,000 Workers

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State of California Department of Industrial Relations (PRNewsfoto/Department of Industrial Relatio)

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Labor Commissioner’s Office has cited a Southern California subcontractor for nearly $12 million in wage theft violations that left more than a thousand workers waiting weeks or months to be paid, only to receive a portion of what they were owed.

State of California Department of Industrial Relations (PRNewsfoto/Department of Industrial Relatio)

RDV Construction, Inc. hired crews to provide framing, drywall and other trade work for hotels, apartments and mixed-use buildings around Los Angeles. Over a 21-month period, the City of Industry-based company paid employees with checks that did not clear due to insufficient funds. After the checks bounced, RDV Construction failed to pay all wages due to the workers.  

“Dodging labor laws and stealing wages hurts workers and creates unfair conditions for law-abiding employers,” said California Labor Secretary Julie A. Su. “After a hard day’s work, the last thing a construction worker should have to face is a paycheck that bounces. Stealing earned wages from workers’ pockets is illegal in California and this case shows that employers who steal from their workers will end up paying for it in the end.”

The Labor Commissioner’s Office launched its investigation in January 2017 and determined that between 2014 and 2017, RDV employed more than 1,000 workers at 35 construction sites in the region, and typically worked their crews nine hours a day without proper rest breaks or overtime. Investigators also found the employer habitually and illegally withheld 10 to 25 percent of earned wages from the workers.

The citations issued total $11,943,054 payable to workers in unpaid wages and premiums including:

  • $5,407,944 in waiting time penalties for failing to timely pay 1,089 employees
  • $1,623,020 for minimum wage violations affecting 844 employees
  • $1,692,430 in liquidated damages for those minimum wage violations
  • $1,769,782 for failing to provide proper rest breaks to 1,125 employees
  • $566,897 for failing to properly pay 1,111 workers overtime
  • $882,981 for improper wage statements issued to 1,109 employees

RDV Construction Chief Executive Officer Rafael Rivas as well as project managers Juan Rivas and Nicolas Del Villar are jointly and severally liable for the citations issued to the corporation.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office launched an investigation of RDV Construction, Inc. after workers complained about pay violations to Carpenters Contractors Cooperation Committee, a non-profit labor-management organization.

“The Carpenters Contractors Cooperation Committee has been an excellent partner in identifying cases that will not only benefit the directly affected workers but also send a strong message to the industry,” said Su.

When workers are paid less than minimum wage, they are entitled to liquidated damages that equal the amount of underpaid wages plus interest. Waiting time penalties are imposed when the employer intentionally fails to pay all wages due to the employee at the time of separation. This penalty is calculated by taking the employee’s daily rate of pay and multiplying it by the number of days the employee was not paid, up to a maximum of 30 days.

Most workers in California must receive a paid 10-minute rest period for every four hours worked. If workers do not receive rest breaks as required by Industrial Welfare Commission orders for their occupation, the employer must pay one hour of pay at the worker’s regular pay rate for each workday that the break is not provided, and civil penalties of $50 per worker per pay period for the initial violation, which increases to $100 each for subsequent violations.

Enforcement investigations typically include a payroll audit of the previous three years to determine minimum wage, overtime and other labor law violations, and calculate payments owed and penalties due. Civil penalties collected are transferred to the State’s General Fund as required by law.

The Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, or the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, combats wage theft and conducts on-site inspections to investigate and enforce compliance with minimum wage and other California labor laws. Its wide-ranging responsibilities include retaliation complaint investigations, public works enforcement, licensing and registration, as well as multilingual labor law education and outreach for workers and employers.

In 2014, the Labor Commissioner’s Office under Julie A. Su’s leadership launched the Wage Theft is a Crime multilingual public awareness campaign. The campaign defines wage theft and informs workers of their rights and the resources available to them to recover unpaid wages or report other labor law violations.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734).

