WSTFA Disappointed In Shrier’s Comments On H2-A

Tree fruit growers across Central Washington have expressed frustration, and in some cases outrage, following the comments last week by 8^th Congressional seat candidate Dr. Kim Schrier.  During a debate on the CWU campus, Schrier said the H2-A program can lead to a pattern of indentured servitude where a worker is essentially held hostage by a potentially abusive farmer.

Jon Devaney, President of the Washington state Free Fruit Association, said it was very disappointing to see someone running to represent the tree fruit growers of Central Washington mischaracterize the H2-A program and the farmers that use it.

“We’re talking about a program that’s overseen by multiple state and federal agencies, the Department of Labor, Homeland Security and state, with additional oversight by state employment security and the Department of Health, and they’re implementing regulations implemented by the Obama administration.  So, this is a highly regulated and overseen program.”

DeVaney said the tree fruit industry, like many others in agriculture, are getting squeezed by a record low unemployment rate of 4.4%.  He said many that typically work in orchards are leaving for other opportunities and not returning.  DeVaney acknowledged there are things that can be done to make the H2-A program better for growers and workers.

“It should be possible to look more regionally about labor markets and labor shortages.  And there should be a means of having some workers come in those environments on a legal basis and move between agricultural employers, so they can go where the jobs are, and for the employers that they choose to work for.”

DeVaney noted many of those H2-A improvement conversations are already taking place in Washington D.C.

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