Farm labor unions could get a boost in membership with new union election rules they say will make it easier for farm workers to organize—approved by California Gov. Gavin Newsom last month—despite objections from the state’s agricultural industry. Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 113 into law May 15, making changes to the state’s Agricultural Labor…

Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) agree that the shortage of farm workers in the United States is approaching crisis levels. But they differ on how to address the problem as it relates to recent immigrants. Witnesses at a May 31 hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee said current immigration law leaves immigrants…

The Australian Worker’s Union (AWU) will appear before the Fair Work Commission today to push for a guaranteed minimum wage for fruit and vegetable pickers. At present, the minimum rate of pay for casual farm work is $25.41 per hour (US$19.02). However, the AWU says farms can “dodge” the minimum rate through piece-rate arrangements, where…