Key Updates from the Western Growers Family of Companies Early Bird Registration Now Open for the 2023 WG Annual Meeting We are excited to announce that early bird registration is now open for the 97 th Western Growers Annual Meeting to be held at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, from Nov. 12-15. Attended by key decision- makers from Western
John D’Arrigo, a third-generation farmer, began his farming career cutting and packing lettuce, loading celery and planting fields in the Salinas Valley during the 1970s. John served on the Western Growers Board of Directors for 28 years and as Chair in 2004. In addition, he served on the Western Growers Assurance Trust Board of Directors from 1997-2022. For more information and to register for the event, please visit: https://www.wgannualmeeting.com/. We encourage you to check our website periodically for further updates to our agenda, including speaker announcements and details on informative and engaging presentations. If you’d like to take advantage of sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kim Stuart, Assistant Vice President, Membership, at kstuart@wga.com. —Michelle Rivera
Growers member companies, the Annual Meeting brings growers, shippers and processors together with allies and suppliers in the fresh produce industry. This year, Western Growers
will present the 2023 Award of Honor to D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California CEO/President and Chairman of the Board John D’Arrigo. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement and is given to individuals who have contributed extensively to the agricultural community. D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California is a vertically integrated grower, packer and shipper of fresh fruits and vegetables in California, Arizona and Mexico.
CA Localities Once Again Surpass State Minimum Wage Requirements As of July 1, 2023, minimum wage rates continue to rise in several California localities exceeding the state’s mandated $15.50 per hour; in some instances, by several dollars. California employers are required to pay all nonexempt employees in compliance with state, federal and local wage and hour laws. In all cases, employers are required to pay the higher of any applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage. Non-exempt employees must be paid at least a minimum wage for all hours worked including all hours designated as overtime. Localities set to increase minimum wage requirements on July 1, 2023, include[i]: Alameda $16.52 webpage* Berkeley $18.07 webpage Emeryville $18.67 webpage Fremont $16.80 webpage Los Angeles $16.78 webpage L.A. Co. $16.90 webpage Malibu $16.90 webpage Milpitas $17.20 webpage San Francisco $18.07 webpage Santa Monica $16.90 webpage Some localities have removed thresholds based on employer size, so these rates apply to employers of all sizes. Employers with workers in these localities must be sure to update minimum wage posters to reflect the new increases.[ii] Employers are also reminded that changes to local minimum wage rates do not impact minimum salary calculations for determining exemptions for California workers. —Teresa McQueen
* Links will be active on the digital version of WG&S [i] Reference: UC Berkeley Labor Center
[ii] California employers are now allowed, “in any instance in which an employer is required to physically post information, [to] also distribute that information to employees by email with the document or documents attached.” It is important for employers to note that the ability to provide notice through electronic distribution does not eliminate the employer’s obligation to physically display required postings within its existing workspace(s).
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JULY | AUGUST 2023
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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