Posts By: Matthew Allen

WG Denounces Passage of UFW Card Check Bill in California Legislature

The California State Legislature has passed AB 616—first in the Senate on August 26 and then in the Assembly yesterday with a final vote of 52 Ayes, 19 Noes and 8 Abstentions. The bill now heads to the desk of California Governor Gavin Newsom. AB 616 is the latest incarnation of card check legislation, which ...

Updates on Special Permit on Increased Weight Limits for Transportation of Ag Products

The California Department of Transportation has announced two changes of relevance for Western Growers members in regards to the special permit on increased weight limits for the transportation of agricultural products. The special permit, which increases the maximum overweight total up to 88,000 pounds for transportation of certain agricultural products, will now include ALL “perishable…

CA Bill That Changes Law for H-2A Workers Stalls in Senate

AB 857, a California bill that would change the law by expanding the definition of “voluntary” and “mandated” travel time, has stalled in the Senate for this year. It is now a two-year bill. AB 857 attempts to: add new situations whereby travel time would be required to be paid to H-2A employees require employers ...

The Far-Reaching Consequences of Drought

By Matthew Allen, Vice President, State Government Affairs There is simply no industry that brings a value like agriculture to the daily lives of human beings. Farmworkers and growers work together to plant, harvest and distribute an unbelievable variety of sustenance for our state, nation and world. We go to the grocery store, shop online ...

AB 616 UFW Card Check Bill Heads to Governor Newsom

AB 616 (Mark Stone, Scotts Valley) – a UFW bill that would erode farmworkers’ choice in whether or not to join a union and threaten employers’ due process rights – has passed the Assembly and Senate and now heads to the desk of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The initial vote count to move the bill ...