House Bill 1896

House Bill 1896. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

Agriculture needs a guest worker program and tomorrow there promises to be some fireworks in Olympia as House Bill 1896, the Essential Worker Pilot bill gets debated according to Farm Bureau’s Dan Fazio.

FAZIO: There will be a lot of controversy on this bill right after the hearing. What the Essential Worker Pilot Bill would do is essentially have the state get involved in a guest worker program and why we feel this is necessary is because we really feel like we need a legal workforce for season employers and project and peak need employers.

Fazio says there is a provision for workers already in the state.

FAZIO: It would allow the state of Washington to work directly with other states and other countries to bring legal workers here. Of course domestic workers would get first dibs on the jobs. All the people in the state would get the first crack at the job providing of course that they are legal workers.

Not everyone is behind the Essential Worker Pilot.

FAZIO: Unfortunately the bill is opposed by labor unions. We don’t quite understand why they would be opposed to the notion of having a legal workforce but it is opposed by the labor unions and so that will make the hearings on Wednesday very controversial and very entertaining for people.

Fazio suggests you call 800-562-6000 and talk with your legislators today.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.