of the process, going above and beyond my expectation. I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about hiring H-2A workers that they contact Western Growers first.” Kathy added: “Western Growers has helped us every step of the way, working with the Department of Labor on our behalf, making our interaction with them positive. The penalties for not adhering to the rules and regulations relating to worker housing can be quite onerous. Western Growers ensures that we stay in compliance with what is expected and helps us keep up with the everchanging laws and regulations.” River Vista said the biggest drawback of the program is the guaranteed minimum wage for H-2A workers, which drives up all the wages paid on the ranch. Kathy added that the housing requirements is the first hurdle a potential user must jump. “If you do not operate a labor camp or have worker housing available it would be difficult, almost impossible, to participate in this program,” she said. Overall, River Vista is happy with their
results and the workers they receive every year. “The H-2A workers we have gotten come prepared to work,” Kathy said. “They are very enthusiastic and productive.” Arvin, CA-based Tasteful Selections, which specializes in producing and packaging value-added packs of bite-sized potatoes, launched a pilot H-2A program with Western Growers this season as a potential additional solution to its labor issues. Director of Human Resources Fred Garcia noted that the potato processor dipped their toes into the process this year by requesting six workers on a five-month contract for their plant in Lamont, CA, and then eight workers for a 10-month contract at their Parker, AZ facility. “The reason we are trying it is that we have a shortage of labor and are looking for solutions,” Garcia said. “We have used an FLC in the past (to fill holes) but we were not happy with the consistency of the workers we received.” He said this pilot program only represents a handful of the hundreds of workers Tasteful Selections employ at their two plants but so far he has been pleased with
the outcome. “The biggest hurdle was housing. That was the most challenging but once we solved that we have been happy with the results.” And Garcia said working with Western Growers H-2A team was very helpful. He said they helped with the paperwork and gave the supervisors a one-hour training session to make sure they understood their responsibilities. Garcia said he also followed Resnick’s advice to make the first day on the job memorable for these workers by buying them a few gifts to make their stay with the employer a good one. For example, they gave these new employees soccer balls and some games that would give them something to do in their off time. “We want to be an employer of choice,” he said. He added that the adverse effect wage rate that the DOL establishes on a state-by-state basis is not an impediment to using the H-2A program. “We just look at it as the cost of doing business,” he said, indicating that the main goal is securing a competent labor force so that Tasteful Selections can service its customers.
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