Immigration

CMAA Supports Sound Immigration Reform

CMAA has been at the forefront of the immigration reform discussions and has partnered with the many Associations who feel strongly about the threat to the workforce of our businesses. We have had numerous meetings with our peers and have continued to collectively push our elected officials in Congress to address this issue from the perspective of small businesses who will be impacted by any legislation that may get passed. Our coalition represents millions of hourly workers and is strongly supported by the US Chamber and the Committee of 100.

H-2B Visas: Facing Scrutiny in 2011

H-2B Visa Wages Increase for 2012 (From February 2011 Legislative Report )

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has revised the calculations used to establish wages for H-2B workers beginning January 1, 2012. The final rule requires employers to pay a “wage that meets or exceeds the highest of the following: the prevailing wage, the federal minimum wage, the state minimum wage or the local minimum wage.” The prevailing wage is based on the highest of three measures: wages established under a collective bargaining agreement; a wage rate established under the Davis-bacon Act or the Service Contract Act for the occupation in the area of intended employment; or the average wage rate set by the Occupational Employment Statistics wage survey for that occupation in the specific geographic area. Read more.  

Proposed Rule Change for H-2B Visas (From April 2011 Legislative Report)

The US Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued a proposed rule to improve the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program. The rule would require employers to provide documentation that they have taken appropriate steps to recruit US workers rather than permitting employers to attest to such compliance. The DOL is accepting comments on the proposed rule on or before May 17, 2011. Comments may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov referencing Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 1205-AB58. Read more.