Inaction on Visa Returning Worker Extension Threatens Industries

RISMEDIA, Dec. 3, 2007-As representatives of the green industry from throughout America prepare to travel to Capitol Hill on December 5 to press for an extension of the H-2B visa returning worker extension, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) released figures this week showing the dramatic economic impact that could result if Congress does not act quickly. Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and John Warner (R-Va.) have tried once again this year to extend the returning worker provision under the H-2B visa program for five years.

The landscape industry, a $43 billion industry, is one of many in the United States that depends on seasonal workers to survive. Companies throughout these industries face chronic shortages of temporary seasonal workers that Congress partially relieved through the H-2B program’s returning worker exemption. Unfortunately, this provision, which rewards those companies and individuals who follow the law, expired on September 30 despite widespread bipartisan support for its extension.

The program proposes exempting returning seasonal workers from counting against the national cap of 66,000 people. A cap exemption was added three years ago but the clause expired on September 30, a day before the new fiscal year (which began on October 1). The cap exemption is typically met within the first months of the fiscal year. In the past, the cap has been met by January, leaving many lawn and landscape businesses without the workers they need for their crucial spring season. There are stringent rules on advertising these jobs to Americans, and companies must work diligently to try to fill these positions with American workers before they are opened up to guest workers.

It is estimated that 2.5 American jobs are tied to each H-2B seasonal worker.

“It’s not just companies in our industry and the communities they serve who are suffering,” said Tom Delaney, PLANET’s director of government affairs. “The H-2B disaster also puts at risk the welfare of American workers and their families. And, as significantly, Congress’ failure to act is placing in jeopardy American jobs at truck assembly and equipment manufacture plants and other companies that support and supply our industry.”

In Cleveland, Ohio, Wheeler Landscaping, Inc. is dependent upon H-2B workers. Jose Pedroza, from Morelos, Mexico is one of those workers. Pedroza points out that, through working with the H-2B program at Wheeler Landscaping, in nine months he earns what he would earn in two years in Mexico. “It is good pay and good working conditions,” states Pedroza. He sends his money back home to his wife and daughter and, while nine months of separation is hard on his family, Pedroza thinks that the earnings are well worth it. While he is here, Pedroza pays U.S. taxes just as any working American citizen and he holds a passport, a U.S. work visa and an Ohio driver’s license.

PLANET estimates that the approximately 2,800 landscape companies participating in H-2B spend about $77.28 million annually just on landscape equipment. In addition, they spend approximately $115.36 million annually on fleet vehicles, $2.8 million on payroll services, $6 million annually on computers, $4.3 million annually on tires, and $13.6 million on cell phones and wireless radios.

“The H-2B users in the landscape industry have a large impact on the U.S. economy,” states Delaney, “If these landscape companies suffer, supplier companies will feel the economic downturn as well.”

“These figures show a big impact by themselves, but when multiplied by all the other industries that rely on the H-2B program, is indeed critical,” said Mary Wheeler. “Our local truck and equipment dealer told me that they are very concerned about this issue. If seasonal companies are forced to downsize or go out of business, what will happen to the jobs of automotive workers when companies cancel orders?”

Guest workers who have used the program before have proven that they will return home after their seasonal work in the U.S. is complete; eliminating the argument that increasing the number of H-2B workers will increase the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. In fact, the opposite is true. The H-2B program provides a means by which employers can legally access workers they vitally need.

PLANET, working in tandem with other industries impacted by H-2B legislative reform, is a key component in gaining extension of the program. Particularly since this program provides employment relief for one of the fastest growing industries in the nation-the lawn and landscape industry.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,200 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals.

For more information, visit LandcareNetwork.org.

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