1/7/08 Surviving H2A Part 2

Surviving H2A Part 2. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Putting an H2A program in place takes plenty of preplanning. And due to the many interpretations of the law, it can be a difficult road to navigate. Ryan Edgley is a lawyer in Yakima that deals with H2A issues and he says there are many details to be paid attention to. EDGLEY: For example, if you are covered by the State Farm Labor Contractor Act you are required to give every employee a statement of certain terms and conditions of the employment on a form that is prescribed by the director of the Department of Labor and Industries, translated into a language in which the worker is fluent. He says there are even state agencies that fail to provide the proper documentation. But ultimately you are the one who is responsible to make sure the correct materials are presented. EDGLEY: I believe that it's best to be transparent. You don't want to be fighting with the agency after the fact. Think about how your operation works and if you're not sure and by all means, use and experienced agency. Not government agency but like Washington Farm Labor Source, the Northwest Growers Association. I've worked with both of those; they have experience in helping growers put together applications for H2A programs. Anticipating what may occur in any given case is a key element to a successful H2A program. EDGLEY: Anticipate them, be transparent. Tell the Department of Labor, this is what I intend to do and if you get them to buy off on it even if they're wrong they're not going to be fighting with you in the middle of the season. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.