AGRICULTURAL PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
NEWSLETTER

Observing the ALRA in 1997

Recent events have again put a national spotlight on relations between agricultural managers and hired production workers. Often neglected by news media and the general public are the many laws that have been put in place to guide terms of employment and labor relations. Business operators and employees may themselves be unfamiliar with important elements of the legal structure regulating their interaction.

Agricultural employment is not covered by the National Labor Relations Act, which since 1935 has defined and enforced certain rights for workers in most other industries. But in 1975, with the intent of ensuring peace in the fields and improving stability in labor relations, the state of California enacted a law that established means to protect similar rights specifically for farm workers.

The California Agricultural Labor Relations Act spells out a method by which workers can elect a bargaining agent or choose to not be represented. In addition, it prohibits both employers and unions from committing unfair practices which may deter workers from exercising their rights.

The Seminar... is intended to broaden and enhance understanding of ALRA among all those to whom it pertains, including growers, farm labor contractors, field supervisors, human resource managers and development professionals, employee representatives, attorneys, and other service providers.

The seminar will run from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 1997. While most of the day will be devoted to examining provisions of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, other parts of the regulatory structure surrounding farm employment will also be considered in relation to the ALRA. A closing session will focus on recent changes in these other laws.

• Introduction to the ALRA.
• Trends in Activity under the Act
• Nuts and Bolts: Basic Provisions and Procedures
• Organizing Steps and Representation Elections: Definition of the bargaining unit; Employer communication with the workforce; Election timing and conduct; Results and challenges; Decertifications
• The Bargaining Process: Mandatory, permissible, and prohibited subjects; Standards of good faith
• Unfair Labor Practices: Prohibitions for employers and for unions; Protected concerted activity; Filings, investigations, and hearings; Decisions by the Board
• Learning from Past, Present, and Future Cases
• Issues and Concerns: Roles of FLCs and Custom Harvesters; Determination of peak employment; Eligibility to vote; Successorship; Make-whole remedies
• Update on Other Employment Law: Joint Employment under MSPA; Harassment and unlawful discrimination; Wage and hour rules; Wrongful termination
• Answers to Your Questions
• Concluding Remarks

Participation is limited to 160. Early registration is advised. Registration at the door will be on a space-available basis. Fee: $10. This charge covers the day's program, handouts and resource materials, a hot lunch, and refreshments.

Registration Procedure. Please complete the Seminar Registration Form and bring or mail it with a check for the registration fee, payable to "UC Regents," to ALRA Conference, UCCE Monterey Office, 1432 Abbot Street, Salinas, CA 93901. Commitments will also be accepted by FAX (408/758-3018). For more information, please phone 408/759-7350.