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Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4990
 | | 03/17/2008 2:18 PM |
| The Federal Register of the United States has a new proposal from the Department of Labor that will affect Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A workers in the US.... This proposal is meant to protect the jobs and wages of United States workers in a variety of ways... specifically, making it easier for employers to apply for the H-2A permits, for now the system is apparently plagued with issues employers don't want to deal with, and also will employ stricter guidelines of paying these H-2A workers so the wages of United States workers aren't affected. Is this something that will affect the wine industry? I'm curious to know the percentage of temporary workers from outside the US (legal or not) versus US workers already in the US, that are hired throughout the season to pick the wine grapes... all of which happens within just a couple of months. Specific to the wine industry, I'm also curious about what an insider would say. Is this undocumented worker issue a problem? Or are Vineyard owners and managers (and those in their legal employ) upset with the issue, or really, just thankful that people are there, whoever they are, to get the job done? If you want to read for a couple of hours, the proposal is here. | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
| DukeRiley
McMinnville, OR
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2000
| | 03/18/2008 11:41 AM |
| Here in Oregon there doesn't seem to be any kind of shortage of workers, although one usually has to schedule picking at least a day ahead. At Brick House Doug uses a vineyard management company because of the issues of illegal immigration (Doug used to get a lot of fake SS cards that he would find out about after the fact) and efficiency (a vineyard management company can keep fewer people busy full time across a number of vineyards, which Doug couldn't do). Until 2008, Oregon would issue drivers licenses to illegals, so it was a popular place to be. With that changing, things could be different next fall.
In the winery during harvest there are always a number of southern hemisphere folks (European too) working - sorting, racking, etc. I'm not sure if they come as temporary workers or as tourists (and work undocumented).
Our daughter is in New Zealand right now working harvest, and they do have strong temporary work rules there (easier to protect your borders when you're surrounded by water). She had to show that she had experience in wine-making in order to get a work permit. | |
Heater Allen Brewing
www.heaterallen.com | |
| Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4990
| | 03/22/2008 1:41 PM |
| Scheduling one day in advance doesn't seem bad at all.. I seem to recall many threads here in which people gave picking predications of at least a few days. Perhaps I'm wrong?
How is your daughter enjoying the harvest in New Zealand? What a great trip that must be... | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
| DukeRiley
McMinnville, OR
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2000
| | 03/22/2008 2:38 PM |
| Brad,
Given the vagaries of our weather, I'm sure that there are times when wine makers wish that pickers would instantly appear...
Our daughter Lisa is enjoying her experience very much. She is working for a large custom crush facility called Indevin - quite a bit of a different experience than working at a 3,000 case/year winery here in Oregon! She is meeting people from all over the world. So far she's mentioned Spain, France, Argentina, and Germany as the homes of other workers. I think the only American she is working with is from Napa. Harvest just started in the last week there, so we haven't heard much yet. If she passes on any interesting information I'll share it with the Board.
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Heater Allen Brewing
www.heaterallen.com | |
| love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts:12497
| | 03/23/2008 10:54 AM |
| Just in general, NZ & Aussie land are very strict when it comes to immigration & moving for job-related reasons. I looked into moving to Sydney. One has to qualify, there is a test. And, of course, it a need is large (i.e. IT). Still, they are very picky & strict. Or, if you can provide docs that you have (if I remember correctly) over $250,000 in cash (as for investment/bus type of deal, etc...).
I remember when we traveled to NZ, Australia, Fiji for a vacation we had to provide a lot of docs & our police records. Including, copy of a dated ticket back to US.
Obviously, I never made the move (for many reasons), but we scored a 98 out of 100. Sydney is very expensive anyway. I may want to retire there or something like that. It is just so damn far (from here, from everywhere save Asia). But, that is why Australians say, "our land is unspoiled, & we like to keep it that way."
Lovely country, just lovely. People are lovely, just lovely. NZ is a just a bit too "laid back" for me. Considering I am used to the NYC Metro-area for the last 30 years. But, Sydney is a happening city, lots to do, to see (i.e. a mini NYC), & The Opera House is 2nd to only the Lincoln Center in performances/events.
If moving from the good ol' USofA, Sydney is the only place I would consider. | | | |
| love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts:12497
| | 03/23/2008 11:06 AM |
| DukeRiley: you got that right. I remember a news story about 2,3, or 4 years ago or so. There was a boat of people from 1 of those neighboring countries or islands wanting to enter Aussie &/or NZ. Both NZ & Australia said, "no way jose". The UN & all those groups started yelling, "this is not right, inhuman, etc..."
Both said, this is our country(ies), no one will tell us how to run it, what to do, who to take in...
I think they both or either of the 2 countries gave money to set those people up elsewhere (some near by islands). | | | |
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