Members of the press may contact Erika Monterroza or Frank Polizzi at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR’s press releases or other departmental updates.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR  
https://twitter.com/CA_DIR  
http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR
http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR’s Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/818968/DIR_Logo.jpg  

SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations; California Labor Commissioner’s Office

(Español) La CPSC lanza nueva aplicación de retiros del mercado

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1973 and charged with protecting the American public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or visit http://www.saferproducts.gov. Further recall information is available at http://www.cpsc.gov.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Food Safety Precautions During Power Outages

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US_Food_And_Drug_Administration_Food_Safety_Power_Outages

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — It’s winter of 2019 and parts of the country are already experiencing extreme weather conditions and power outages. In fact, a power outage can happen at any time, and it can affect the safety of your food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reminds you that the best way to ensure that food stays safe is to have a plan in place, and to know what food safety precautions to take if a power outage does occur.

Learn more and watch a video about food safety during a power outage at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Emergencies/ucm076881.htm 
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Emergencies/ucm076881.htm#video

Be Prepared 

Plan ahead to keep food safe if the power goes out.

  • Use a refrigerator and freezer thermometer, and check it regularly to ensure that the refrigerator temperature is at or below 40°F and the freezer is at or below 0°F.
  • Plan for ice. Know where you can get dry or block ice. Make ice cubes and freeze containers of water or gel packs to help keep food cold when there is a loss of power.
  • Keep coolers on hand to store refrigerated food if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
  • Freeze refrigerated items that you may not need immediately and group food together in the freezer.
  • Stock your pantry with a few days’ worth of ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or refrigeration.

If the Power Goes Out  

Cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful bacteria, so keeping food at safe temperatures is critical to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full) if the door remains closed.
  • Use ice (dry or block, ice cubes, and frozen containers of water/gel packs) to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible.

When Power is Restored

Before eating any food after a power outage, check the temperatures inside your refrigerator and freezer.

  • If the power was out for no more than 4 hours, refrigerated food should be safe as long as the doors were kept closed. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, or leftovers) that has been at temperatures above 40°F for 2 hours or more.
  • If the freezer thermometer reads 40°F or below, food is safe and may be refrozen. If you did not have a thermometer in the freezer, check each package to determine its safety; you can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40°F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
  • Be aware that perishable foods that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause foodborne illness if eaten, even after they are thoroughly cooked.

Contact: Media: 1-301-796-4540  Consumers: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (toll free)

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SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Honda the Winningest Brand in Inaugural ‘2019 Edmunds Editor’s Choice Awards’ with Accord and CR-V taking Top Honors

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Honda the Winningest Brand in Inaugural ‘2019 Edmunds Editor’s Choice Awards’ with Accord and CR-V taking Top Honors

TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The experts at Edmunds named the 2019 Honda Accord as “Best Sedan” and the CR-V as “Best SUV” in their inaugural “2019 Editors’ Choice Awards,” validating the quality and strength of Honda’s passenger car and light truck lineup. With wins in two of the most important categories, Honda is the winningest brand for the new Edmunds awards.

Honda the Winningest Brand in Inaugural ‘2019 Edmunds Editor’s Choice Awards’ with Accord and CR-V taking Top Honors

These two iconic nameplates from Honda’s broad vehicle portfolio were critical in making Honda the top retail-selling passenger car brand in 2018[1] and with posting its best-ever annual sales of light trucks last year. Of the Best Sedan winner, Alistair Weaver, Edmunds editor-in-chief, said, “The Honda Accord personifies the term ‘best in class’ and hits all the right marks – not just for a mid-size sedan. Spacious, easy-to-drive, tech-savvy and surprisingly upscale compared to its rivals, the Accord gives you a whole lot of car for your money and is our favorite sedan of the year.” Weaver noted for the Best SUV winner that, “The Honda CR-V dominates the fiercely competitive small SUV segment and earns our top spot among all SUVs for 2019. Practical, yet punchy; compact but spacious, the CR-V is simply the most well-rounded and thoughtfully designed SUV on the road today.”

The winners of the seven Edmunds Editors’ Choice Award are chosen from the hundreds of vehicles the editors review each year based on how they rank in more than 30 criteria across the five evaluation categories of Driving/Performance, Comfort, Interior, Utility and Technology.

About Honda 
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Insight, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2018, more than 90 percent of all Honda brand vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, with nearly two-thirds made in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

For More Information
Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com. To join the Honda community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/honda. Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of all 2019 Honda models is available at hondanews.com.

[1] Based on 2018 retail sales data from Urban Science. 

Honda Logo. (PRNewsFoto/American Honda Motor Co., Inc. )

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.