Tag: labor

We remain stuck on reform yet again, with a solution looking further away than ever.

According to statistics from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), every day approximately 100 farmworkers suffer a lost time injury, with the total industry cost exceeding $8 billion.

USDA is gathering input to help shape a recently announced planned grant program focused on improving the resiliency of our food and agricultural supply chain by addressing labor shortages in agriculture, reducing irregular migration through increased use of legal pathways, and improving labor protections for farmworkers.

On Thursday, September 22, at 10am CST, the American Business Immigration Coalition Action (ABIC Action), Texas International Produce Association, Little Bear Produce, City of McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos and City of Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. will participate in a press event and roundtable entitled “Lower Food Prices, Keep Shelves Stocked: Common Sense Solutions to Texas’ Farm Labor Shortage.”

USApple President & CEO Jim Bair spoke at a press conference September 15 on Capitol Hill urging Senate action on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. He joined Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), as well as other agriculture industry leaders as part of the American Business Immigration Coalition.

There was great concern that the pandemic would lead to severe farm labor shortages, causing growers to leave crops unharvested. Fortunately, that problem didn’t pan out, as we learn from a report issued by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) in August 2022.

Personnel concerns are at the forefront of business news today. Some talk about a “rush for talent.” Others are concerned with worker retention.

I came across this item of interest on the Guardian website recently. It is about the use of mechanization to displace human labor on farms, particularly those growing fruits and vegetables.

One of today’s biggest news items has to do with new California legislation that may mean an increase in the minimum wage paid to workers in fast-food restaurants. 

California governor Gavin Newsom has been given another chance to approve legislation governing union elections for farmworkers.