Ag Labor Legislative Update

The California Legislature is currently in peak season as the Assembly and Senate rush to complete consideration of bills that were introduced in their respective houses. As a general rule, bills have to move out of their house of origin by June 4th in order for them to survive and continue through the legislative process. WG is actively lobbying many of these bills that affect the environment, labor, and water. Two bills that we are heavily opposing are AB 616 and AB 857.

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Matthew Allen

U.S Department of Labor Issues New H-2A Streamlining Rules

On Jan. 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that would modernize the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Labor Program. This combined agency effort between DOL, the State Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been a long time coming and comes on the eve of a presidential transition. However, as this final rule comes at the transition of administrations, chances of implementation as written are extremely slim.

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Jason Resnick

U.S. DOL Updates H-2A Wage Methodology

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) yesterday announced a final rule updating the methodology for determining the annual Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) in the H-2A agricultural visa program. The new rule aims to improve the consistency of the AEWR and establish better stability and predictability for employers in complying with their wage obligations.

Among the key provisions of the final rule:

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Cory Lunde

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H-2A

Western Growers has been the leading agricultural organization in advocating for a comprehensive immigration reform solution that includes legalizing the status of currently falsely-documented farmworkers and a new guest worker visa program to ensure future flows of labor. With many members increasingly turning to the H-2A program to meet their labor needs, Western Growers has elevated H-2A reform as a top public policy priority.

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Western Growers members care deeply for the food they grow, the land they sustain, the people they employ, and the community in which they live. 

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H-2A Archive