Government Sues Blueberry Farm

Government Sues Blueberry Farm. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

A dispute over labor inspections has prompted a lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Labor and an Eastern Washington blueberry farm. The Ag Networks KayDee Gilkey has more.

GILKEY: Blue Mountain Farms and Blue Mountain Farms Packing in Burbank, Wash., initially agreed to allow investigators on their property back on July 23. When investigators returned a second day, the owners threatened to call the sheriff. In a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor, there is seeking to gain access to the farm before the season ends due to crack downs on blueberry farmers who are not complying with child labor and minimum wage laws for migrant and seasonal workers. The issue in Burbank is over an agreement to interview with workers both in the field and in the packing shed. The documents say that lawyers for the grower had only negotiated 15 interviews. When investigators showed up a second day to conduct more interviews they were asked to leave.

Thanks KayDee. This whole issue is over something known as “hot goods” or any products that are produced in violation of the current labor laws. The government had declared the blueberries “hot goods” and had asked Blue Mountain voluntarily not to ship them, according to the letter. The investigation will continue. One labor official said that it is necessary for officials to have access to the farms to conduct time studies to ensure workers are receiving sufficient pay.

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