Yakima, Washington — The state’s attorney general has taken legal action against a local farm, alleging improper practices surrounding the employment of foreign workers. AG Nick Brown filed a civil rights lawsuit on Friday against Cornerstone Ranches, claiming that the farm dismissed American workers to replace them with H-2A visa employees.
The H-2A visa program permits foreign nationals to work temporarily in the U.S. in agricultural roles, but only when employers provide evidence of a labor shortage among local workers. According to Brown, Cornerstone Ranches misused this program by misleading local job seekers about available positions, which he argues is a violation of the state’s Consumer Protection Act.
Brown claims the Toppenish-based farm informed prospective local employees that no openings existed while simultaneously hiring foreign workers. This practice, he asserts, undermines the original intent of the H-2A program, which is designed to assist farms only when there are insufficient American laborers available.
Data from the Washington State Office of the Attorney General reveals a significant decline in local employment at Cornerstone Ranches. While 91% of the workforce during the 2021 fall harvest was comprised of local employees, that figure plummeted to 59% within two years. During the same period, the proportion of foreign workers more than doubled.
Additionally, the lawsuit highlights concerns regarding the treatment of female workers at the farm. Brown’s office stated that local women faced “unfair productivity standards” not imposed on their H-2A counterparts. This disparity is further illustrated by a 39% reduction in average weekly hours worked by female employees from June 2022 to April 2023, compared to the same timeframe the previous year.
The attorney general asserts that these practices likely violate the Washington Law Against Discrimination, which is designed to protect workers from unequal treatment based on gender.
As the controversy unfolds, calls for accountability have emerged. Cornerstone Ranches has not yet responded to inquiries for comments regarding the allegations made in the lawsuit.
This unfolding legal matter underscores ongoing tensions in the agricultural labor market, highlighting critical issues regarding the employment of foreign workers and its impact on local communities.
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