 IMMIGRANT SHEPHERDS IN CALIFORNIA WIN WAGE INCREASE
Migrant shepherds in California on H-2A agricultural worker visas are demanding increased pay and better working conditions. They are paid $ 900 a month, and many live in small campers without running water or electricity. Advocates argue that because the shepherds are required to be on call 24 hours a day, their pay amounts to about an hour. They were seeking a raise to $ 2,060 a month, and demanded housing inspections.
Ranchers said that the increased costs could force them out of business, particularly when combined with the already shrinking sheep-herding industry in the US. In 1980, there were 1.2 million sheep in California. Today, the number is closer to 800,000.
Last week, shepherds and ranchers met before the Industrial Welfare Commission in Sacramento to discuss the matter. The Commission became involved after being contacted by an attorney with Central California Legal Services who had spent more than 10 years dealing with shepherds. Two shepherds told him that they were fired after asking for increased wages. This prompted a more thorough investigation. Of the 41 shepherds he surveyed, 90 percent had never had a day off, and less than 5 percent had toilets and running water.
The Commission ordered a 33 percent pay raise, to $ 1050 a month, which will again rise to $ 1200 in July 2002, but did not order any changes in the shepherds’ working conditions. Advocates said that it was better than nothing, but maintain that the shepherds are still grossly underpaid. Despite this, shepherds in California are better paid than those in any other state. In Arizona the monthly wage is $ 650, while in Utah it is $ 750. Ranchers are concerned that the victory in California will lead to similar complaints in other states.
| 
