H-2A and Wages Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. Not that there’s just one, but the biggest challenge for ag employers today has to be finding adequate labor and the cost of paying them.And when it comes to H-2A reform, Kate Tynan, Senior Vice President at the Northwest Horticultural Council, says …
TYNAN … “I think the biggest thing is cost right now. There are certainly a number of challenges related to regulatory burdens. We have seen some wins in the court system related to the DOL worker protection rule that was released in April of this year.”
But on a good note, Tynan says the courts are currently working on that …
TYNAN … “We now have three separate preliminary injunctions that have been imposed on DOL moving forward with individual provisions in some cases of that rule for specific audiences. And in other cases, actually a full preliminary injunction on the rule in its entirety.”
And moving forward, Tynan says it won’t be easy, but …
TYNAN … “It’s created an incredibly complex situation where different folks would be subject to different aspects of that rule. And we’re still seeking clarity from the Department of Labor in regards to how they’re going to move forward on that. Our hope is, frankly, a full repeal and that’s what we’re really pushing for with this new administration when they come in.”
Listen tomorrow to hear more from Tynan on where she thinks our labor and wage challenges might be headed.