Posted January 26, 2015
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is dropping a lawsuit against two Oregon blueberry growers accused of “hot goods” labor law violations, according to a Capital Press article available here. The Register Guard also published an article available hereand Seattle Pi here.
The two blueberry growers are Pan-American Berry Growers and B&G Ditchen.
In 2012, the DOL threatened to stop the shipment of perishable berries as unlawfully harvested “hot goods” unless the growers agreed to pay $220,000 in back wages and penalties, according to The Register Guard.
The farmers complied, but then turned to the federal courts where a judge ruled that the growers were acting under duress to save their crops. The agency then said it would appeal and sought additional charges against the growers.
Under the signed agreements, the workers get to keep $73,500 that was distributed as underpayments, but the farms will receive payments almost equal payments and also will receive $30,000 each.
The lawyer for both growers, Tim Bernasek, said that they are relieved the dispute has ended and they’re satisfied with the settlement, according to Seattle Pi.
“They are very appreciative of the support the industry has given them,” said Bernasek.
For more information, a previous blog post on the lawsuit is available here.
For more information on labor law issues, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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