YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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Government Relations Report —
Positive Outcomes with State Legislation
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CARD CHECK VETOED BY NEWSOM
Gov. Newsom this week vetoed AB 616 (Stone, D-Santa Cruz), which would have given labor unions total control over the process by which ag employees choose whether to join a union. In past years, similar legislation was also vetoed by Govs. Brown and Schwarzenegger. Thank you to CAWG members who emailed Newsom asking for a veto. Your voices were heard.
In his veto, Newsom stated, “This bill contains various inconsistencies and procedural issues related to the collection and review of ballot cards. Significant changes to California's well-defined agricultural labor laws must be carefully crafted to ensure that both agricultural workers' intent to be represented and the right to collectively bargain is protected, and the state can faithfully enforce those fundamental rights.”
In vetoing AB 616, Newsom directed the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to work collaboratively with the Agricultural Labor Relations Board and all relevant stakeholders to develop new policies for legislative consideration to address this issue.
CAWG will be a part of that effort and will work to assure that such future legislation represents an authentic collaborative approach of all stakeholders.
WINE GROWLER BILL APPROVED BY NEWSOM
A commonsense bill by freshman Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) was signed into law this week. AB 239 allows consumer-owned wine bottles to be refilled at winery tasting rooms. Under existing law, a winery tasting room can fill bottles they own, but they cannot fill consumer-supplied containers. This bill removes that prohibition.
“Taking this next step will help to expand business opportunities for family wineries, reduce consumer waste, and bring parity to our marketplace,” Villapudua said. “While existing law allows for breweries to sell their product in this manner, it’s time we offer the same opportunity to the winegrowers of California.”
AB 239 was sponsored by Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association and supported by CAWG, Wine Institute and several regional winery and winegrower associations. This new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.
ARTICLE
Comprehensive Q&A article explores many aspects of unions in California: Declining membership, adaptation in changing workplaces, recent labor victories/setbacks, wages, pandemic issues, industries represented by unions, union spending and more.
Cal Matters, Sept. 23
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House Passes Continuing Resolution; $10B for Ag Disaster Assistance |
The House on Tuesday voted 220-211 to pass the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5305), which includes relief funding for wildfires, droughts and other natural disasters. H.R. 5305 includes Rep. Mike Thompson’s (D-St. Helena) legislation to reauthorize and fund the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2020 and 2021 natural disasters.
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Unified is Back In Person! Registration and Housing Open Oct. 19 |
Jan. 25-27, 2022 (exhibits Jan. 26-27)
Convention Center, Sacramento
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SVB Annual State of the Wine Industry Survey |
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) is asking for people in the wine industry to spread the word and participate in its annual survey, which will be open Sept. 27 to Oct. 15. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. SVB conducts the survey to provide industry metrics, status updates and trends in the wine industry. All respondents who fully complete and submit the survey online will receive gratis survey results to include anonymized detailed responses, summary analysis and more than 50 charts which can be used by wineries to benchmark their own performance.
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Leadership Change at Vineyard Team |
Kris Beal is retiring as Vineyard Team’s executive director on Dec. 31, after leading the organization for more than 22 years. Beth Vukmanic, SIP Certified program director since 2009, will assume the position on Jan. 1, 2022. In a letter posted on the Vineyard Team website, Beal wrote she started in 1998 with no logo, office, staff or programs. Vukmanic said Beal has been an "amazing leader and advocate for sustainable agriculture."
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Free Webinar — Resources for Employers: COVID-19 Updates & Vaccination Access |
WHEN: Sept. 28 / 9-10 a.m.
HOST: California Farm Labor Contractor Association
SPEAKERS: Representatives from California Farmworker Foundation and Fresno County Department of Public Health
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Please Vote! Ballots Due Sept. 30 |
Ballots must be postmarked or received in the CAWG office by Thursday, Sept. 30. CAWG grower members: if you did not receive your official 2021 ballot by mail, please email natalie@cawg.org. Members will only receive a ballot for vacancies in their district.
CAWG District 1 – Three vacancies. Nominees:
- Dave Michul, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Rutherford (seeking election for a first term).
- Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko, Yount Mill Vineyards, Oakville (seeking reelection for a third term).
- Duff Bevill, Bevill Vineyard Management, Healdsburg (seeking reelection for a second term).
