farmworkers Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

U.S. Department of Labor updates prevailing wage rates for agricultural workers

By Johanna Bejarano July 16, 2024

Farmworkers pick organic strawberries at Stehly Farms Organics in Valley Center, Calif., on March 25. CREDIT: Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. Department of Labor updated the prevailing wage rates for temporary agricultural workers in Washington state. The move came after Familias Unidas por la Justicia, a farmworker’s union in Skagit County, sued the department last May for failing to protect local workers’ wages and labor conditions.Read More

New funding to build farmworker housing in the Pacific Northwest, nationwide

By Lauren Gallup April 24, 2024

Farmworkers in the Skagit Valley tulip fields. (Credit: Brad Smith / Flickr)

The United States Department of Agriculture is soliciting applications for funding to build farmworker housing nationwide. In the Pacific Northwest, leaders hope the money can address gaps in farmworker housing. The Pacific Northwest is in a housing crisis and that impacts rural small businesses and agricultural producers, as well as farmworkers, said Helen Price Johnson, Read More

Agricultural overtime law still causing controversy

By Johanna Bejarano January 30, 2024

Farmworkers, farmers and advocates gathered at two events – all working to get lawmakers’ attention about the agriculture overtime law. An annual tribunal defended farmworkers’ rights and the overtime law. A separate rally focused on the negative impacts of it. Read More

Overtime law remains in dispute among farmworkers

By Johanna Bejarano November 7, 2023

Farmworkers have met in central Washington to talk about a new overtime law and how it’s impacting their incomes. Farmers say… it’s not sustainable for them. Nonprofits organized rallies in Quincy and Sunnyside.Read More

Yakima family to pay $500,000 in back wages to 400+ orchard workers

By Anna King July 13, 2023

Recently, a Yakima orchard family settled with the state for $500,000 in back wages owed to some 400 farm workers. [Photo courtesy of Washington State Fruit Commission] Read A family-owned […]Read More

Ostrom Mushroom Farms to pay $3.4 million for discrimination

By Johanna Bejarano May 19, 2023

Ostrom Mushroom Farms and Windmill Farms settlement

Ostrom Mushroom Farm must pay 3.4 million dollars for discriminating against workers. The Washington state attorney general said Ostrom’s settlement with Washington state resolved the civil rights lawsuit against the company for unfair, deceptive and discriminatory actions against female farmworkers and Washington-based workers. Read More

Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta speaks at WSU

By Lauren Paterson April 5, 2023

Dolores Huerta speaks at a podium at Washington State University. She wears a black shirt and a turquoise jacket.

Dolores Huerta spoke about her years of activism at the WSU Pullman campus April 3. (Credit: College Assistance Migrant Program) Listen (Runtime 1:07) Read Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta spoke […]Read More

Study: farmworking parents need more resources to cope with wildfire seasons

By Johanna Bejarano March 31, 2023

Farmworkers’ families in Central Washington need more smoke safety information, accessible childcare, and other resources to be prepared for future smoke events. Those are the results of a recent study where researchers asked parents how they cope with wildfire seasons. Read More

WA agricultural overtime flexibility bill will not advance this legislative session

By Johanna Bejarano February 28, 2023

Proposal bill 5476, designed to authorize an agricultural flexibility overtime period in Washington, has not advance in Legislature. Read More

Farmworkers don’t always notice their own mental health struggles

By Johanna Bejarano February 22, 2023

Farmworkers are among the groups disproportionately affected by stress and anxiety. Researchers and healthcare providers say the pandemic increased economic struggles and job pressures. Still, agricultural workers are not always aware that it could impact their mental health. Read More

Thousands testify at legislature public hearing for agriculture overtime bill

By Johanna Bejarano February 20, 2023

Farmers, workers and advocates testified on the proposed bill 5476 in Olympia. Credit: Scheen capture from TVW.org. Listen (Runtime 1:12) Read Thousands of farmworkers, advocates and farmers testified at the […]Read More

