Class-action suit could hinder H2-B program
A group of tree planters sued their employer, Eller and Sons Trees of LaGrange, Ga., for back wages and reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs because they say they were not paid overtime and often were required to pay for their own tools, visas and travel costs. USA Today reported that the Guatemalan national who brought the suit spent 6 winters as a tree planter in the pine forests of the South as part of the guest-worker program that is required under federal law to pay the prevailing wage for such jobs. A federal judge recently classified the case as a class-action lawsuit, so it now involves about 6,000 tree planters. It is drawing national attention as one of several legal challenges to the H2-B visa program, which admits 66,000 foreigners into the country each year to do temporary manual labor.
Methyl bromide users get reprieve
The Bush administration won international approval for U.S. growers to use thousands of tons of methyl bromide, a fumigant sometimes used in propagation beds between crops. The fumigant was banned under an international treaty nearly 2 years ago, except for uses deemed critical. At an international meeting in New Delhi, treaty partners approved use of just over 5,900 tons for those needs in 2008, said a spokesman for the Montreal Protocol, which works to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer.
Globalized chemical identification methods urged
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is working with other agencies to develop a Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The system is aimed at having the entire world on the same page chemically. GHS includes synchronized provisions for classification of chemicals for health, physical and environmental effects, as well as for labels on containers and safety data sheets. GHS already has been adopted by the United Nations, which has an international goal for as many countries as possible to implement GHS by 2008.
Researchers get grant for turning plastic into fuel
Plastofuel is a new option for heating designed by engineers at Penn State University. Recycled plastic pellets are made from agricultural waste including pots, flats, pesticide containers, irrigation tubing and poly film. After a decade of experimentation into creating fuel nuggets out of unrecycled waste plastics and burning them without creating toxic emissions, a team of researchers at Penn State received an $87,395 grant from the Pa. Dept. of Ag. to ramp up their research. The energy value for Plastofuel is slightly lower than oil, but higher than coal and wood.
Border fence faces uncertain future
Despite President Bush having signed the Secure Fence Act (H.R. 6061) into law, authorizing the construction of 700 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, the barrier may never be built. The new Democratic-controlled Congress could halt fence construction. Bush has been an advocate of a comprehensive approach to immigration reform, which includes a new guest-worker program and an earned path to legalization for undocumented workers.
Worth a visit
Can you name the Top 12 unWanted Pests, as selected by our readers? We can! Check out No. 1 this month. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
PlantFind - the leading provider of technology solutions for the green industry - offers automated solutions to buy and sell everything needed to operate a growing business.
Something’s keeping you awake at night. You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. 3 intense days. 75 business changing sessions. 1000 green industry professionals.
|
