AEWR Lawsuit
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Agriculture is watching as a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s REVISED H-2A wage calculation will be taken up in a California courtroom.
The United Farm Workers claim foreign guestworkers are being harmed by the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate.
Michelle Grainger with the Ag Wage Reform Coalition disputes those claims …
GRAINGER … “Here is data as to the way that the lawsuit was stated is misleading, and here's what really needs to be considered. So the hearing in California is right now up in the air as to what we'll learn from it.”
Grainger says they’re not the only group rebutting the plaintiffs’ arguments …
GRAINGER … “So, this court has heard from numerous groups from across the country, of concern that this lawsuit may not have the strength that was presented initially when it was filed.”
Regardless, Grainger says the Interim Final Rule needs to be codified into law to give farmers certainty …
GRAINGER … “If we have this law codified where the rate was more in line with appropriate fees associated with skills, then farmers could plan. They could invest. We need Congress’ support, because as administrations change, and they always do, this temporary or interim rule could also change, and that could be very devastating.”
Michelle Grainger of the Ag Wage Reform Coalition.
