Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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YAKIMA, Wash. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and the Washington Growers League in Yakima signed a partnership agreement today (Sept.9) to provide assistance to growers, shipper/packers and farm labor contractors regarding compliance with federal labor and employment laws.

The Washington Growers League was formed in 1987 and its 500 members make it one of the largest agricultural organizations in the northwestern part of the U.S. The membership is primarily comprised of apple and cherry growers. However, all types of fruit, nut and vegetable growers in northern Oregon, western Idaho and Washington also depend on the League to lead, represent and protect their interests on labor issues.

"This agreement will leverage and broaden our outreach efforts benefiting both agricultural employers and farm workers of the Northwest," stated George Friday, regional administrator for the Wage and Hour Division. "We applaud the League's willingness to formalize and enhance our existing cooperative relationship."

Under the terms of the agreement, Wage and Hour staff will participate in League seminars and training sessions to discuss the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, requirements applicable to temporary agricultural migrant workers under H-2A visas and field sanitation regulations.

Wage and Hour and the League will encourage members to conduct meetings with employees and farm labor contractors at the beginning of the harvest season to discuss the applicable laws and monitor their operations for compliance.

In addition, Wage and Hour will provide staff and materials for training, establish a liaison who can verify the status and authorization of farm labor contractors to legally do business and to respond to complaints, as appropriate, submitted by members of the League.

For more information about the FLSA, call the Wage Hour District Office at 206-398-8039 or the department's toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243). Information is also available at www.wagehour.dol.gov.

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