Hearing For H2A Minimum Wage Debate Set For Later This Month

A Washington, D.C. judge has set a January 28^th hearing on arguments about a preliminary injunction to halt increases in the minimum wage for H2A workers.  That increase took effect one week ago.

The National Council for Agricultural Employers and a Nevada farm filed the lawsuit on January 7th against the Department of Labor.  According to Capital Press, the suit calls the minimum wage increase for this year arbitrary, unsubstantiated and will cause irreparable harm to many farms.

The Department of Justice is representing DOL in opposing a preliminary injunction.

The pay increase averages out to 6.3% nationwide, but can be higher state to state, increasing to $15.03 in Washington and Oregon, the highest in the nation.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com