New Minimum Wage and FLC Regulations Go Into Effect Today

It’s July 1, and as a result, Western Growers wants to remind members of two important changes that went into effect today.

There is  a new minimum wage in the state of California.  As of today, the minimum wage is now $9.00/hr. The increase is a result of legislation (AB 10) that was passed and signed by Governor Jerry Brown.  The minimum wage will again increase to $10/hr. on January 1, 2016.  A recent attempt to increase the minimum wage to $13/hr. was recently rejected by the Senate Labor Committee in the California State Assembly.

Additionally, as was previously covered in a Spotlight story, new farm labor contractor regulations put in place by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement also went into effect today.  The new provisions for FLC applications include the following:

• A requirement that the FLC identify past clients as well as “those growers the FLC plans to contract with in the near future.”
• A list of relatives who have previously applied for or held an FLC license, or who has had a license denied or revoked.
• The new and renewal license fee is $500, plus a filing fee of $10, and an examination fee of $100.
• Renewal license applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the expiration of the current license.
• A requirement that an FLC must erect a sign, subject to stringent format and placement requirements, at the worksite identifying the FLC, license number, and phone number of the field supervisor.
• At least 15 minutes of safety training is to be provided quarterly to all crew leaders and forepersons on worker safety issues, including heat illness prevention and pesticide use and exposure.