Salinas Agricultural Firm Paid $180,000 In Back Wages After Federal Probe

SALINAS - A Salinas-based agricultural firm had to pay $180,000 in back wages along with other penalties after an investigation revealed that it terminated workers wrongfully, U.S. Department of Labor officials said Monday.

Labor department officials said Foothill Packing Inc. violated certain provisions of the H-2A guest worker program when it terminated 18 workers who were U.S. citizens.

The company claimed the workers were let go after failing to meet production standards, but an investigation revealed they were regularly outperforming many of the foreign workers employed by the firm who had not been terminated, Department of Labor officials said.

"The H-2A visa program is explicit in stating that all jobs ... must be offered to U.S. citizens before an employer may receive authorization to hire foreign workers," Susana Blanco, a director at the labor agency's San Francisco office, said in a statement.

Aside from making an effort to hire U.S. citizens prior to foreign workers, employers cannot wrongfully discharge U.S. workers or provide any preferential treatment, according to the Department of Labor.

For its alleged violations, Foothill Packing paid $180,000 in back wages to the terminated workers as well as $55,000 in penalties, according to the department.

The company also agreed to measures ensuring future compliance with federal labor laws, including designating a staff member to report on the firm's observance of labor regulations and annual training for supervisors.

"We appreciate Foothill Packing cooperating with us," Blanco said.

-Bay City News, image via Loco Steve/Flickr