Washington, D.C. – November 5, 2015 – The H-2B Workforce Coalition, an alliance of more than 40 various industry associations focused on protecting American workers by ensuring American small and seasonal employers have access to legal short-term temporary employees during peak business periods, issued the following statement supporting H.R. 3918, the Strengthen Employment and Seasonal Opportunities Now Act, which was introduced by Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md.), and Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD (R-La.). The legislation would reform the H-2B temporary non-agricultural visa program and provide business owners with the certainty they need to hire seasonal workers in high demand. The House bill was introduced on the heels of similar legislation introduced in the Senate earlier this week by Senators Tillis, Mikulski, Cassidy and Warner.
“The SEASON Act is balanced and common sense legislation that will restore clarity and predictability for the landscape industry and others relying on the H-2B program. Our national association, AmericanHort, my colleagues across Maryland, and I join in thanking Representative Andy Harris, and Reps. Chabot, Goodlatte and Boustany, for their leadership,” said Alan Jones of Manor View Farm, Maryland.
“As a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals and employer who relies on H-2B workers to fill seasonal vacancies when I cannot find American workers, I am extremely grateful to House Judiciary Chairman Goodlatte and Reps. Chabot, Harris and Boustany for introducing the SEASON Act. The bill will right the uncertainties and frustration that have plagued the program for the past several years, allowing me to grow my company and expand my American workforce,” said Virginia-based James River Grounds Management President and CEO Maria Candler.
“Forest industry is this country’s seventh largest manufacturing sector, and without H-2B treeplanting workers from Central America and Mexico supporting it, we would not be able to fulfill our sustainability commitment,” stated Forest Resources Association President, Deb Hawkinson. “We commend everything Congressmen Chabot, Goodlatte, Harris, Boustany and other leaders have done with this bill. We need a practical H-2B program, providing protection to workers while removing obstacles and restoring flexibility to contractors.”
“The hotel industry has seen five years of economic growth, which is attributable in many ways to the hardworking employees and workforce that run and operate our lodging facilities, especially during peak tourism seasons,” said Brian Crawford, vice president of Government and Political Affairs at the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Co-Chair of the H-2B Workforce Coalition. “First and foremost, hotel industry employers look to the U.S. workforce to fill critical job functions during high-demand seasons, but in many cases across the country those workers are simply not available. The H-2B program provides clarity and much-needed reforms to the H-2B program in order to ensure our communities remain vibrant and our business running and provide American employers the tools they need to recruit workers for temporary employment in this country. We thank Representatives Chabot, Goodlatte, Harris, and Boustany for introducing this important legislation and look forward to its swift passage.”
To learn more about the H-2B Workforce Coalition, please visit our website.
