Trenton Nuckolls said: We have used this program for almost 8 years now it is a great benefit to us. For some reason where we are we can not find local workers to fill these spots on our crew. Honestly they just don't want to do manual labor. We have a 36 hole facility we have 11 full time year round workers and 13 H2B seasonal workers. The 2 most important things to us is that the H2B workers show up for work everyday that that are here and we do not have to lay off locals in the winter. The wage rule is strictly coming from the Department of Labor "just because they think they can" These workers do pay federal, state, and social security taxes. The DOL is just trying to kill the program without realizing that the government has made it to where no one really has to work anymore so they would rather sit at home and collect a check than to work on a golf course when its 100+ degrees outside. This program is a life saver to us! WE use an agency to help with our paperwork to process our H2B employees they in no way profit from the wages that the H2B workers make in fact they help us to fight back about the wage increase. Our biggest grip is how can they dictate to us what we have to pay these workers when we don't even have to pay American workers as much as they make. Fed min wage is $7.50, we pay H2B workers $8.36, the DOL is now saying that we have to pay them $10.81 per hour because that is the average wage paid in our area. There is absolutely no way that is accurate and from the few responses I have gotten I don't believe that there are many golf course crews members out there that make $10.81. Mel I hope that I answered most of your questions.
Thanks Trent for the information, I would like to know is the DOL saying that is the average wage per hour for that type of work? Sounds similar to the prevalling wage that is written into most contracts when doing work for government indenties. I don't always agree with that (despite my liberal leanings) because then we could save money on infrastructure spending, but I also understand not wanting unqualified employees doing work on my behalf.
Also why would the DOL care? Why don't they start demanding raising the minimum wage too? Do they want a better wage paid since these employees would not recieve any type of asstenance? Is the DOL trying to discourage H2B workers and maybe wanting jobs opening up to all those on unemployment? Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
I do think the biggest reason though to not allow the DOL to raise wages in the middle of a season, (well for the golf course industry anyway) is golf courses have already budgeted the original wage for the season, and to force a change in mid season just makes it hard on the indivdual golf courses. I think that is what I will say in my action letter.
Thanks again, would be interested to see this debated more, maybe in the 19th hole?
Mel