Latest News From Labor

Farmworker Florentino Reyes picks tomatoes Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at a field near Mendota, Calif.
Pandemic can’t slow the growth of the H-2A program, USDA report says

Even the COVID-19 pandemic did not stop the growth of the Department of Labor’s H-2A guest agricultural worker program.

NCAE to host 'Turning Down the Heat: Preparing Employers for proposed OSHA heat regulation' online seminar
NCAE to host 'Turning Down the Heat: Preparing Employers for proposed OSHA heat regulation' online seminar

The National Council of Agricultural Employers is offering a Sept. 12 online seminar to help agricultural employers prepare for new heat regulations.

Employee turnover not a problem at family-focused Texas distributor
Employee turnover not a problem at family-focused Texas distributor

Hardie's Fresh Foods has a 95% employee retention rate, and with an on-site health clinic and recent backpack giveaway, it's not hard to see why.

Western Growers calls on the U.S. Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act
Western Growers calls on the U.S. Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act

Western Growers released a new video that calls on the U.S. Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to ease the industry's labor shortage and reduce food inflation.

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Tight labor market forces tough choices for growers

Higher labor costs are squeezing fruit and vegetable growers and forcing them to respond by automating, borrowing foreign labor or moving production out of the U.S.

Lawmakers call for bipartisan solutions to farm labor shortage
Lawmakers call for bipartisan solutions to farm labor shortage

National and state agricultural leaders joined Republican members of Congress on July 11 to call on Congress to pass bipartisan workforce solutions to address the farm labor shortage.

Tomato harvesting robot GRoW wins GreenTech Robot Challenge
Tomato harvesting robot GRoW wins GreenTech Robot Challenge

The professional jury of GreenTech has named the GRoW tomato harvesting robot by Ridder and MetoMotion as the winner of the Robot Challenge, according to a news release.

A favorable Supreme Court decision does not alter PAGA fix efforts 
A favorable Supreme Court decision does not alter PAGA fix efforts 

The U.S. Supreme Court on June 15 ruled that employees who sign arbitration agreements can’t bring certain claims under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) to court.

USDA: Field worker wages up 9% this year
USDA: Field worker wages up 9% this year

U.S. field worker wages are up 9% this year, according to the latest farm labor survey by the USDA.

USDA to invest up to $65M in a pilot to bolster food supply, improve working conditions for farmworkers
USDA to invest up to $65M in a pilot to bolster food supply, improve working conditions for farmworkers

The USDA and other federal agencies will develop a pilot program utilizing up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan funding to provide support for agricultural employers, according to a news release.

Farmworker Florentino Reyes picks tomatoes Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at a field near Mendota, Calif.
H-2A program sees double-digit gains in positions filled

American growers need more workers, and the H-2A program is answering the bell.

Department of Labor recovers $225K in back H-2A wages, issues penalties to five California farms
Department of Labor recovers $225K in back H-2A wages, issues penalties to five California farms

An ongoing U.S. Department of Labor effort has revealed some California vegetable farms have not been providing H-2A workers with the pay and benefits the law requires, according to a news release from the agency.

Bonduelle implements inclusive hiring at all fresh facilities in the U.S. 
Bonduelle implements inclusive hiring at all fresh facilities in the U.S. 

The maker of Ready Pac Bistro has launched an inclusive hiring model designed to remove barriers to employment and create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

NCAE offers web seminar on mitigating heat stress for farmworkers
NCAE offers web seminar on mitigating heat stress for farmworkers

The Washington, D.C.-based National Council of Agricultural Employers is offering a web seminar on methods to reduce heat stress for farmworkers.

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Florida woman pleads guilty to racketeering conspiracy involving forced labor of Mexican agricultural H-2A workers

A Florida woman pleaded guilty on April 6 to a federal racketeering conspiracy that victimized Mexican agricultural workers admitted into the U.S. under the H-2A temporary visa program, according to a news release.

The happy factor: Retaining employees during 'the great resignation'
The happy factor: Retaining employees during 'the great resignation'

Now, more than ever, employee wellness is not just a human resources concern.

Homegrown Organic Farms announces Northwest organic blueberry operations have achieved Equitable Food Initiative certification
Homegrown Organic Farms announces Northwest organic blueberry operations have achieved Equitable Food Initiative certification

Porterville, Calif.-based Homegrown Organic Farms has announced its Northwest organic blueberry farms in Oregon have earned Equitable Food Initiative certification. 

