Trump Winery in Virginia seeks more foreign workers

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | March 20, 2017

[artichokegrower]

As President Donald Trump touts job creation for Americans as a top priority, his son's Virginia winery is seeking permission to hire foreign workers to cultivate its grapes.

[dragnet2]

The price of food is most interesting. I saw what appears to be a woman with small 3 kids small roll up to the supermarket cashier with a full cart. Her bill was something like $175.00. For a cart of food? It appeared to be the normal stuff some woman would buy for the family. I joked to her that she has some hungry kids...She said it'll would be gone in less than a week. The lines were huge and registers were smoking taking in all the cash, and this store is 24 hours open. 1 store.

So it begs the questioning, they're raking in huge amounts of cash for food, so why can't these growers simply pay a livable wage to legitimate citizens?

[ptsal]

I’d bet lunch that Nancy’s hubby hires a custom farming outfit to do the field work.

Nothing like putting a little “legal” distance between the property owner and the hired labor.

[artichokegrower]

$12.57 per hour tax free.

[AmusedBystander]

Foreign migrant workers have been a big part of American agriculture for a long time.

Unless you want a temporary job and live like a Gypsy you will not take these jobs.

In these kinds of jobs, I absolutely believe it is not possible to employ Americans on any kind of meaningful basis.

[dragnet2]

That’s right...wow...

[dragnet2]

Probably half the jobs in America are now part time.

[Organic Panic]

Exactly. H2As have been used for decades.

[artichokegrower]

My senior tractor driver is making $69,090.90 this year. Plus full medical plus, an HSA plus a 401K. How you doing?

[Moonman62]

I think you folks need to pay more for your vegetables.

...

Why?

[AmusedBystander]

Probably half the jobs in America are now part time.

True, but these jobs are temporary and not part time. Big difference.

[CaptainPhilFan]

Was delighted to see a bottle of Trump wine in the Roanoke Krogers the other other day, and to learn the grapes are harvested right here near the GW Forest. (Visiting family in VA).
Was not delighted with the $24 price, on sale from $26.
Now to learn they’re paying cheap foreign labor wages?
Why so ‘spensive?

[central_va]

Americans with the existing welfare system aren't going to come out to the farm and work.

That would depend on the wages being offered wouldn't it?

There is no justification to hire foreigners to do labor in the USA with 100 million out of the work force. this is corruption and it needs to stop.

[jiggyboy]

I’m ok with paying more for back-to-basics produce, flour, etc., especially if that means decent jobs for Americans. I know that the claims of lettuce going to five bucks a head and staying there are lies.

[central_va]

You wouldn’t hire an American even if one wanted a job. You wouldn’t go against the Mexican mafia. I hope you choke on your artichokes.

[jiggyboy]

Please. There’s two, maybe three levels between the field and the grocery cart. And a lot of it is union labor. In California, threats of strikes at Safeway used to be a regular thing.

Without the union labor, vegetables are 1/3 or 1/2 less at Chinese and Indian grocery stores.

[central_va]

These vineyard in Virginia don’t even advertise for workers. They got their Cheap Labor Express scheme and they are sticking to it.

[central_va]

The Cheap Labor Express depends on welfare to hold wages down. The tax payer is subsidizing Mr. Growers “cheap” labor.

[Dilbert San Diego]

I think we all need to know what the costs of running a farm are, including legitimate labor costs. Pricing for farm products should be in line with what it costs to produce the product for sale. I’m sure there are processing and marketing costs too. All costs of a product should be reflected in price paid by the consumer.

[central_va]

In these kinds of jobs, I absolutely believe it is not possible to employ Americans on any kind of meaningful basis. ,Oh Bull Sh!t. Central Va is full of American colleges and high schools with kids willing to work for $20.00/hr.

[DoodleDawg]

Why so ‘spensive?

You're paying for the Trump name.