After weeks of grassroots planning and politicking, PLANET has announced the introduction of legislation addressing the H-2B issue. In a news release on the PLANET Web site, the organization notes that hard work of members who contacted Congress and lobbied for H-2B reform has paid off. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), along with 15 other senators introduced the "Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act” (S.352) on Feb. 10.
According to the news release, a bill of the same name has bee introduced to the House of Representatives. “In order to get this bill through the senate, the house and onto the President’s desk for a signature in the next 30 days, an even greater grassroots effort is needed,” PLANET says, offering the following information on how businesses owners and managers can participate in the H-2B reform effort:
THROUGH FEB. 19:
E-mail and Fax your U.S. representative and your U.S. senators. Visit www.landcarenetwork.org and click on the first “Legislative” link to access form letters for this effort. The release notes, however, that “personal letters are much more meaningful, so feel free to edit the form letter and add personal information on how the lack of H-2B workers impacts your business.” After sending letters via e-mail, participants are encouraged to print the letter on their company’s letterhead and fax it to the congressional offices, as well, to create a hardcopy document that includes the company’s fax number.
Call your representatives and senators and ask to speak to the staff person in charge of immigration issues. Express the urgent need for Congress to pass this bill and encourage them to cosponsor the “Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses” legislation.
Write to your governor and call his or her office and speak to the staff person in charge of immigration issues. Ask the governor to encourage the White House and Congress to immediately address the H-2B crisis.
Motivate your employees to personally contact their representatives and senators also. The lack of H-2B workers impacts them as well.
Talk to other employers and suppliers in your area and motivate them to call and write to Congress, as well.
”Remember: One phone call or letter is not enough,” PLANET syas. “We must continue to place pressure on Congress to keep the momentum moving forward behind this legislation.”
Additionally, the organization has deemed the week of Feb. 20 “PLANET’s H-2B Lobby Week.” Additional information about this event is forthcoming, though PLANET notes that the week will be focused on having industry contractors personally meet with senators and representatives during the time that they are in their districts. Contractors should call their representatives’ offices to request appointments with them and bring allied employers along, as well. “If you cannot schedule formal meetings,” PLANET says, “obtain a schedule of their public events. Attending as many of these meetings and events as possible with your colleagues will show your senators and representative how important their support for this bill is to our industry.”
Additionally, the release says, “Congress will not take immediate action on this bill unless senators and congressional representatives continue to hear concerns about the issue from their constituents: You, your employees and other local businesses who use the program.”
Anyone participating in H-2B related lobbying is encouraged to provide feedback to PLANET on the outcomes of those meetings and activities, including any conversations with elected officials. For more information, please contact Tom Delaney, PLANET’s director of government affairs, by calling 866/831-1109 or sending an e-mail to tomdelaney@landcarenetwork.org