Guidance on Deferral of Payroll Taxes

On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum directing the Treasury Secretary to defer the collection of the employee portion of Social Security taxes (listed as “OASDI” on the paystub) but left many questions on the details on implementing this deferral unanswered.  The Memorandum directed the Department of Treasury to issue guidance that would allow employers to defer the withholding and payment of the employee portion of Social Security taxes.

Read more
Jason Resnick

Employers Must Take Steps to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Illness

In light of the National Weather Service’s most recent excessive heat watch alert, Cal/OSHA is reminding all employers to take steps to prevent heat illness during a period of high heat across the state. When the temperature is 95 degrees or more, certain employers must implement effective high-heat procedures like additional monitoring of workers for signs of heat illnesses, and those in agriculture are required to provide extra cool-down rest periods in addition to required breaks.

Read more
Jason Resnick

Santa Barbara County Joins Housing for the Harvest Program

Santa Barbara County has joined Housing for the Harvest, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s new program that provides temporary hotel housing for agricultural workers in need of a place to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19. Santa Barbara is the third county to participate in the program, which includes both Fresno and San Joaquin counties.

The Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health will partner with the local Family Service Agency to manage the program.

Read more
Chardae Heim

Trump Administration Releases Proposal to Address Foreign Imports’ Impact on U.S. Fruits & Vegetables

On Tuesday, September 1, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Commerce (Commerce) released a joint report outlining the Trump Administration’s plan to address foreign produce imports and their impact on American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables.

Read more
Tracey Chow

Pages

Join Western Growers

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. 

Join us today