CAWG District 2 – Three vacancies. Nominees:
- Marshall Miller, The Thornhill Companies, Santa Barbara (seeking reelection for a second term).
- Greg Gonzalez, Foley Family Farms, Los Olivos (seeking reelection for a second term).
- Molly Scott, Justin Vineyards, Paso Robles (seeking election for a first term).
CAWG District 3 – Two vacancies. Nominees:
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Aaron P. Lange, LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, Lodi (returning to the board / seeking election to a first term).
- Ron Lanza, Wooden Valley Winery & Lanza Vineyards, Fairfield (seeking election to a first term).
CAWG District 6 – One vacancy. Nominee:
- Jeff Wiens, Wiens Family Cellars, LLC, Temecula (seeking reelection for a second term).
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Buy a Raffle Ticket to Support the CAWG Foundation! |
Please support our wonderful CAWG Foundation: Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win an awesome John Deere 4x4 Gator!
The drawing will be held on Nov. 11 at the CAWG board dinner. To purchase a ticket ($100 each), please email Carolee at carolee@cawg.org. Thank you to all of our sponsors and those who purchase tickets!
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With over 30 harvests, the G3 Ag Team has deep experience in winegrape hauling. Our operational expertise and agile planning combine to provide responsive service for wineries and grape growers large and small. Click on image or here to view video.
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Drought planning for water year 2022 is “starting right now.” This is the takeaway from a marathon two-day session this week of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). “‘Sobering’ is the best word if we have another dry year,” SWRCB Chair Joaquin Esquivel said at the end of a drought update. >WATCH VIDEO
Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth and Bureau of Reclamation Regional Director Ernest Conant briefed the SWRCB on initiating priority actions. “Plan on zero allocations again,” Nemeth said, and “a zero water transfer scenario to urban users.”
She cited record low storage in the three major reservoirs (Shasta, Oroville, Folsom) as the major driver. “We are planning for the worst and hoping for the best,” Nemeth said, stating the human right to water is the primary consideration and water rights will be protected.
As datasets from historic hydrologies are no longer definitive, Nemeth said DWR is assuming the worst and anticipating zero or minimal rainfall through December. Consequently, DWR's carryover target of 2 million acre-feet of water may not be met.
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Drought and Reservoir Conditions |
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Articles & Resources
Public Policy Institute of California
Sept. 30 / 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cal Matters, Sept. 21
EPA administrator expects new WOTUS proposal sometime this winter. He recently spoke at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture conference.
Progressive Farmer, Sept. 20
Western Growers, Sept. 20
The focus of this review is California.
California Water Blog, Sept. 19
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Updated Fire and Smoke Map |
The U.S. Forest Service and AirNow have updated the online Fire and Smoke Map with enhanced features: detailed air quality readings (more localized), information on fires, smoke plume locations and safety measures. On the top right of the webpage is a FAQ button with information on how to use the map.
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LA Times, Sept. 21
Press release, Sept. 20
Fire maps, details, resources and evacuation orders.
Updates and maps about impacted areas.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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Interagency Effort to Protect Ag, Other Workers from Extreme Heat |
To combat the hazards associated with extreme indoor and outdoor heat exposure, the White House this week announced new federal efforts to address heat-related illnesses. With a “whole of government approach” USDA, U.S. EPA, Department of Labor and other agencies are announcing actions that will reduce heat-related illness, protect public health and support the economy. California already has regulations in place requiring employers to protect employees from extreme outdoor heat.
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Cal/OSHA Training Academy: Offers online training courses, guidance documents, videos and other helpful resources on occupational safety and health topics – wildfire smoke, respiratory protection, COVID-19 and more. Employers may incorporate these resources into safety programs. >WEBSITE
Worker Safety & Health in Wildfire Regions webpage: On Sept. 22, the agency updated its list of vendors who report available supplies of N95 disposable respirators. Numerous other resources are available. >WEBSITE
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September
NASDA members adopted policy to support amending the H-2A and H-2B visa programs to include year-round workers for the ag and forestry industries.
Press release, Sept. 22
Vino farms plans to certify 40 acres.
Wine Business, Sept. 20
Journal of Economic Entomology, Sept. 13
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OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
11 / CAWG Board of Directors Meeting & Outgoing Chair Dinner, Santa Barbara
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