Growers look for seasonal exemptions to overtime pay

By Johanna Bejarano February 3, 2023

Only a year after a Washington law gave farmworkers the right to earn overtime, state lawmakers are discussing the issue again. If Washington lawmakers pass Senate Bill 5476 and House Bill 1523, agricultural employers could choose 12 weeks each year when farmworkers could work up to 50 hours without getting paid overtime wages.Read More

Defensor de trabajadores agrícolas de Washington presiona por la justicia climática en la COP27

By Johanna Bejarano November 16, 2022

El líder de los trabajadores agrícolas Edgar Franks durante la COP27. Crédito: Familias Unidas por la Justicia. Lea Los trabajadores agrícolas están presionando por la justicia climática en Washington y […]Read More

Washington farmworker advocate pushes for climate justice at COP27

By Johanna Bejarano November 15, 2022

Farmworker leader Edgar Franks during at COP27. Credit: Familias Unidas por la Justicia Listen (Runtime 1:09) Read Agricultural workers are pushing for climate justice in Washington and are now taking […]Read More

StoryCorps Northwest – Maria Luz Oppen & Harriet Weber: From Mexico to the Quincy Valley

By Connor Henricksen November 2, 2022

Maria Luz Oppen, right, and Harriet Weber at their StoryCorps Northwest recording. Listen (Runtime 4:27) Read Moving 400 miles isn’t easy. Now, imagine it was on horseback and by foot. […]Read More

Farmworkers Ask For Wildfires Rules Enforcement

By Johanna Bejarano September 23, 2022

Images recorded by Skagit County farmworkers who worked amidst the smoke in recent weeks. From Community to Community. Listen (Runtime 2:09) Read The emergency rules protecting outdoor workers from wildfire […]Read More

Trabajadores agrícolas piden que se declare emergencia climática en Washington

By Johanna Bejarano August 31, 2022

Trabajadores agrícolas y defensores del medioambiente pidieron al gobernador de Washington, Jay Inslee, que declare una emergencia climática en el estado.Read More

Farmworkers Call For Climate Emergency Declaration in Washington

By Johanna Bejarano August 31, 2022

Farmworkers and environmental justice advocates want Washington Governor Jay Inslee to declare a climate emergency in the state.Read More

¿Se está protegiendo a los trabajadores agrícolas del calor? Esto es lo que ellos dicen

By Johanna Bejarano August 22, 2022

El calor puede afectar gravemente a quienes trabajan al aire libre. Por el peligro que supone trabajar con calor extremo, el Departamento de Trabajo e Industrias de Washington, (L&I, por sus siglas en inglés), está elaborando normas permanentes para proteger a estos trabajadores. Por el momento, hay normas de emergencia en vigor hasta septiembre. Sin embargo, los Read More

Are Farmworkers Being Protected From The Heat? Here Is What They Say

By Johanna Bejarano August 22, 2022

Grape crop. Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash. Listen (Runtime 3:49) Read Heat can severely affect outdoor workers. Because of the danger of working in extreme heat, the Washington Department […]Read More

Farmworkers To Receive Heat Stress Kits

By Johanna Bejarano June 8, 2022

Poster about heat related illness. Credit: www.weather.gov. Listen NWPB’s Johanna Bejarano reports on heat prevention (Runtime 0:52) Read High temperatures are expected across the country but not as severe in […]Read More

Farmworkers’ March Returns To Skagit County

By Johanna Bejarano May 4, 2022

Farmworkers' March Returns To Skagit CountyRead More

For 15 Years, Bandanas Raises Awareness About Sexual Violence Against Farmworkers

By Johanna Bejarano April 6, 2022

Women from Washington and across the country join the Bandana Project during Farmworker's Awareness Week and keep raising consciousness on Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The art-activism initiative celebrates its 15th year of calling attention to the sexual violence against farmworkers.Read More

