Judge stops 50% salary for blueberry pickers for now

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – A federal judge has blocked the government from introducing a 50% pay rise for blueberry pickers.

Olympian reports U.S. District Court Judge Salvador Mendoza jr. The Labor Department temporarily halted the implementation of a July order to raise wages for pickers.

Zirkle Fruit southeast of Seattle sued to prevent the government from starting the new pay structure. The company was asked to pay workers 75 cents per kilo; workers received $ 0.50 in 201[ads1]8. The average hourly rate for blueberry pickers was $ 17.13 at the 50-cent rate, the company said.

The government notified Zirkle of the new pay rate on July 24, a day after the increase actually took effect.

Zirkle said it was blindsided by wage growth in mid-harvest. The blueberry harvest began in June and continues through September.

The injunction will remain in force until rescinded or the case is resolved under trial.

Meanwhile, Zirkle is required to deposit the difference between the old and the new salaries, as well as taxes, into a trust account.