Labor
H-2A use soars amid wage challenges
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) certified nearly a quarter of a million H-2A positions in 2018. This is 108 percent more than the number of positions certified in fiscal year 2014, just five years... more »
Fruit Growers News webinar focuses on ag labor issues
The ability for specialty crop operations to secure a stable and reliable workforce to plant, harvest, pack and ship their products has been curtailed for a number of years. As the industry adjusts to global... more »
Court expands joint employer liability theory for ag employers
A federal appeals court has made a sweeping change for agricultural employers that will make it easier for workers to bring discrimination claims against them under a joint employment theory. In last week’s EEOC v. Global... more »
California labor commissioner issues ag overtime guidelines
The California Labor Commissioner’s Office has posted guidance for agricultural employers and workers on an overtime pay schedule that went into effect Jan. 1. The law’s overtime pay requirements will be phased in according to... more »
Ag employers group sees ‘blue card’ bill as good first step
Three Democratic lawmakers from California have presented new immigration legislation that would create an opportunity for undocumented agricultural workers to apply for legal status. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren introduced... more »
Bill proposes path to citizenship for farm laborers
On Jan. 17, U.S. Congressman Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, introduced legislation to shield farmworkers from deportation and put them on a path toward earned legal status... more »
H-2A guest worker program AFBF topic
U.S. farmers and ranchers discussed the current state of regulations governing the farm labor market and efforts to navigate it, at a workshop during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 100th Annual Convention. The H-2A... more »
Fight over hike in H-2A wage rates plays out in court
On Jan. 8, the U.S . Department of Justice (DOJ) moved to stay the action brought by the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) against the Department of Labor in the District Court for the... more »