Con pañuelos sensibilizan sobre violencia sexual contra trabajadores agrícolas

By Johanna Bejarano April 6, 2022

Mujeres de Washington y de todo el país se unen al Proyecto Bandana durante la Semana Nacional de Concientización de los Trabajadores Agrícolas y al Mes de Concientización sobre la Agresión Sexual (SAAM, por sus siglas en inglés). La iniciativa de arte-activismo celebra sus 15 años llamando la atención sobre la violencia sexual contra los trabajadores del campo.Read More

Tras sindicalizarse, trabajadores del tulipán de Washington llegan a acuerdo laboral

By Johanna Bejarano April 1, 2022

Trabajadores en Huelga en Mount Vernon,WA

Tras varios días de huelga y negociaciones, los trabajadores del tulipán del condado de Skagit llegaron a un acuerdo con Washington Bulb. Cortesía Edgar Franks/Familias Unidas por la Justicia Read […]Read More

Experts And Advocates Seek More Protections For Farmworkers

By Lauren Gallup October 29, 2021

A group of labor organizations, farmworker advocates and health experts are sending a letter to the Governors of Washington, Oregon and California with their recommendations on permanent rulemaking for heat and smoke protections for farmworkers.Read More

New App Helps Farmworkers Understand The Pesticides They Work With

By NWPB News October 28, 2021

There’s a new tool to prevent pesticide exposure and illness among Latinx farmworkers. The University of Washington created the app, “Pesticide Labels, Now!’ to address language barriers on technical labels written in English.Read More

Washington Farmworkers May Get More Protection From Hot And Smoky Conditions

By Lauren Gallup October 25, 2021

Over the past year, wildfire smoke has made the air quality in the Yakima Valley, Eastern Washington and parts of Oregon some of the worst in the country, and even in the world. When the air quality is bad, experts recommend people stay indoors, but that isn’t an option for outdoor laborers, like farmworkers.Read More

Washington And Oregon Strengthen Protections For Ag Workers Following Deadly Heat Wave

By NWPB News July 9, 2021

Pedro Lucas, center, nephew of farm worker Sebastian Francisco Perez who died last weekend while working in an extreme heat wave, talks about his uncle's death on near St. Paul, Ore., during a record-breaking heat wave. CREDIT: Nathan Howard

Washington on Friday became the second state in the Pacific Northwest in as many days to announce emergency rules that provide farmworkers and others who work outdoors more protection from hot weather in the wake of an extreme heat wave that is believed to have killed hundreds of people.Read More

Despite Cooling Centers, Hundreds Of People Suspected Dead In Northwest Heat Wave

By NWPB News July 1, 2021

Salem Fire Department paramedics and employees of Falck Northwest ambulances respond to a heat exposure call during a heat wave, June 26, 2021, in Salem, Ore. CREDIT: Nathan Howard/AP

As forecasters warned of a record-breaking heat wave in the Pacific Northwest and western Canada last weekend, officials set up cooling centers, distributed water to the homeless and took other steps. Still, hundreds of people are believed to have died from Friday to Tuesday.Read More

Some Washington Agriculture Groups Upset With Governor Over Farmworker Rules

By NWPB News May 25, 2021

Farmworkers in Yakima’s fruit-packing industry walked off production lines in May and went on strike, demanding more protections against the coronavirus pandemic. Above, Emmanuel Anguiano-Mendoza (left) and Agustin López hold posters featuring David Cruz, a worker who died on May 30. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

Some top agriculture groups are upset with Washington Gov. Inslee because farm workers were not covered in last week’s announcement that fully vaccinated employees do not have to wear a mask or socially distance at work.Read More

It’s Complicated: Why Some Northwest Latinx Residents And Farmworkers Hesitate On COVID Vaccine

By Anna King April 23, 2021

Vanessa Delgado, of Irvine, Calif., recently got her COVID-19 vaccine. She also helped her farmworker father of Benton County, Wash., get his shot.

