Vineyard Drops Case Against Labor Contractor

0:00A Washington state vineyard owned by the family behind the Vancouver Canucks is stepping back from a federal case against one of its former labor, contractors. Federal prosecutors indicted Harvest Plus in February for allegedly faking details on H2A visas for Mexican farm workers. The company supposedly listed approved farms that didn't need the labor, then sent workers to other spots in Washington and Oregon, including Aqualini. Vineyards back in 2022. Prosecutors claim Harvest Plus put workers in tough spots, like extreme heat without water, pesticide exposure without gear, and no proper medical care. They also say the firm underpaid people below the promised $17.41 an hour, stuck them in unapproved housing in Oregon that lacked kitchens and private rooms, and even charged $100 weekly for food and lodging. Aqualini vineyard says hiring contractors like this is standard in farming, and they checked Harvest Plus's credentials, including licenses, and insurance, before signing on.

1:06The vineyard paid the going rate with overtime provisions and had no clue about any wrongdoing. They recently passed a full department of labor audit with zero issues. No word yet from officials on whether Aqualini faces any charges themselves. The vineyard keeps growing grapes for other winemakers after shifting away from producing its own wine last fall. This case highlights the challenges in the seasonal farm labor world, and we'll keep watching for updates as it unfolds. That wraps Vancouver News today. Brought to you with AI.