ag labor

Ag Organizations across the country are seeking a nationwide injunction against a new U.S. Department of Labor rule, allowing foreign farmworkers to form unions, as well as other considerable changes to the H-2A program.  A federal judge in Georgia has already blocked the DOL rule, “Improving Farmworker Protections” in 17 states, including Idaho.  In mid-September, a...

The International Fresh Produce Association and nine co-plaintiffs filed a lawsuit contesting the U.S. Department of Labor’s regulatory overreach and limitations on the freedom of speech of farmers who employ temporary workers.   “DOL is exacerbating an already enormously challenging labor crisis for growers and agriculture employers across the country. This lawsuit ch...

The farming community is facing a variety of challenges right now.  Are tree fruit growers walking away from the industry because of those struggles?  We put that question before the Washington State Tree Fruit's Jon DeVaney.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquareme...

Last month, WAFLA announced it was changing it’s name, but the mission of the organization was going to stay the same.  Formerly known as the Washington Farm Labor Association, WAFLA now will stand for the Worker and Farmer Labor Association.  Organization ...

NASS will kick off its biannual Agricultural Labor Survey in October.  More than 1,000 Northwest farmers and ranchers will be asked to participate in the survey On-line or by mail.  The survey allows producers to provide accurate information about hired farm labor, including total number of hired farm workers, total hours worked, and total wages paid for the weeks of July 7-13 and October 6-12.  

A federal judge blocked the U.S. Labor Department from enforcing a rule in 17 states that would prevent agricultural employers from retaliating against migrant workers with H-2A visas for joining labor unions.  Employers also couldn’t retaliate for workers organizing against wage theft, trafficking, and other abuses.   Courth...

A new report is showing the importance of migrant farmworkers here in the Northwest.  Oregon recorded the biggest increase of H2-A workers in the region from 2017 through 2022.  Idaho and Washington saw increases over the same time period as well.  But by far Washin...

In the world of agriculture there are plenty of hurdles that slow down the process of getting food to the farm to the table. In recent years, labor has come to the top of that list.

The House of Representatives have reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act

Unlike the Oregon and Washington sessions, the Idaho legislative session is fairly quiet for the farming community.  But that does not mean the agriculture industry isn’t watching what’s taking place in Boise very closely.  Cameron Mulrony, Vi...