Labor

Masks distributed to California agricultural employees

The state of California recently shipped 1.4 million N-95 masks to agricultural commissioners in 35 counties for wildfire smoke protection for farmworkers. This is part of that effort. From a joint news release by the... more »

Appeal of ruling over Michigan farmworker testing pursued

An Aug. 21 ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney of the Western District of Michigan denying a request from farmworkers and their employers for an injunction against Michigan Department of Health and Human Services... more »

Demand for H-2A workers hits record numbers in the third quarter

When the U.S. government announced its decision to suspend visa processing in Mexico starting March 18 to combat the spread of the coronavirus, growers around the country immediately expressed concerns that the action could have... more »

Baseline testing of Michigan workers has Aug. 24 deadline

The Michigan departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Agriculture and Rural Development are reminding employers that the Public Health Order mandating baseline testing for agricultural and food processing workers has a deadline of... more »

Ruling denies Michigan farmworkers’ plea to end testing mandate

U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney of the Western District of Michigan issued a ruling late Friday, Aug. 21, denying a request from farmworkers and their employers for an injunction against an emergency order issued by... more »

Free legal assistance for Florida farmworkers available through hotline

Farmworkers across the state can now call a toll-free number, 1-844-44FARMWORKERS (OR 1-844-443-2769) to get free legal assistance with issues on the rise because of the COVID-19 crisis. Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS), a non-profit law firm,... more »

US will continue farm workers’ visa extensions amid virus

An action to be placed in the Federal Register on Aug. 20 allows foreign farm workers to extend their H-2A temporary work visas to immediately begin work with new employers in an effort to protect... more »

Ag needs cohesive message, minus of any distractions

My foot slid slightly on whatever was on the sidewalk. Whatever it was kind of crackled beneath my shoe. I stopped and looked but didn’t notice anything. I knew it wasn’t chewing gum and was... more »