American Farm Workers Sue Vidalia Onion Growers for not Paying Minimum Wage
Americans claim the grower paid less than minimum wage, transported them in vehicles without seast, and paid the Americans less than foreign guestworkers on H-2A visas.
LYONS, GA: On Friday, April 12, four American farmworkers together with 16 former co-workers sued Stanley Farms, LLC and its managers. The Stanleys cultivate about 1,200 acres of Vidalia onions, or one in ten of all Vidalia onions grown, and hire more than two hundred seasonal farm workers. Our clients allege that in each of the last three years the Stanleys ran an operation which paid less than minimum wage, caused illegal wage deductions and transportation in unsafe vehicles. The complaint also alleges that the Americans worked alongside foreign H-2A workers who were offered higher wages. At the start of this year’s Vidalia onion season, the suit is a reminder of the labor and workplace abuses prevalent in the Vidalia onion industry. Stanley Farms is an integrated grower, packer, processor and shipper of Vidalia onions and has been featured on the Food Network.
