Transportation for Workers

I'm Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

Many agricultural employers provide transportation for their workers before and during the workday. WAFLA's Dan Fazio says that they are concerned over the labor issues that are implicated and the employer liability issues that are raised whenever an employer offers transportation to the workplace, or requires workers to take company transportation.

FAZIO: We've been receiving many questions along these lines, and seen some disturbing news about what the federal interpretations are around paying liability, and so we've asked the law firm of Stokes, Lawrence, Velikanje, Shore & Moore if they had any guidance. In fact, they have gotten the same questions, and the attorneys at Stokes Lawrence have prepared guidance for their client employers who transport workers.

They will be sharing their guidance with WAFLA members in a webinar Tuesday, June 9 from 11 am to noon.

FAZIO: Of course employers who use the H-2A program have got to transport workers, but the regulations are basically the same whether you use the H2A program or not. We really want people to attend the webinar, we really want people to know the rules and the laws; so as an incentive it costs $30 to go to the webinar, which I think is a great deal, but WAFLA is going to give you $250 if you attend this webinar, file an H-2A application with us this year, and then purchase a van with NW Bus Sales between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

For answers to questions regarding pay or liability issues when transporting employees be sure to attend the June 9 webinar or contact WAFLA at 360-455-8064.

That's Washington Ag Today.

I'm Lacy Gray with the Ag Information Network of the West.