News Release

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ESA News Release: [07/15/2004]
Contact Name: Dolline Hatchett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4651

Labor Department Partners with American Mushroom Institute to Help Mushroom Growers Comply with Federal Law

WASHINGTON—In an effort to educate mushroom growers throughout the country about minimum wage, overtime and worker health and safety, the U.S. Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has entered into a partnership with the American Mushroom Institute (AMI).

The AMI is a national, nonprofit trade association established by mushroom growers with a total membership of approximately 400 members, including 120 mushroom farms.

“This agreement provides a great opportunity to help mushroom growers understand their responsibilities under the federal law,” says Al Robinson, acting administrator of the Wage and Hour Division. “We look forward to working with the Institute to supply its members with the information they need to be in compliance.”

Under the WHD/AMI agreement, the two organizations will work together to assist growers in rural and farm communities to comply with the laws administered by the Wage and Hour Division, including: the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), the H-2A program under the Immigration and Nationality Act (H-2A), and certain provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).

To obtain information about the laws administered by the Wage and Hour Division, call the department's toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) or visit the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov.

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