U.S. Department of Labor education, enforcement campaign seeks to increase Southeast agricultural industry compliance
U.S. Department of Labor education, enforcement campaign seeks to increase Southeast agricultural industry compliance

The U.S. Department of Labor is continuing its multiyear education and enforcement initiative to increase compliance with federal labor laws in the Southeast’s agricultural industry, according to a news release.

Florida employer to pay $165K in back wages, $75K in penalties for shorting H-2A workers' wages, other violations
Florida employer to pay $165K in back wages, $75K in penalties for shorting H-2A workers' wages, other violations

After toiling in fields under a hot Missouri sun, immigrant workers returned to what was once a county jail where their employer housed them in unsanitary living conditions, according to the Department of Labor.

 EFI report highlights ways to improve labor recruitment
 EFI report highlights ways to improve labor recruitment

North American agricultural employers may have a leg up on their competitors if they follow principles revealed in a study by the Equitable Food Initiative.

Department of Labor: Two California agricultural employers shortchanged workers
Department of Labor: Two California agricultural employers shortchanged workers

The U.S. Department of Labor said it found numerous violations of the H-2A agricultural worker program by Roberto Perez Farms and Perez Bros Farms Inc. in Turlock.

Three citrus farm labor contractors pay $76K in back wages, penalties
Three citrus farm labor contractors pay $76K in back wages, penalties

When three Arcadia citrus farm labor contractors failed to comply with the requirements of the federal H-2A agricultural worker visa program, they shortchanged 123 employees – owing them $72,609 in total wages.

Produce industry looks to Congress for solutions to the labor crisis
Produce industry looks to Congress for solutions to the labor crisis

ANAHEIM, Calif. –  As hard as it is to achieve, the bipartisan effort of Congress is the only way forward to meaningful farm labor reform.

The Packer's top 10 fruit and vegetable news for 2021
The Packer's top 10 fruit and vegetable news for 2021

The year 2021 was a rough one and brought no “back to normal”. For many 2021 wasn't much better than 2020. Take a trip back in time with us and explore 2021's top 10 fruit and vegetable news.

2021 Year in Review — Labor
2021 Year in Review — Labor

Labor is typically always tight on the fresh produce farm. That was truer than ever in 2021, but nearly everyone else in the food supply chain was also experiencing a shortage of workers.

U.S. Department of Labor awards $5 million grant to help agricultural supply chain workers in Honduras, Guatemala
U.S. Department of Labor awards $5 million grant to help agricultural supply chain workers in Honduras, Guatemala

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of a $5 million cooperative agreement to the American Center for International Labor Solidarity to improve agricultural workers’ rights in Latin America.

Costa statement on Senate Parliamentarian’s decision on  immigration reform in Build Back Better Act 
Costa statement on Senate Parliamentarian’s decision on  immigration reform in Build Back Better Act 

“I am extremely disappointed with this decision by the Senate parliamentarian to remove critical immigration reform from the Build Back Better Act."

Amy Sowder
If women are good for business, what are we doing about it?

Amid a labor shortage across all employment levels, we risk losing the skills, talents and perspectives of 51% of our population when we don’t tailor our produce companies and roles to women’s needs today.

U.S. Department of Labor to change method for setting wage rates for the H-2A program
U.S. Department of Labor to change method for setting wage rates for the H-2A program

The way the government calculates the H-2A program’s wage rate is changing, but perhaps for the worse for growers.

Now Available: Award-winning documentary, ‘The Last Harvest,’ releases for free exclusively on Vimeo
Now Available: Award-winning documentary, ‘The Last Harvest,’ releases for free exclusively on Vimeo

The award-winning documentary, “The Last Harvest,” releases for free exclusively on Vimeo for a timely message of appreciation and acknowledgment of the challenges facing those who grow and harvest our food.

John Deere and UAW reach new 6-year deal, ending month-long strike
John Deere and UAW reach new 6-year deal, ending month-long strike

Members of the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) approved a new six-year deal on Wednesday with a 61% vote. The new agreement includes a signing bonus, wage increases, as well as enhanced retirement options.

USDA begins accepting applications for new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program
USDA begins accepting applications for new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it is accepting applications for the new Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) grant program first announced on Sept. 7, 2021.

Mushroom output slowed by tight labor, input shortages
Mushroom output slowed by tight labor, input shortages

With Philadelphia terminal market mushroom prices running 30% above year-ago levels in late October, the American Mushroom Institute warned that tight supplies of mushrooms are anticipated for the holiday season.

