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June 1, 2022, by Bob Larson

From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. As we enter the first year without an overtime exemption for agriculture, many are still working on how there are going to manage labor on their farms.

New WAFLA CEO Enrique Gastelum says that is one of his top priorities moving into this new world …

GASTELUM … “We’re doing our best to help farmers and their businesses trying to understand how to practically implement the new law and come up with ways and solutions to sort of navigate it.”

As for the fears that the new laws will drive workers to other states, Gastelum says there’s two sides to that coin …

GASTELUM … “So, for the H-2A workers, when they look at the adverse affective wage rate of $17.41 per hour and even the higher, for piece rate wages that need to be guaranteed on the H-2A contracts, I think employees from other countries when they look at those wages are like, yeah, you’re still double or 35%-40% higher than some other states.”

And fortunately, Gastelum feels like that is a BIG positive …

GASTELUM … “Washington, Oregon, California are still more desirable places or it checks the boxes for a good place to go, right, on the financial aspect.”

Tune in tomorrow for more on the new overtime laws and Gastelum’s message to the ag industry and employers.