Fresno Co. Grower Brings in Foreign Workers, Despite Availability of U.S. Workers
FRESNO – The United Farm Workers today filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor charging that Tanimura & Antle violated federal law by denying jobs to qualified U.S. farm workers while hiring temporary foreign workers under the H-2A program.
Tanimura & Antle, based in Salinas and with operations in Five Points, Oxnard and Brawley, is one of the largest vegetable companies in the country growing among other things lettuce, tomatoes and broccoli.
Tanimura & Antle received approval from the DOL to bring in workers for the 2007-2008 lettuce season to work during the specified period from 11/02/07 to 3/31/08. DOL issued the approval based on the company’s claim that it faced a shortage of labor and needed to hire guest workers.
The UFW charges that Tanimura & Antle violated the H-2A requirements under federal immigration law by failing to recruit and hire willing and available U.S. workers – including its own laid-off employees.
“This is a prime example of the problems with the current H2A program,” said Armando Elenes, external organizing director for the UFW. “The Department of Labor does nothing to stop employer abuses under the H-2A program.”
On Feb. 13, DOL proposed significant changes to the H-2A program – including easing the agency’s oversight of the recruitment requirements.
“Just imagine the nightmare scenario for farm workers if the changes proposed by the Bush Administration go into effect,” Elenes said.
The UFW is also asking for an investigation of the Employment and Training Administration Foreign Labor Certification Division’s Chicago Processing Center and national office for failing to ensure that U.S. workers laid-off by Tanimura & Antle were recruited for jobs.
A press conference to discuss the matter and complaint will be held tomorrow morning.
When: 11 a.m., Thurs., March 13, 2008
Where: 2115 Kern St., Suite 370, Fresno, CA (CRLA Office)
Who: Armando Elenes, external organizing director, UFW; laid-off Tanimura & Antle workers
Mateo Silva and Simon San German