Labor Reform Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. Depending on who you talk to, labor reform is desperately needed in agriculture, with costs soaring, pricing out more and more farmers every day.
Kate Tynan, Senior Vice President at the Northwest Horticultural Council, says on the list of problems, this is right at the top …
TYNAN … “Wage growth and labor costs is by far the biggest issue that we’re working on.”
And at this point, Tynan says when it comes to finding solutions for ag labor’s many issues …
TYNAN … “The situation is really dire enough for our growers that we’re really taking an approach of looking at any and all options, whether it be the broad reform that we ultimately need or even more targeted reforms or short-term solutions like a freeze to the adverse effect wage rate for, you know, one or two years that would at least provide some relief while we continue to push for that broader reform that we need.”
And the adverse effect wage rate, Tynan says is just one of the problems …
TYNAN … “One thing I will note, is some of the regions that have a lower AEWR than, you know, those of us in Washington, and Oregon, and California, and states like that, have seen significant increases in recent years. So, while their AEWR might still be quite a bit lower than ours, as our growers can tell you, any time you have to absorb a 9 percent increase in your wage rate from one year to the next, that’s a big problem.”
Listen tomorrow for more on finding labor reform solutions.