Across the Northwest, many Latinx families are facing similar barriers to getting vaccinated and other issues. Adding to the complexity is powerful misinformation on social media and by word-of-mouth, the recent health concerns over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and religious reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Read More

Washington Agriculture Industry Wants Farmworkers Prioritized For COVID-19 Vaccine

By NWPB News January 15, 2021

The agriculture industry is asking Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee to move migrant farmworkers and food factory workers closer to the front of the line for the coronavirus vaccine because they perform work that cannot be delayed or performed remotely.Read More

Central Washington Farms Fined For Violating COVID-19 Protections For Workers

By NWPB News November 13, 2020

Three Mid-Columbia farms are among those receiving the biggest fines in the state from the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries for serious violations of agriculture regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. More than 20 farms have been cited for inadequate COVID precautions, The Tri-City Herald reported.Read More

Washington Supreme Court Rules Farmworkers Are Eligible For Overtime Pay

By NWPB News November 6, 2020

Sarbanand Farms farmworkers demonstrate after coworker's death in August 2017.

A divided Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday the state’s dairy workers are entitled to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week, a decision expected to apply to the rest of the agriculture industry.Read More

Fire-Evacuated Farmworkers From Bridgeport Slept In A Brewster Park As The Pearl Hill Fire Burned

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa September 18, 2020

File photo. Brewster, in Okanogan County, shown here in 2013, is one of the primary areas of north-central Washington's tree-fruit industry -- for growing, packing and shipping. CREDIT: Jessica Robinson/N3

According to community members in Bridgeport and Brewster, and farmworkers who spoke on the condition of anonymity, orchard supervisors told workers they needed to evacuate with little to no warning. Workers said they were told to grab their documents and quickly board company buses. Then, they were taken to a city park in Brewster, across the Columbia River. Read More

Washington Plans To Distribute Hundreds Of Thousands Of Masks To Farmworkers As Smoke Persists

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa September 15, 2020

Workers in dust masks wash fresh red bell peppers in smoky conditions outside of Eltopia, Wash. Even with the masks, the smoke is still causing tight chests, itchy eyes and dry throats. CREDIT: ANNA KING/N3

Farmworkers continue to pick Washington apples in the height of the state's harvest – even as the sustained smoke makes it hazardous to be outside, especially while doing strenuous work or exercise.Read More

CDC Study Finds Latinx Employees Hit Disproportionately Hard By Workplace Outbreaks

By NPR News August 17, 2020

A COVID-19 test is collected in Salt Lake City, Utah. A federal study published Monday found that Hispanic and non-white workers make up a disproportionate share of COVID-19 cases associated with workplace outbreaks in Utah. CREDIT: Rick Bowmer/AP

A study out Monday found that Hispanic and nonwhite workers made up 73% of cases associated with workplace outbreaks in certain industries, despite representing 24% of the workforce in those sectors.Read More

Governor Visits Brewster As Farmworker COVID Cases Spike In Okanogan County

By Courtney Flatt August 13, 2020

Many of the county’s cases have spread in the small town of Brewster, where there is a large tree-fruit growing, packing and shipping industry. According to public health officials, there have been 885 positive cases in Okanogan County –– 518 in Brewster.Read More

Washington State To Create $40M Fund For Undocumented Workers Hurt By Pandemic

By NWPB News August 11, 2020

Undocumented workers who lost income because of the coronavirus pandemic, but were passed over for federal assistance, will finally be getting some help in Washington state, thanks to a new $40 million relief fund.Read More

Farmworker Safety Takes Center Stage In Race For Central Washington State House Seat

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa August 8, 2020

Eduardo Castañeda-Díaz, the Democratic challenger in the race for Washington state House in the 13th Legislative District, leads a march down Mattawa’s main street July 29, 2020. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

In the Columbia Basin, the Democratic challenger for Washington state’s 13th Legislative District house seat has focused his message on farmworker safety and called for the boycott of fruit. It’s quite a move for a candidate in a district where the economy is dominated by agriculture.Read More

