YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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Government Relations Report |
CARD CHECK LEGISLATION APPROVED BY SENATE
The California Senate today took up and passed AB 616 (Stone, D-Carmel). In support of the bill, some senators argued AB 616 simply created an easier system of voting, whereby ag employees could vote by mail to join a union.
In opposition, other senators argued AB 616 could allow unions to control and corrupt that vote. Sen. Glazer (D-Orinda) made the most straightforward case in opposition by asking those in favor whether they would support AB 616 if it gave employers the same power the bill gives to unions.
Ultimately, the bill passed by a mostly partisan vote with Democrats Glazer, Dodd (Napa), Caballero (Salinas), Hurtado (Sanger), Newman (Orange County) and Wieckowski (Livermore) refusing to support the bill.
The bill is soon headed to Gov. Newsom for his consideration. Govs. Brown and Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation. CAWG will also work for a veto on AB 616.
Thank you to all those who reached out to your senator asking for a no vote on AB 616. The Senate vote may help make the case to Newsom that this bill is not what is presented to be and deserves a veto.
GUEST COMMENTARY ON “BADLY-FLAWED” AB 616
William Gould – professor emeritus of Stanford Law School and former chair of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board and National Labor Relations Board – wrote a guest commentary for Cal Matters arguing the “badly-flawed” AB 616 could deprive California farmworkers of many of their rights in choosing whether to form or join a union.
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California Family Rights Act Expansion: Are You Covered? |
SB 1383 (Jackson) was passed by the California Legislature in 2020 and became effective on Jan. 1, 2021. The bill extends coverage under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) from employers of 50 or more employees to include employers of five or more employees.
ABOUT: Erica Rosasco of McKague Rosasco will present a briefing on CFRA and its requirements for employers to learn more about CFRA and what it requires you to do.
WHEN: Aug. 27 / 10 a.m.
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USDA Updates Pandemic Assistance for Specialty Crop Growers |
After listening to feedback and concerns from producers and stakeholders about the gaps in pandemic assistance, USDA is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for producers of specialty crops (including winegrapes). CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.
Oct. 12 is the deadline for all eligible producers to apply for or modify applications for CFAP 2.
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TTB to Modify AVA Boundaries in Monterey County |
Effective Sept. 24, the boundaries of two AVAs in Monterey County will be modified. The modifications include removing approximately 376 acres from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, and removing 148 acres from the Arroyo Seco AVA and placing them entirely within the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Both AVAs are located entirely within the existing Monterey and Central Coast AVAs.
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White House Reviewing H-2A Wage Rule |
Bloomberg Law this week reported the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed rule that would readjust how wages are calculated for temporary H-2A farmworkers is under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget. DOL is seeking to amend its regulations to revise the methodology by which it determines the adverse effect wage rates (AEWRs) for non-range ag occupations.
According to the Bloomberg article, President Biden made AEWR methodology a priority in the DOL’s spring regulatory agenda. The White House OMB can take up to 90 days to review it. The Trump administration sought to revise the AEWR methodology, but that effort was halted at the start of the Biden administration.
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New COVID Legislation: Vaccine Requirements and Paid Sick Leave |
AB 455 (Wicks, D-Oakland) may soon be stripped of its current content and amended to place new requirements on California businesses relative to COVID-19 (CAWG staff members have seen the amendments that are pending.) Broadly speaking, when amended, the bill may propose the following:
- Provide that employers must require their employees be vaccinated.
- Require employers to provide up to 24 hours (three full-time days) of paid leave for unvaccinated employees to get vaccinated.
- Extend the law providing two weeks of paid sick leave for employees who have contracted COVID-19, which is set to expire on Sept. 30.
- Provide that certain business establishments must require their customers be vaccinated.
California’s vaccination rate is currently at 65.8% fully vaccinated and 10.3% partially vaccinated. AB 455 would mandate California businesses require their customers and employees be vaccinated.
While this may seem to be a distinction without a difference, the potential liability for employers is significant. Additionally, this approach means employers would bear the costs of getting unvaccinated employees vaccinated. Many stakeholders agree that increasing the vaccination rates is important to California’s public health. However, this approach begs the question of why California’s business community should bear the costs of accomplishing this important public health goal.
Stay tuned...as the Legislature would need to act on AB 455 by Sept. 10 when it adjourns for the year.
Modesto Bee, Aug. 26
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Cal/OSHA Encourages Workers to Wear Masks Indoors |
Citing rising COVID-19 cases in the state, Cal/OSHA is urging employers and employees to wear face coverings indoors, regardless of vaccination status. This is not a mandate, but Cal/OSHA officials are advocating the updated recommendations from California Department of Public Health.
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Resources & Articles
Obtain a QR code and digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record.
Daily updates on COVID-19 stats and facts for California.
Links to resources.
Sacramento Bee, Aug. 23
Politico today reported Assemblymember Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach) also tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated.
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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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California Wildfire Response |
PRESIDENTIAL MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION
The White House has approved California’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration to strengthen the ongoing emergency response to wildfires and support impacted communities in Lassen, Nevada, Placer and Plumas counties. The approved request is for the Dixie and River fires; the Caldor Fire and other fires may be included once fire conditions allow state, local and federal officials to safely assess the scope of damage.
EXECUTIVE ORDER ON WILDFIRE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY
Gov. Newsom on Aug. 20 signed an executive order to support communities impacted by recent wildfires and bolster response and recovery efforts – specifically, debris removal, hazardous waste, price gouging and adequate staffing for fire response.
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PG&E Weather Stations in High Fire-Threat Areas |
PG&E announced it has installed more than 200 new weather stations this year, and expects to install a total of 1,300 by the end of 2021. The weather stations, placed mostly across high fire-threat areas in Northern and Central California, are expected to help prepare for severe weather and public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events.
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For wine and winegrapes (from Wine Institute).
Fire maps, details, resources and evacuation orders.
Updates and maps about impacted areas.
Capital Public Radio, Aug. 26
KCRA, Aug. 25
Inside Climate News, Aug. 22
WSU Insider, Aug. 16
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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Aug. 31 Webinar on Delta Curtailment Compliance
This two-part webinar will provide an overview of recent curtailment and reporting orders issued in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) watershed and guidance to diverters who are responsible for curtailing diversions, submitting certifications and/or other reporting pursuant to curtailment and reporting orders. Morning session: Curtailment and Certification of Compliance Overview. Afternoon session: Enhanced Reporting Requirements.
WHEN: Aug. 31 / 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–4 p.m.
HOST: State Water Resources Control Board
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Drought and Reservoir Conditions |
Statistics (current conditions vs. this time last year)
California Water Blog, Aug. 22
Ag Alert, Aug. 18
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Kings County
The value of winegrapes was $16.95 million in 2020, down slightly from $16.97 million in 2019. Production in 2020 was 3,591 acres, 59,072 tons and $287 per ton. Production in 2019 was 3,671 acres, 63,068 tons and $269 per ton.
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Farm Progress, Aug. 25
A new study – Temperature, Workplace Safety and Labor Market Inequality – found California workplace injuries and accidents increased by as much as 9% on days in the 90s and as much as 15% on days in the 100s. (link to study)
IZA Institute, Aug. 20
California is seen as a nationwide leader in hot weather protections, but its workers are still getting sick and dying from heat. Experts and insiders say climate change and a dysfunctional Cal/OSHA are to blame.
Capital Pubic Radio, Aug. 17
Genetic Literacy Project, Aug. 12
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SEPTEMBER
10 / Nominations due for CAWG Grower & Leader of the Year — details
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