U.S. Department of Labor initiates rulemaking to protect workers from heat hazards and rising temperatures
U.S. Department of Labor initiates rulemaking to protect workers from heat hazards and rising temperatures

Record-breaking heat in the U.S. in 2021 endangered millions of workers exposed to heat illness and injury in both indoor and outdoor work environments.

Are you paying employees a (real) living wage for your area?
Are you paying employees a (real) living wage for your area?

Paying a "living wage" is different than the set minimum wage in your area, and can be determined using this Living Wage Calculator, created by Amy Glasmeier, an MIT professor.

UPDATED: CBP issues withhold release order on tomatoes produced by farm in Mexico
UPDATED: CBP issues withhold release order on tomatoes produced by farm in Mexico

UPDATED: Effective Oct. 21, U.S. Customs officers at ports of entry will detain fresh tomatoes produced by the farm Agropecuarios Tom S.A. de C.V., and Horticola S.A de C.V., according to a statement from the agency.

Labor solution: Associated Wholesale Grocers adds TimeForge labor management software
Labor solution: Associated Wholesale Grocers adds TimeForge labor management software

Kansas City, Kan.-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. has established a preferred partnership with TimeForge, a data-driven labor management software suite serving the retail grocery industry.

EFI announces leadership team advisory group
EFI announces leadership team advisory group

Equitable Food Initiative announces the formation of its leadership team advisory group as a standing committee of EFI’s board of directors.

U.S. Department of Labor announces $5 million in funding opportunity to combat forced, child labor abuses
U.S. Department of Labor announces $5 million in funding opportunity to combat forced, child labor abuses

The U.S. Department of Labor on Oct. 4 announced the availability of up to $5 million in grant funding to support core standards to combat labor abuses by employers in Mexico’s tomato and chile pepper sectors.

First farm labor contractors in the U.S. achieve Clearview Certification for responsible recruitment practices
First farm labor contractors in the U.S. achieve Clearview Certification for responsible recruitment practices

Stronger Together US is proud to announce Oregon-based AgriLabor and California-based AgSocio are the first farm labor contractors (FLCs) to achieve Clearview certification in the United States. 

Ag groups praise Newsom for AB 616 Veto
Ag groups praise Newsom for AB 616 Veto

Agricultural groups in California are expressing appreciation for Governor Newsom's veto of AB 616.

Sen. Stabenow urges industry activism on immigration reform and climate change
Sen. Stabenow urges industry activism on immigration reform and climate change

Senate ag committee leader Debbie Stabenow stressed the importance of industry engagement on immigration and climate change legislation in an address to the United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference.

H-2A program doubles in size from 2010 to 2019
H-2A program doubles in size from 2010 to 2019

The H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers Program more than doubled in size in less than ten years, and fruit, vegetable and nut growers were a big reason for the growth.

NCAE announces new opportunity to vaccinate farmworkers
NCAE announces new opportunity to vaccinate farmworkers

The National Council of Agricultural Employers has announced the council’s ongoing collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control has resulted in another new opportunity to protect farmworkers from COVID-19.

Western Growers denounces passage of AB 616 in California legislature
Western Growers denounces passage of AB 616 in California legislature

In response to passage of AB 616 by the California State Legislature Western Growers President & CEO Dave Puglia issued the following statement:

EFI Highlights Role of Farmworkers During Food Safety Month
EFI Highlights Role of Farmworkers During Food Safety Month

Equitable Food Initiative is celebrating National Food Safety Education Month by encouraging growers and agricultural associations to share their commitment to food safety.

National Council of Agricultural Employers files inquiry with the USDA
National Council of Agricultural Employers files inquiry with the USDA

The National Council of Agricultural Employers filed an inquiry with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  

H-2A program helps growers navigate labor shortage
H-2A program helps growers navigate labor shortage

The best outcomes for pear and apple harvest may go to growers who have the best access for H-2A labor.

CFFA calls on Newsom to veto AB 616
CFFA calls on Newsom to veto AB 616

On Aug. 26, the California State Senate voted 24-11 to pass AB 616 (Stone), commonly referred to as “card check.”

Western Growers unveils middle school to post-graduate Agtech Career Development Pipeline
Western Growers unveils middle school to post-graduate Agtech Career Development Pipeline

Western Growers has bolstered its workforce development efforts with the launch of five initiatives aimed at transitioning the agriculture workforce to master rapidly developing agricultural technology.