Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 92 and Assembly Bill 2288 to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). These reforms aim to help workers get fair compensation while …
PAGA Reform Agreement Reached
After months of discussions among California’s government officials, labor advocates, and businesses, an agreement has been reached to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). The PAGA reform aims to …
New Labor Rule Developed in ‘Bad Faith and Should Be Immediately Withdrawn’
The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has expressed significant disappointment with the new 600-page regulation from the Department of Labor (DOL). In a scathing response to the rule, Council …
California Card Check Law Moving to Other States
Experts say a California farm labor union law is moving into areas like Michigan and New York and could soon be in other states. It’s called the California Ag Labor …
Farm Bureau Highlights ‘Tsunami of New Rules’ from Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule aimed at strengthening protections for temporary ag workers by making several changes to the H-2A program. DOL has noted the …
Concerns Raised Over UFW Use of FFWR Grant Funds
The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has expressed frustration over allegations of misuse of USDA’s Farm and Food Worker Relief (FFWR) Grant Program. The program is meant to provide …
House Agriculture Committee Offers Farm Labor Solution
The House Agriculture Committee laid out a roadmap to relieve labor shortages that have seriously impacted America’s farmers and ranchers. The Agriculture Labor Working Group (ALWG) released its final report …
Supporting Farm Operations Act Introduced in Congress
The Supporting Farm Operations Act, H.R. 7046, was introduced in the U.S. House Representatives last week. It seeks to address the high cost of agricultural labor by freezing the Adverse …
Wage Declines from AB 1066 an ‘Ironclad Rule of Economics’
Farm employers are reducing the hours of overtime worked by their employees due to hourly limitations established by AB 1066. Bryan Little, Director of Employment Policy with the California Farm …
Congressional Effort Seeks to Address H-2A Wage Concerns for U.S. Farmers
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has voiced concern about the increasing H-2A wage and its impact on family farmers. Seventy-five U.S. House of Representatives members penned a letter to the …
Average Pay Levels Decline for Ag Workers After Two Years of New Overtime Rules
California’s 2019 overtime law for ag workers appears to have resulted in reduced weekly working hours and earnings for crop workers over the subsequent two years. The findings are highlighted …
H-2A Usage Continues to Grow Even with High Costs
In fiscal year 2023, H-2A visa usage in the U.S. reached a record high of 378,513 certified positions, marking a two percent increase from the previous year, as revealed in …
New Paid Sick Leave Requirements to Become Effective January 1, 2024
Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 616 into law, ushering in significant changes to paid sick leave (PSL) requirements. Effective January 1, 2024, this legislation, put forth by state …
A Pilot to Improve Ag Workforce
A new USDA pilot program has grant funding now available for ag employees needing resources to address various farm labor and workforce challenges. Rod Bain has more in today’s This …