Washington, D.C. — Western Growers applauds the agreement today on immigration reform reached by the Agriculture Workforce Coalition, the United Farm Workers (UFW) and key Senators engaged in the process. Western Growers is a member of the AWC, an organization working toward a viable solution for America’s farmers and ranchers to have access to a legal workforce now and in the future. The framework and objectives of this agreement represent a major step toward ensuring that, said WG President and CEO Tom Nassif.
Nassif, who was in direct negotiations with the UFW over the weekend and through Friday said, “The agreement the Ag Workforce Coalition was able negotiate with the UFW is a crucial step in solving our immigration crisis and securing a stable and legal workforce in the years to come. Over the past year the agriculture community was able to come together in a historically broad coalition. The force of agricultural producers and worker representatives coming together on a framework will play a significant role in achieving immigration reform this year.”
Nassif thanked the Senators involved in this effort. “For years, Senator Feinstein has been tireless in her work to achieve solutions for the immigration crisis facing agriculture,” Nassif said. “We commend her for that commitment to our industry. Senator Rubio joined the effort to find a solution last year and has been an integral part in achieving a compromise that both meets needs of agriculture producers and will garner support of Republicans in Congress. Additionally, the more recent participation by Senators Hatch and Bennet has been integral in achieving agreement.”
About Western Growers:
Since 1926, we have represented local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona and California. Our members provide half the nation’s fresh fruits and vegetables including a third of America’s fresh organic produce. Some also farm throughout the U.S. and in other countries so people have year-round access to nutritious food. For generations we have provided variety and healthy choices as the first line of defense against obesity and disease. We grow the best medicine in the world.™ Visit http://www.wga.com/ for more information.
About the Agriculture Workforce Coalition:
The Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) brings together organizations representing the diverse needs of agricultural employers across the country. AWC serves as the unified voice of agriculture in the effort to ensure that America’s farmers, ranchers and growers have access to a stable and secure workforce.
To help achieve this goal, the AWC has developed a framework that presents a viable solution to agriculture’s labor needs. The proposal includes both an earned adjustment in status for current agricultural employees who presently lack legal status and a program to ensure an adequate farm workforce in the future. Also, unlike current programs such as H-2A, the AWC proposal is meant to ensure that all types of producers—including both those with seasonal labor needs and ones with year-round labor needs—have access to the workforce they need to remain productive and competitive.
To learn more about AWC, visit our web site at www.agworkforcecoalition.org.
Source: Western Growers