Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia has joined a coalition of 23 state attorney generals in calling on the U.S. Department of Labor to abandon a proposed rule change that would allow foreign agricultural workers in the country to form unions. The coalition argues that this rule change would prioritize the interests of foreign workers over American citizens.
In a public comment letter, Attorney General Miyares expressed his concern about the proposed rule change, stating, "It adds insult to injury seeing our own federal government proposing a rule change that focuses on 'benefiting' foreign nationals while high inflation and interest rates continue leaving American workers struggling to get by. Without congressional approval, the Biden Administration's proposed rule change carries no legitimacy."
The coalition's letter emphasizes that Congress has already made its stance clear on this issue by excluding all farmworkers from collective bargaining protections. Therefore, granting unionization rights to migrant workers would be against the law. The letter states, "Congress has already spoken on the issue... There is no ambiguity in that."
Attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah have also signed on to the letter.
The coalition's argument is that the Biden Administration's proposed rule change undermines the rights and interests of American workers, who are already facing economic challenges. By prioritizing the unionization rights of foreign workers without congressional approval, the Department of Labor is overstepping its authority.
Attorney General Miyares and his fellow attorneys general believe that this proposed rule change should be dropped and urge the U.S. Department of Labor to reconsider its priorities. The letter concludes by emphasizing the importance of upholding the rights and welfare of American workers.
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To read the full letter, click here.
The Office of the Attorney General can be reached at 202 North 9th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. The main line is 804-786-2071, and the fax number is 804-786-1991. The Virginia Relay Service can be contacted at 800-828-1120.
To find out more, go to this link: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/2644-november-15-2023-attorney-general-miyares-demanding-biden-administration-drop-rule-that-prioritizes-migrant-workers-over-american-workers