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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Labor”
By Frank Giles On June 28, a new rule from U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regarding the H-2A program will come into force. The agency noted the 600-page rule is intended to strengthen protections for temporary agricultural workers. In announcing the final rule in late April, DOL Acting Secretary Julie Su said: “H-2A workers too frequently face abusive working conditions …
By Clint Thompson The National Labor Relations Act excludes farm workers from federal protections, which forbids an employer from firing a worker for joining, organizing or supporting a labor union. It is a piece of legislation upheld by the Supreme Court in 2021, citing the 5th and 14th Amendments. So why is the Department of Labor implementing a final rule …
This is the first in a two-part series about DOL’s Final Rule By Clint Thompson To say that Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, is upset by a new H-2A rule implemented by the Department of Labor (DOL) would be an understatement. The agriculture leader is infuriated by the recent announcement and …
WASHINGTON – The Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Friday a final rule to strengthen protections for farmworkers. The rule targets vulnerability and abuses experienced by workers under the H-2A program that undermine fair labor standards for all farmworkers. “H-2A workers too frequently face abusive working conditions that undercut all farmworkers in the U.S.,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “This …
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) encourages specialty crop producers to respond promptly and accurately to labor surveys inquiring about H-2A and the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). Chris Butts, GFVGA executive director, said farmers should expect the surveys to arrive via mail at any time. Growers’ response will help leaders with the U.S. Department …
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has launched an inquiry into how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts its Farm Labor Survey in Georgia. Ossoff inquired with the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), asking for more transparency in the Farm Labor Survey, which the Department of Labor uses to determine wages for H-2A workers in Georgia and …
By Clint Thompson Georgia fruit and vegetable growers should be aware that their industries have been deemed higher heat-related risks and fall under the National Emphasis Program, led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). They are subject to more inspections and broader enforcement as a result. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers …
Sen. Rick Scott joined Sen. Mike Crapo and 14 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging it include a freeze to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) in the earliest possible legislative vehicle. Joining Senators Scott and Crapo were Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Roger …
Funding for specialty crop mechanization and automation research needs to be included in the farm bill. Representatives from multiple states issued a bipartisan letter in February urging the House Agriculture Committee to include federal financial support for mechanization and automation research in the next farm bill. Specialty crop producers have long struggled with labor challenges, relying heavily on the H-2A …
Count U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) as one legislator trying to use his political influence to reverse recent action on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate. Along with nine other senators, Tuberville sent a letter (dated Feb. 6) to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, requesting action to freeze H-2A wage rates at the January 2023 levels and …
