FLOC lawsuit helps boost workers' minimum wage

8/1/2001
FROM BLADE STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

The Bush administration has agreed to raise the minimum wage for agricultural workers from Mexico and other foreign nations after the Toledo-based Farm Labor Organizing and another union filed a lawsuit demanding the action.

The new rate for foreign guest workers will vary from state to state, but was increased about 50 cents to $8.09 an hour in Ohio, according to FLOC. The Labor Department is required to raise the rate annually to ensure that foreign workers don't undercut U.S. wage standards.

FLOC and the California-based United Farm Workers of America, which represent 34,000 agricultural workers, filed suit in Washington last month after the Labor Department failed to increase the rate in February as usual.

They will continue the lawsuit in an effort to get the government to agree not to delay the announcement next year.