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Congressional letter reflects angst over AEWR

- Analysis
A letter sent to Congress on January 11 urging a freeze on increases in the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) reflects increased frustration among American growers with federal guestworker requirements.

House members send bipartisan letter requesting H-2A visa guestworker wage freeze

- General News
Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) was joined by 74 of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter to House and Senate appropriations leaders requesting an H-2A visa guestworker wage freeze in an upcoming spending package.

Pollution increases heat-related farmworker danger

- Analysis
Official statistics greatly underreport heat-related deaths among farmworkers in California’s San Joaquin Valley, according to a study by Inside Climate News.

Pizza Hut to lay off drivers ahead of California wage hike 

- General News
Hundreds of California Pizza Hut franchises plan to lay off delivery drivers ahead of the state’s new $20 per hour minimum wage for fast food workers. 

Equitable Food Initiative celebrates year of progress

- General News
Equitable Food Initiative celebrates progress toward its mission to offer supply chain assurance programs to the produce industry

Restaurant survey: operators expect up to 5% labor cost increase in 2024

- General News
Restaurant operators representing nearly 5,500 locations across the nation shared their top challenges and opportunities for 2023 and 2024.

Study finds California ag law reduced working hours, earnings

- General News
Researchers found the losses are consistent with employers restricting hours to avoid paying the higher overtime rates.

SpartanNash partners with Junior Achievement for financial planning and career exploration

- Retail
Food solutions company SpartanNash announced a partnership with youth education nonprofit Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes (JAMGL) to support JA Finance Park, the organization's capstone program for financial planning and career exploration.

Ethical charter program inaugurated

- General News
Produce industry stakeholders came together to launch the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP), promoting ethical labor practices

Mexican minimum wage rises 20%

- Analysis
Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrádor (aka AMLO) has announced another rise in the Mexican minimum wage: 20 percent, as of January 1, 2024.