Washington Farmworkers Ask State Supreme Court For Overtime Pay

By NWPB News August 2, 2020

Coronavirus cases in farm country have focused new attention on essential workers there, as well as the food supply chain. One issue is overtime. In most states, farm owners don't have to pay overtime to their employees. Now, a case before the Washington State Supreme Court could change that.Read More

Bunk Beds And Working Conditions For Washington H-2A Farmworkers Prompt Lawsuits

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa July 20, 2020

Stemilt Growers, based in Wenatchee, Wash., adopted a ladybug in its logos as part of a "Responsible Choice" campaign in 1989. Courtesy Stemilt Growers

In a lawsuit against fruit-growing giant Stemilt, workers say allegations stemmed from a change in production standards set forth in the company's guest worker contract. A separate case involved a challenge to Washington's rules on farmworker housing and sleeping quarters during the pandemic.Read More

During Pandemic, Yakima Farmworkers Kept Their Jobs, Raising Risk Of Infection

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa June 13, 2020

Yakima County has the most COVID-19 cases per capita among West Coast states. The largely Latinx agricultural workforce helped secure the backbone of the local economy.Read More

‘Are Their Apples Worth More Than Our Lives?’ Yakima Valley Fruit Workers Strike For Protections, Pay

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa May 21, 2020

Perla Torres, a fruit packer at Jack Frost Fruit, poses for a photograph wearing a mask she says she bought from a supervisor. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

So far this month, more than 400 Yakima Valley fruit packing workers have gone on strike, according to Familias Unidas Por La Justicia. The farmworker advocacy group, based in Skagit County, is helping these workers organize committees, negotiate with employers and seek legal advice. Read More

Immigrant Farmworkers Face Unique Challenges As Coronavirus Continues To Spread

By Monica Samayoa April 12, 2020

Migrant farmer Martin Zavala-Martinez prunes a pear tree at Avalon Orchards in Parkdale, Ore., Thursday, April 2, 2020. People needing H-2A work visas are facing delays at the U.S.-Mexico border due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

One of the most vulnerable groups currently working through the coronavirus pandemic is made up of immigrant farmworkers. As this population works through some of the unique challenges they face due to the coronavirus, one Tri-Cities radio station is trying to help.Read More

White House Seeks To Lower Foreign Guest Farmworker Pay To Help U.S. Farm Owners

By NPR News April 10, 2020

Farmworkers work at a winery in Clarksburg, Calif., on March 24. Farms continue to operate as essential businesses even as the coronavirus has hurt the agriculture industry. CREDIT: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is working with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to see how wage rates for immigrant farmworkers can be reduced. Critics say it will hurt all workers.Read More

Stumbling Toward Spring: Northwest Growers Scramble To Start During Coronavirus Crisis

By Anna King April 3, 2020

Freshly planted furrows span out across the Columbia Basin as farmers get ready for the coming season as worries of COVID-19 spread in central and eastern Washington.

Spring work starts up, ready or not. And Northwest growers are scrambling to figure out how to work around the global coronavirus pandemic and still bring in the coming harvest. Read More

‘Essential’ Status Means Jobs For Farmworkers, But Greater Virus Risk

By NPR News March 28, 2020

Farmworkers are still working during the coronavirus epidemic. They're essential. But they're also at greater risk of infection.Read More

President Signs USMCA, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Talk Working Conditions With Mexican Senators

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa January 29, 2020

From left, Mexican Sen. Israel Zamora, United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero and Sen. Bertha Alicia Caraveo hold a press conference Monday, Jan. 27, after meeting with dairy workers. They shared stories of poor working conditions on farms, including cases of wage theft, long work hours and sexual harassment. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

A delegation of Mexican government officials visited the Yakima Valley Monday to meet with dairy workers, most of whom are Mexican nationals. The group was looking to expand the role of the Mexican government in protecting the rights of workers.Read More