Correction to H-2A Wage Rate

Correction to H-2A Wage Rate

(May 1, 2013) The Department of Labor (DOL) in March issued a notice to correct a previous announcement of prevailing wage rates covering the employment of H-2A workers and certain domestic workers engaged in open-range production of livestock in Texas, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma. In addition, it rescinded the wage determinations listed in the Jan. 8 Federal Register notice covering the employment of H-2A workers and certain domestic workers engaged in sheepherding and goatherding occupations in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

On Jan. 8, the DOL published the special procedures wages, which included wages for open range production of livestock, itinerant animal shearing, sheepherding, goatherding and custom combine operations, with an immediate effective date. Because some wage findings were reported in error, this notice clarifies the information. 

The prevailing wage rate for open range production of livestock operations in Colorado, Utah, Texas, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma is $875 per month plus room and board.

Also in this correction notice, the DOL rescinded the Jan. 8 notice for sheepherding and goatherding occupations in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The DOL is taking this action because of issues regarding the wage finding process in these states. New data for these occupations will be collected and will be reviewed to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

The American Sheep Industry Association joined with the Western Range Association as plaintiffs in a legal action filed in Nevada in January that prompted this announcement. 
The Federal Register is available at  www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-28/html/2013-07201.htm .