A federal court has ordered Grimmway Enterprises Inc., a major agricultural company based in California, to pay $427,456 in back wages and penalties after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor found violations of the H-2A agricultural program at its operations in south Washington.
The Wage and Hour Division determined that Grimmway failed to pay the correct adverse effect wage rate to both H-2A temporary workers and corresponding U.S. workers. The investigation also uncovered safety and health violations related to worker housing and transportation. In addition, employees were not informed about their required work hours, job duties, or eligibility for overtime pay.
On June 30, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington entered a consent judgment requiring Grimmway to pay $207,456 in back wages and $220,000 in civil money penalties. The court also prohibited further violations of the H-2A program by the employer.
Under the order, Grimmway must now ensure all workers hired under the H-2A program receive proper wages. The company is also required to provide safe transportation and housing that meets all safety standards, only allow authorized drivers to transport workers, supply detailed contracts outlining job descriptions and duties to all employees, and train managers as well as staff responsible for administering the H-2A program.
“Agricultural workers are a vital part of maintaining the U.S.’s food supply and often work under physically grueling conditions. As one of the largest producers of carrots in the country, Grimmway Enterprises has a responsibility to ensure that all of their employees have a safe, sanitary working environment and are paid their rightfully earned wages,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Thomas Silva in Seattle. “We urge employers in this industry to review their employment practices and ensure they are in full compliance with the laws. The Wage and Hour Division is committed to protecting farm workers, holding employers who violate wage laws accountable, and maintaining a level playing field for employers who follow the law.”
Grimmway Enterprises operates across California, Washington, and several southeastern states where it grows, packs, and ships various fruits and vegetables.
The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division provides resources such as an agriculture compliance assistance toolkit for employers seeking guidance on legal requirements. Employers or workers can contact the division at 1-866-4-US-WAGE (487-9243). More information is available online through tools like a searchable database for back wages owed (https://webapps.dol.gov/wow/) as well as a free Timesheet App (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/timesheet-app) for Android or iOS devices designed to help track hours worked accurately.
