An announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding a new vaccine mandate is being met with concern from agricultural groups. All non-U.S. citizens crossing the border into the …
Governor’s Veto of AB 616 ‘Protects the Sanctity of the Secret Ballot’
Several agricultural organizations have expressed support for Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of AB 616. The bill would have eliminated the secret ballot process for voting on issues of union representation. …
Ag Industry Gathers to Encourage Governor Newsom to Veto AB 616
A rally organized by the California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) sought to encourage Governor Gavin Newsom to veto AB 616. Agricultural industry members gathered at the south steps of the …
‘Large Step Forward’ Taken with Farm Labor Reform Roundtable
A recent farm labor reform roundtable brought together Senate leadership, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and farm and farmworker organizations. The group discussed the need for change as detailed in the …
‘Critically Important’ Farm Workforce Bill Receives House Approval
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives through a vote of 247-174. Advocates of the bill are hopeful that the Senate will begin …
DOL Issues Final Rule for H-2A Certification Program
A final rule was recently issued that will update the H-2A certification program. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the amendments on January 15. The announcement comes after extensive …
New Report Details Findings of Ag Labor Investigations
A new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) provides in-depth analysis of ag labor investigations over the past twenty years. The Federal Labor Standards Enforcement in Agriculture report notes …
Farmworker Groups Sue Over DOL Decision Regarding Wage Rates
Farmworker groups are taking legal action against the recent decision not to increase H-2A wage rates. The United Farm Workers (UFW) and the UFW Foundation are suing the Department of …
H-2A Wages to Remain Stable Over the Next Two Years
The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced that H-2A wages will remain at 2020 rates for the next two years. DOL is revising the methodology for how the department determines …
Housing for the Harvest Program Continues to Expand
The Housing for the Harvest program is continuing to expand to cover more areas of California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently announced that Yolo and Imperial …
Housing for the Harvest Program Expands to Santa Barbara
After an announcement from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) the Housing for the Harvest Program has been expanded. Santa Barbara County will now be joining Fresno and …
Industry Members Encouraged to Engage on SB 1383
Senate Bill 1383 is currently being considered in the California Assembly. The bill seeks to expand the reach of the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Employers with as few as …
How to Avoid COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Penalties
It is important for employers to fully understand what is required under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). A farming …
Permanent Wildfire Smoke Standard Moving Forward Despite Industry Concerns
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is continuing to advance a permanent wildfire smoke standard. A temporary rule has been in effect since July of last year …